Roy Ayers, the “king of neo-soul” and artist behind “Everybody Loves Sunshine,” has died. His family confirmed his death after suffering a “long illness” on social media. He was 84 years old. The family described Ayers to Variety as a “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.

The recordings of vibraphonist Roy Ayers are part of the foundation of contemporary R&B and hip-hop; Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and many others have sampled his work.