QTheMusic.com

The music world has been reacting to the death of singer Whitney Houston, who died suddenly in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon (11 February) in her hotel room at the Beverley Hilton.

The singer, who was expected to perform at a pre-Grammy party ahead of today's ceremony, could not be revived by paramedics and was pronounced dead at the scene, a cause of death is yet to be established. She was 48.

Reacting to the singer's passing, the music world has been paying tribute to Houston and here is a selection of what has been said:

Aretha Franklin: "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."

Mariah Carey: "I am heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."

Dolly Parton: "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song, and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed."

Bobby Brown (former husband who was speaking onstage in Mississippi as the news broke): ""First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage."

Simon Cowell: "You have to remember a lot of the people who are going to be getting awards at the Grammys, they owe an awful lot of their success, I believe, to Whitney, because Whitney was a trailblazer. It's a night she deserves to be remembered fondly."

Ludacris: "R.I.P WHITNEY HOUSTON. ONE OF THE PUREST SOULS I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE."

Usher: "R.I.P Whitney Houston... A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV"

Mitch Winehouse: "Amy, Etta, Whitney. Their music will NEVER die. What a great girl group in heaven."

Justin Bieber: "So crazy. One of the Greatest Voices Ever just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family."

Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney's passing... She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly."

Katy Perry: "We will always love you Whitney, R.I.P."

Rihanna: "No words! Just tears #DearWhitney."

Christina Aguilera: "We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed."

Tony Bennett: "It's a tragedy. Whitney Houston was the greatest singer I've ever heard and she will be truly missed."

Akon: "We've lost another Legend. RIP Whitney Houston. I'm honoured to have had the chance to work with such an amazing human being."

Smokey Robinson: "I've known Whitney since she was a little girl and I have always loved her. She was like family to me and I will miss her dearly."

Alicia Keys: "I feel sick.... Life is precious, we are fragile souls. Let's love each other! I miss you beautiful Whitney, the whole world misses you!!"

Cee Lo Green: "R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you."

William Shatner: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Whitney Houston."

Beyonce: "The loss of Whitney Houston is painful. I remember meeting Whitney for the first time when I was 15. She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman. Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone feel like they were very important to her. I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her. Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control. So many of my life's memories are attached to a Whitney Houston song. She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us. God bless her."

11:11 AM | 12/02/2012