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."