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Whitney Houston has reportedly died at age 48. CREDIT: AP

R&B singer and former Atlanta resident Whitney Houston died Saturday night at age 48.

TMZ reports she was found unresponsive this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. People.com said she was going to be at Clive Davis‘ annual pre-Grammy party at the hotel Saturday night, though earlier reports falsely said she was going to perform. (Davis guided her career.) The party, the magazine said, featured tributes from Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Alicia Keys and Diddy.

Police are not sure how she died but TMZ Sunday morning said she was taking Xanax and may have fallen asleep and drowned in the bathtub.

The Grammys are planning a special tribute to Houston Sunday night including Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan, EW.com reports.

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Her incredible range and vocal skills wowed fans for years. But the ravages of drug addiction took a toll and in her most recent tour in 2009, she struggled to reach notes that used to come to her effortlessly.

Houston lived in Country Club of the South in Alpharetta with her then husband Bobby Brown for several years in the mid-2000s. At the time, Brown taped a Bravo reality show “Being Bobby Brown” which heavily featured Houston. (You can view clips on YouTube.) They were regulars in bars and restaurants around town, including The Palm in Buckhead.  But the tumultuous marriage came to an end in 2007. She reportedly sold her Alpharetta home soon afterwards.

Houston told Oprah Winfrey in 2009 that she decided it was time to divorce him following a birthday party she threw for him at a Buckhead nightclub when he spit on her. “I was horrified,” she told Winfrey. “He had such a hate for me.”

V-103 morning host Frank Ski, who interviewed the couple when times were better, said he felt profound sadness when he heard the news of her death. “It was like a family member died,” he said. “She was our superstar. She was the one who sang for kings and queens. When Nelson Mandela got out of jail, he requested her to come to South Africa.”

Ski is planning to a air a special live tribute to Houston on the station at noon Sunday.

The singer’s career spanned more than 25 years. Her self-titled breakthrough album “Whitney Houston” sold more than 13 million copies domestically with four massive hits, including “Greatest Love of All” and “Saving All My Love For You.” Her next album generated four more No. 1 songs, led by “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

In the 1990s, there were more instant classics. Her 1991 “Star Spangled Banner” is among the most celebrated. (Listen to it again below.) And her signature song became Dolly Parton cover of “I Will Always Love You” from the film she starred in “My Bodyguard.” That was arguably the pinnacle of a career that slowly deteriorated afterwards.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

Houston recently filmed “Sparkle,” her first movie in 15 years. It was due to air August 10 and co-starred “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks. Just yesterday, Hollywood Reporter said “The X Factor” had approached Houston to be a possible judge.

Last year, she had entered rehab.

In Mississippi tonight at a concert with New Edition, Brown told the crowd, according to AP: “I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”

“From what I heard,” said Silas “SiMan” Alexander, a host at R&B staiton Majic 107.5/97.5, “I think she was headed in the right direction of a comeback. It never came back the way she wanted but at least she was headed in that direction and this didn’t happen at her lowest point.”

When he spoke to me, he was at Echelon 3000 bistro in Stone Mountain hosting the radio station’s Saturday night party. They had begun playing Houston songs. “We aren’t going to sit back and revel in her death,” Alexander said. “We are here to celebrate the life and music of Whitney Houston.”

Kiss 104.1 is playing non-stop Houston music during the 9 p.m. hour.

Here’s an interesting take from a reporter who has interviewed Houston over the years and was supposed to talk to her tonight about her latest comeback.

The reaction from local R&B stars on Twitter was swift and heartfelt.

Usher: R.I.P Whitney Houston… A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV

Big Boi (Outkast): Rest in paradise

Ciara: RIP Whitney Houston. A Legend lost:( Her voice was insurmountable, her smile was illuminating, she was truly one of a kind and a huge inspiration to me. She has always had sweet and fun words to say to me. I will cherish the moment I was able to share with her, forever. This is truly unbelievable. My prayers and condolences to her family at this sad time.

Jermaine Dupri: I Dedicate my set tonight to Whitney,I will always love you

Keyshia Cole: Whitney??? Pls No!! R.I.P my beautiful! This REALLY hurts my heart!!!!

Kandi Burruss (”Real Housewives of Atlanta”): I can’t believe we just lost another legend. I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to work with Whitney. Its so sad. She later added this: This is the song I co wrote for Whitney Houston.#R.I.P. I still listen to it for motivation. RT! - Tell me no:

Keri Hilson: Watching the news now…it’s true. R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Ugh I hate that I’m even typing this…I’m shocked. She was my hero growing up.

Chilli of TLC: I can’t believe this news about Whitney Houston..I am so upset, i loved her very much and I’ll never forget her….another Angel gone 2 soon

Toni Braxton: My heart is weeping…RIP to the Legendary Diva & Icon Whitney Houston!!!!! Such an incredible influence over music as a whole!

Anthony David: ALL the girls I grew up with wanted to be Whitney- and I loved em for it.

More Tweets from other celebrities here.

Associated Press contributed to this story.

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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk