We’re heartbroken to report that Angelica Cob-Baehler has died after a sustained and spirited battle with cancer. She was 47.

A beloved figure in the biz and a highly effective exec whose skillset included PR, marketing, A&R, artist management and film/TV production, she interned at Elektra and began her career—shortly after graduating from UCLA—at Atlantic. She held key posts at Columbia, Virgin, EMI Music and Epic before joining Jeff Kwatinetz at Prospect Park and The Firm, staying with him through the company’s transition into Big 3/Prospect Park/Cube Vision.

She was instrumental in advancing the profiles of such artists as John Mayer, System of a Down, Kid Rock, Sugar Ray, Jewel and Offspring. At Virgin she played a key role in bringing in and developing the career of Katy Perry—and is credited with participating substantively in the A&R and creative direction of Perry’s hit debut, One of the Boys, and smash follow-up, Teenage Dream—and the two remained close thereafter. She rose to the title of SVP of Media and Creative Services for all EMI labels after the company merged with Capitol. At Epic she was appointed EVP Marketing and also participated in A&R, inking acclaimed hip-hop outfit Death Grips.

She also served on the boards of MusiCares, Generosity Water, The Thirst Project and other charities.

During her tenure with Kwatinetz she worked closely with Ice Cube, among other creators; she moved up to head of music at the company in 2016 but got her diagnosis a year later.

She openly shared her experiences, as she fought hard against her illness, with a large and loving online community. She’s survived by her husband, Chapman Baehler, and two daughters.

Tributes are pouring in on the socials, as person after person in the biz testifies to her generosity, authenticity, ardent advocacy on behalf of artists and colleagues, and seemingly boundless courage.

We’ll miss our friend Geli.

From Jeff Kwatinetz:

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Angelica passed away this morning after a long and devastating struggle with cancer. She endured operations, chemo, went to clinical trials, and fought in the words of her doctor, “more than anyone, male or female, I ever treated”. For a year she believed, as did I, that this was a test for which some greater good would reveal itself as being worth putting her through the pain and suffering. For now, she is at peace and in the end was at peace with the choice god had made for her. Her husband CHAPMAN was so remarkable through it all; I only hope I could be as strong as he was for his family and for her if I ever have to step up like I’ve never seen anyone step up for a loved one before. She leaves behind two young children as well as an amazing amount of friends who loved her dearly. I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone quite like her. She was truly so special, so loving, so caring... she was so proud of the work she did but also of the family she assembled. I don’t understand it frankly...she was such a great soul that I cannot understand how this could happen. Until just a couple weeks ago I was certain god was going to bestow a miracle and restore her life as she did not deserve this fate. She faced it with dignity and bravery I have not before witnessed. She and CHAPMAN will forever be an inspiration to me with the grace they fought for her, and for the grace they showed when the road ran to its end. I am numb bc it will take time for me even to believe this is anything more than a bad dream, but alas it is actually true. She was passionate about art, politics, making the world a better place, and being a real friend to people like me who needed her in my life, and I will never go a day without thinking of her.

It’s easy to say take this lesson to appreciate life more and that’s what she would and DID say to me. Work less, live Morè with your real group of friends and family. But for now I’m so angry bc it’s so wrong. With all the things I did to put my life in jeopardy for many years, she was not the one of the two of us that deserved to die at such a young age. She was so overjoyed at my wedding, at the birth of my baby girl... she truly gave love to me and to the world. If I somehow am welcomed into heaven one day, I will certainly demand that god has some explaining to do, bc this makes no sense to me.

As someone who has worked with talent and used to not being appreciated for belief and commitment, I do want to say that the artist she brought to the world, Katy Perry, was magnificent to her when she became sick. Katy did remarkable things and stepped up for her friend Angelica. I don’t know Katy but I love her so dearly for being that rare person that didn’t forget someone who believed in her and fought for her. That too inspired me.

She loved ice cube. For a legend and icon of his stature to show her love and warmth and appreciate her warmed her heart so much.

She loves her children and family. She will continue to love them and guide them from above I am certain.

I hurt tonight as I’ve been hurting for weeks, months, and a year that my true and loyal friend had to endure the pain she randomly was given.

Yet, I am so thankful that some greater force put her in my life so I could experience the best in human kind. But I cannot help but feel robbed of sharing the future plans and dreams we spoke about embarking on together. I understand part of life is death but this one is wrong. I can’t help but think there was some idea, some plan, some solution that if I had just thought harder would’ve come up with to help save her. I hate that this happened. I cannot explain it. But I do know she cherished life and she lived. We will all die someday but some of us never actually live. Angelica lived a full life. She made her time on earth count. It is us that lose with her passing.

Angelica I love you. CHAPMAN I love you.

Jeff Kwatinetz