In a heartrending message posted to her Instagram page, Blige expressed her disbelief and grief over the legendary R&B music veteran’s death. Harrell passed away at the age of 59 from heart failure this past Thursday (May 7), according to the New York Times.

His death became public after DJ D-Nice relayed the news during an Instagram Live session the following evening.

“I don’t know where I would be if you didn’t believe in me. RIP @andreharrell...This can’t be real,” Blige wrote in an Instagram post on Monday (May 11).

Along with the message, Blige shared a throwback clip of an old talk show appearance. In the clip, Harrell praised Blige’s artistry, saying he watched her grow from a “young woman to a real lady.”

“Thank you for helping me and loving me until the last days of your life. Rest easy my musical father,” Blige continued in her post. “I will continue to do my very best to make you proud and continue to find joy and inspiration in your life and legacy. Another angel watching over me.”

The Uptown Records founder discovered Blige and signed to his record label in the late 1980s. She later became dubbed the Queen of Hip Hop Soul with the release of her debut album, What’s the 411?, in 1992.