Grammy-winning R&B artist D’Angelo died on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the age of 51 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, confirmed by his family. Michael Eugene Archer, known as a neo-soul pioneer, succumbed to the illness after what his family called a prolonged and courageous fight.
In a statement, his family shared that “the shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life.” They expressed appreciation for the profound musical legacy D’Angelo leaves behind while requesting privacy during this challenging time.
D’Angelo made significant contributions to R&B music in the 1990s, helping to establish the neo-soul genre, which combined traditional soul with elements of hip-hop, jazz, and funk. His career started with the co-production of the 1994 single “U Will Know” by Black Men United, which reached number five on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was the son of a Pentecostal minister and showed musical talent early, teaching himself to play the piano by age three. During his adolescence, he performed in local groups such as Three of a Kind, Michael Archer and Precise, and Intelligent, Deadly but Unique. At 18, he won the amateur talent competition at Harlem’s Apollo Theater for three consecutive weeks, which led to a publishing contract with EMI.
His debut album, “Brown Sugar,” released in 1995, established him as a major influence in the music industry, staying on the Billboard 200 chart for 65 weeks and achieving platinum status. The album produced hits like “Lady,” “Cruisin’,” and the title track, earning him Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
D’Angelo’s follow-up album, “Voodoo,” came out in January 2000, solidifying his status as an R&B icon and winning the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City with a collective of musicians known as the Soulquarians, including drummer Questlove Thompson of The Roots, horn player Roy Hargrove, keyboardist James Poyser, bassist Pino Palladino, and producer J Dilla.
The third single from the album, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” became controversial due to its provocative music video featuring a seemingly nude D’Angelo performing the track. The video received four MTV Video Music Award nominations and heightened his image as a sex symbol, but D’Angelo reportedly became uncomfortable with this image and withdrew from the public eye.
After “Voodoo,” D’Angelo largely stayed out of the public spotlight for more than a decade, dealing with personal issues, including struggles with alcoholism. During this time, he made occasional guest appearances on tracks by artists like J Dilla, Snoop Dogg, Common, and Q-Tip. He also faced legal issues, including arrests for DUI and drug possession charges.
Fourteen years later, D’Angelo returned with his third and final album, “Black Messiah,” in December 2014, recorded with his band The Vanguard. The album earned him two additional Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song for “Really Love.” Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Voodoo” at number 28 on its list of greatest albums of all time, placing it above The Beatles’ White Album.
In his personal life, D’Angelo dated fellow R&B singer Angie Stone in the 1990s, who inspired his “Brown Sugar” album. They had a son in 1998 before ending their relationship in 1999. Stone died earlier this year in a car accident in Alabama. D’Angelo had two other children and was never married.
In May 2025, D’Angelo canceled a scheduled headline performance at Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic due to unforeseen medical complications from an earlier surgery. His doctors advised against performing, indicating it could worsen his condition. He mentioned in a statement that he was working on new music despite his health challenges.
RCA Records called D’Angelo a peerless visionary who seamlessly blended classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip-hop sensibility. The label noted that his songwriting, musicianship, and vocal styling will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
Tributes came from fellow musicians, including Beyoncé, who thanked D’Angelo for pioneering neo-soul and transforming rhythm and blues. Lauryn Hill, who collaborated with D’Angelo early in his career, praised his beauty and talent, noting that they are not of this world. Other artists paying respects included Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Jill Scott, Jennifer Hudson, and Tyler the Creator.
D’Angelo is survived by three children: Imani, Michael, and Morocco Archer. His son Michael, whom he shared with Stone, expressed gratitude for thoughts and prayers during what he called a very rough and sad year, noting that both parents taught him to be strong.
