Lenny Kravitz and Sean Kingston pay tribute to Nickolas Ashford

Lenny Kravitz and Sean Kingston are leading tributes to Motown songwriter Nickolas Ashford, who died on Monday (22Aug11).

The musician, who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote a string of hits including Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman, died after a battle with throat cancer.

Now Lenny Kravitz is leading Twitter tributes to Ashford, writing, "Left rehearsal. Heard Nick Ashford passed. A legend. My heart goes out to Valerie. My Lord, ain't no mountain high enough. Solid as a rock."

Meanwhile, Sean Kingston writes, "RIP NICK ASHFORD... Amazing Songwriter & Musician! Def Will Be Missed."

Singer Ashanti adds, "R.I.P Nick Ashford one of the most Soulful & Amazing Singer/Songwriters Timeless Classic Music.. Many Prayers & Blessings to his Family", and comedienne Sandra Bernhard writes, "My thoughts go out tonight to valerie simpson for her loss of the great nick ashford."