Chance the Rapper and Common Honor Bobby Caldwell in Instagram Messages

Members of Hip-Hop are sharing their memories and honoring the late Bobby Caldwell. Chicago emcees Common and Chance the Rapper hit social media to share their memories.

Common sampled Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes” for “The Light,” which dropped in 2000. Hitting Instagram, Common thanked Caldwell for his work.

“I can’t thank you enough!” Common wrote. “May God bless the soul of Bobby Caldwell!”

Also hitting Instagram, Chance the Rapper revealed a DM with Caldwell, where the late legend allowed a sample clearance.

This never happens. I’ve never received a message from an artist thanking me for sampling their record. This is a record that hasn’t even come out, and the legend himself reached out. I was so excited to meet you, I have not felt broken like this at a strangers passing in so long. You are a true legend and incredible person who I know I will see one day 🕊️ RIP THE GREAT BOBBY CALDWELL 💔

– Chance the Rapper

Blue-eyed soul legend Bobby Caldwell died at age 71. The “What You Won’t Do for Love” singer died in his sleep on Tuesday night at his home in New Jersey, his representative confirmed.

According to TMZ, Caldwell was battling illness for years. For the past five years, Caldwell was unable to walk and had painful bouts of neuropathy and a ruptured ankle tendon.

His wife, Mary Caldwell, issued a statement on Twitter:

Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years. He had been “FLOXED,” it took his health over the last 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my Love. -Mary Caldwell

— Bobby Caldwell (@bobbycaldwell) March 15, 2023

Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love” dropped in 1978, cracking the Billboard top 10 and powering his self-titled debut album to double platinum.

“What You Won’t Do for Love” is heavily covered, featuring renditions from Roy ayers, Michael Bolton, and lately, Snoh Aalegra. The single is also include as a sample in Tupac’s “Do for Love,” released in Feb. 1998.

The song was also sampled in DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “My Soul Ain’t for Sale,” “What They Do,” by 8Ball & MJG, “If I Could Change” by Master P, “Triangle Ship” by Terrace Martin and Kendrick Lamar, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” by Aaliyah and more.

Rest in peace to Bobby Caldwell.