Detroit musician Joseph “Amp” Fiddler, known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 65. Tributes have poured in for the multi-talented singer-songwriter and keyboardist, who was also a mentor to Detroit hip-hop producer J Dilla and worked with big names such as Maxwell, Brand New Heavies, Raphael Saadiq, Slum Village, Carl Craig, and Moodyman. Fiddler was more than just a musician, however; he was described as a “global ambassador of funk, soul, and electronic music” and an “afro-futurist” by those paying their respects on social media. Notably, he introduced J Dilla to A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, which led to Dilla’s rise in hip-hop. Fiddler’s musical career spanned four decades and included his 11-year stint as keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, which he described as “amazing.” He released several albums, both solo and with his brother, and his legacy will continue to inspire musicians for years to come.
