American soul musician Michael Eugene Archer, popularly known as D’Angelo, has died at the age of 51 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, several US media outlets reported on Tuesday.
The Grammy-winning R&B and neo-soul icon was celebrated for his rich vocals and genre-blending sound that redefined Black pop and soul music in the 1990s and early 2000s.
His family confirmed his death in a statement shared with Variety, saying, “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life. After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home.”
D’Angelo rose to fame with hits like Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel), whose iconic video made him a global star. The track also earned him a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, while his 2000 album Voodoo won Best R&B Album.
Known for his deep connection to funk, gospel, and jazz, D’Angelo was praised for his raw sound, improvisation, and analog production style. He often preferred long jam sessions and worked with notable collaborators like DJ Premier, Questlove, and Raphael Saadiq.
DJ Premier, who worked with him on the 1998 track Devil’s Pie, paid tribute on X, writing, “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’Angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep peacefully D. Love you KING.”
Music outlet Pitchfork described D’Angelo as a defining voice of the neo-soul era, noting his influence on artists across R&B and hip-hop.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was known for his private lifestyle, often retreating from the spotlight between projects. His albums, though few, were widely praised for their emotional depth and musical precision.
In 2016, he was featured on a playlist shared by former US president Barack Obama, alongside artists like Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, and Gary Clark Jr.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with Tyler, The Creator posting a black and white photo of the singer and The Alchemist simply writing, “Man. Rest in peace D’Angelo.”
