Music prodigy and The Flaming Lips collaborator Nell Smith dead at 17

At just 17, Nell Smith became a world-renowned music prodigy.

Now, news of her death has left the music community reeling.

On Oct. 7, a post shared on Smith’s Instagram page confirmed her death. “It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” her family wrote.

“We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say,” her family continued. “She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years.”

“She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”

At the age of 14, Smith, who grew up in Canada, became a highly sought after collaborator, often working with The Flaming Lips.

(Warning: The link attached contains language some may find offensive.)

Wayne Coyne, the frontman for The Flaming Lips, announced the news of Smith’s death during a concert on Oct. 7. In his statement, he said Smith died after being involved in a car crash.

“Hold your kids extra tight tonight,” Smith’s family concluded in their statement. “And for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you.”

Smith kept people apprised of her latest work on Instagram.

In February, Smith teased her new album which was expected to be released in 2025 on Bella Union, the label run by the Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde, Rolling Stone reports.

Coyne, Smith and her dad, Jude Smith, became a trio after Coyne noticed Nell Smith dressed in a parrot costume while attending one of his concerts. She was 12 years old at the time, according to Rolling Stone.

This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 11:09 AM.