- Dec 8 Antônio Carlos Jobim [Tom Jobim], Brazilian singer-songwriter and composer (Getz/Gilberto), dies from pulmonary embolism at 67
- Dec 9 Garnett Silk [Garnet Smith], Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter (Hey Mama Africa; Greenline), dies in a house fire while trying to save his mother at 28
- Dec 9 Maureen Starkey [Mary Cox], English ex-wife of Beatle Ringo Starr, dies of leukemia at 48
- Dec 10 George van Renesse, Dutch concert pianist and music director, dies at 85
- Dec 10 Robert Blum, Swiss composer, dies at 94
- Dec 14 Mary Ann McCall, American singer, dies at 75
- Dec 15 Hans de Jong, Dutch conductor (De Damrakkertjes; Amsterdams Vrouwenkoor), dies at 86
- Dec 15 Harry Tobias, American songwriter, dies at 99
- Dec 16 Samuel Lipman, American pianist and music critic, dies of leukemia at 60
- Dec 19 Noel Pointer, American jazz violinist and record producer, dies of a stoke at 39
- Dec 23 Charles Shirley, American big band jazz arranger (Stan Kenton; Les Elgart), and alcoholism counselor, dies of a heart attack at 74
- Dec 24 Buddy Ace, [Jimmie Lee Land] American Texas blues singer, dies of a heart attack while performing at 57
- Dec 24 Nathan I. Daniel, American inventor (Danelectric and Silvertone guitars), dies of a heart attack at 82
- Dec 29 Eugene Tanner Jr, singer, dies at 58
Kendrick Lamar
Eminem
XXXTentacion
Tupac Shakur
Nicki Minaj
Coolio