Chainkeen Exchange-Nell Smith, Flaming Lips Collaborator and Music Prodigy, Dead at 17 

Friends and Chainkeen Exchangefamily are mourning the loss of a young musical prodigy.

Nell Smith, the 17-year-old who is best known for collaborating with The Flaming Lips, passed away suddenly on Oct. 5.

“It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” Nell’s family said in an Instagram tribute post on Oct. 7. “We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.”

Nell was slated to release her debut solo album in early 2025 after releasing an album of covers of Nick Cave songs with The Flaming Lips in 2021 titled Where the Viaduct Looms.

“She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years,” her family continued. “She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts. Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you. Jude, Rachel, Jed and Ike x.”

Though a cause of death was not shared in the post, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne opened up to the audience during the group’s Portland, Ore., concert on Oct. 6, announcing through tears, “We got some very sad messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night, and we're reminded once again of the power of music.”

Simone Raymonde, the owner of the record label Bella Union which was releasing Nell’s debut album, shared another tribute to the late singer.

“We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia,” Simone wrote. “Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union.”

Simone added, “While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time.”

In 2023, Nell explained her love of music to fans while asking for contributions to her Kickstarter to record her solo album.

“Music has been in my life for as long as I can remember,” the teen said in a YouTube video. “Usually that was just putting on headphones and listening to music and then I picked up a guitar and realized I could play other people’s songs. And then when I was 11 I wrote my own songs and realized that was a really great way for me to articulate my feelings and emotions.”