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See You at the Crossroads - As 2014 comes to an end, let's take a look back at some of the stars we lost this year who left an everlasting impact on the world of music.(Photos from left: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Martin Godwin/Getty Images, PNP / WENN)

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DJ Frankie Knuckles  - DJ and music producer Frankie Knuckles, lauded as the "Godfather of House" music, died March 31 at the age of 59. The pioneering DJ began his career spinning soul, disco and R&B music at New York City nightclub The Warehouse. He relocated to Chicago in the late 1970s and opened his own club, The Power Plant, in 1982. In 1997, Knuckles won a Grammy in the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical category, and in 2004 a street in the Windy City was renamed Frankie Knuckles Way. The next year, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. (Photo: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

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DJ Rashad - DJ Rashad, one of the pioneering figures in the style of Chicago dance music known as Footwork or Juke, was found dead on April 26. Toxicology reports stated that the 34-year-old producer died of an accidental drug overdose from heroin, cocaine and alprazolam (Xanax) intoxication.Born Rashad Harden, he toured with Chance the Rapper in 2013 and performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival. He was known for the single "Let It Go" and his footwork album, Double Cup.(Photo: Courtesy Backspin Promotions)

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DJ E-Z Rock - Rodney Bryce, popularly known as DJ E-Z Rock of the hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, died on April 27 at the age of 46.E-Z Rock and Base debuted in 1986 with "DJ Interview." Two years later, their single "It Takes Two" shot the duo to fame and sealed their place in musical legend. Rock and Base followed up the hit with a debut album of the same name and another big single, "Joy and Pain." The album was certified platinum in 1989, peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard 200.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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DJ Father Shaheed (Poor Righteous Teachers) - DJ Father Shaheed, of the New Jersey hip hop collective Poor Righteous Teachers, died in a motorcycle accident on May 26. The man behind the turntables for some of P.R.T.'s classics like "Rock Dis Funky Joint," "Shakiyla" and "Easy Star" was only 45. (Photo: BMG Records)

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Dr. Maya Angelou - Literary phenom, poet and grandmother to all, Dr. Maya Angelou passed away at 86 on May 28. Known for penning classics like “And Still I Rise” and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she also was highly respected throughout the recording industry. Dr. Angelou recorded a Calypso album in 1957 at the age of 29 and won two Grammy Awards for spoken word projects. In addition, she appeared on albums by the likes of Roberta Flack, Ashford & Simpson, Common and Kendrick Lamar over the years. (Photo: E. Neitzel/WireImage)

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Bobby Womack - Legendary soul man Bobby Womack passed away at 70 this year on June 27. The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is remembered for such classics as "If You Think You're Lonely Now," "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" and "Across 110th Street." (Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, file)

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Nicky Da B - Nicky Da B, a rising star from the New Orleans Bounce music scene, died on September 2 from complications related to an unnamed illness at the age of 24. Nicky, born Nickesse Toney, was most popularly known for his genre-bending vocals, fashion and music videos featuring Bounce culture.He was co-signed in his hometown by famed Bounce artists Big Freedia and Katey Red, with whom he performed, and came into his own fame with the 2011 release of "Hot Potato Style" and a 2012 feature on Diplo's "Express Yourself." He most recently released the song "Freaky B*****s." (Photo: Clayton Cubitt via YouTube.com)

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Gerald Wilson - Jazz musician Gerald Wilson played his final tune on September 8 when he died of pneumonia at the age of 96. With an illustrious career spanning more than seven decades, the jazz trumpeter played, arranged and composed for the likes of Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn and Bobby Darin.Throughout his career, Wilson earned six Grammy nominations, including recognition in 1999 and 2004 for best large jazz ensemble for "Theme for Monterey" and "New York, New Sound."(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Simone Battle - Gone far too soon, singer Simone Battle committed suicide on September 5 at the age of 25. Battle was a former X Factor participant who was mentored by Simon Cowell and also a member of the group G.R.L.(Photo: AP Photo/Casey Curry/Invision/AP, File)

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Joanne Borgella - Singer Joanne Borgella succumbed to a long battle with cancer on October 18 at the age of 32. After first hitting the scene on American Idol in 2008, she appeared in several reality shows, including NUVOtv's hit show Curvy Girls, in 2013, which she starred in until her fight became too much to bear. (Photo: WENN)

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Jimmy Ruffin - Motown vocalist Jimmy Ruffin died on November 17 at the age of 78. The R&B singer is remembered for hits like “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” and "Hold On (To My Love)." He was also the brother of the late David Ruffin of The Temptations.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Big Bank Hank (The Sugarhill Gang) - Big Bank Hank, one third of hip hop's first breakout group, The Sugarhill Gang, passed away on November 11 after a battle with cancer. The 57-year-old rapper, born Henry Jackson, first burst on the scene in 1979 spitting on the classic track "Rapper's Delight.(Photo: David Becker/Getty Images)

Photo By David Becker/Getty Images