Acclaimed House Music Singer Kim English Dead at 48

House music legend Kim English has passed away at the age of 48 from kidney failure. Vickie Markusic, English’s manager, told the Chicago Sun Times the singer had been dealing with kidney failure for five years and was on dialysis and awaiting a transplant.

News of English’s death was announced Tuesday by her record label, Nervous Records. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing tonight of Kim English,” the label wrote in a Facebook post.

“She had a unique ability both through her singing and songwriting talents to inspire people to dance and also celebrate the joys of God and religious. She was deeply religious and devoted member of the Family Christian Center in Munster, Indiana,” the statement continued.

The longtime Chicago-area resident was vocally trained at Kenwood Academy and began her career as a gospel singer.

Over the course of her lengthy career, English secured eight No. 1 Billboard dance-chart hits including “Missing You” and “My Destiny.”

English is survived by her a son, Christopher; her parents, Annie Joyce English and Ronald English; brothers Eric, Richard and Ronald Carl; and Layuna Hayes-Cooper, whom she considered a sister, the Chicago Sun Times reports.