Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

R.I.P. Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell

Legendary music producer Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell passed away yesterday at 68-years-old.

He was a member of Motown’s The Corporation and half of the production duo The Mizell Brothers.

The cause of his death is unknown.

LA Weekly reports:

Mizell was recruited by writer-producer Deke Richards to join The Corporation, which also included Berry Gordy and Freddie Perren.

The production team was responsible for writing and producing The Jackson 5’s early hits, including “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”

After Motown moved to Los Angeles, Fonce and his brother Larry, aka The Mizell Brothers, moved as well and formed their own production company, Sky High Productions.

The first album they produced, Donald Byrd’s Black Byrd, for Blue Note Records label, launched a string of albums that helped shape the jazz fusion genre as well as lay the foundation for neo-soul.

Condolences go out to Alphonso Mizell’s family and friends.