Mark Stewart (English musician) Obituary

Mark Stewart was a founding member of The Pop Group and an English singer. Mark Stewart passed away at the age of 63 in April 2023.

News of his death was confirmed by his label Mute, who wrote: “In honour of this original, fearless, sensitive, artistic and funny man, think for yourself and question everything. The world was changed because of Mark Stewart, it will never be the same without him.” No cause of death has been given.

Mark Stewart is a post-punk and industrial hip-hop pioneer who has released music on On-U Sound Records and Mute Records.

Mark Stewart began his musical career as a member of The Pop Group in 1977, a band whose sonic experimentation, political conviction, and willingness to collaborate laid the groundwork for his later work.

The Pop Group disbanded in 1981. Stewart has since released several solo albums. Kiss the Future, a collection of his best work was released by Soul Jazz Records in 2005.

Mark Stewart’s music was unapologetically political, denouncing injustice, capitalism, and authoritarian cruelty while celebrating art as an escape – sometimes within the span of a single song, as with the Pop Group classic, We Are All Prostitutes.