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Nelson Mandela sadly died today in Johannesburg aged 95. Many stars of the music world have paid tribute to the former South African President, including the following:

Mandela was one of the great leaders and teachers of the twentieth century. He conceived a model for mortal enemies to overcome their hatred and find a way through compassion to rebuild a nation based on truth, justice and the power of forgiveness. His passing should reignite a worldwide effort for peace – Paul Simon

To so many of our generation, Nelson Mandela was both an extraordinary and inspirational human being. I am confident that nothing, including the sad news of his passing, will change that. It was an honour for us to have met him in 1990 during the final stages of a worldwide campaign that called out for an end to apartheid. His reputation may have been larger than life, but he seemingly remained humble throughout – Jim Kerr of Simple Minds

Nelson Mandela’s long walk has ended, but his path remains to light our way. Rest in peace – Carole King

R.I.P. Nelson… You were a One of a kind… My thoughts & Prayers are with his Family & Friends Today… x – Julian Lennon

Nelson Mandela you made your people proud!! We’ll always love you for it! – Rihanna

Rest in peace to one of our lifetimes greatest heroes! xo – Darlene Love

Incredibly sad Day. Today we lost the incredible Nelson Mandela. What a man what a life. Let us never forget what he did – Ronan Keating

The world has lost someone truly inspiring. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela – Enrique Iglesias

Nelson Mandela. What a difference one person can make. #RestEternally – LL Cool J

Nelson Mandela has passed but his legacy of freedom will live in our hearts and minds forever – Tony Bennett

Many musicians paid musical tributes to Nelson Mandela song both during his incarceration and after he was released in 1990. Among these were “Free Nelson Mandela” by the Special A.K.A. (1984), “Bring Him Back Home” by Hugh Masekela (1987), “Mandela” by Carlos Santana (1988), “Mandela Day” by Simple Minds (1988), “Freedom Now” by Tracy Chapman (1989), and most recently “Ordinary Love” by U2 (2013).

The Simple Minds track was written to coincide with the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday concert which saw many of the music world’s biggest acts perform in tribute to Mandela and in support of efforts to get him released from prison.

“Mandela Day” – Simple Minds

South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement of Mandela’s death live on television, stating:

“This is the moment of our deepest sorrow. Our nation has lost his greatest son. Yet what made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human – we saw in him what we seek in ourselves and in him we saw so much of ourselves.

We will always love you Madiba. May your soul rest in peace. God bless Africa.”