R&B and neo-soul icon D’Angelo, whose music remade an age and inspired generations of artists, has died aged 51.
His death was announced by his family in a statement issued on behalf of his longtime label RCA Records.
“Shining star of our family has put out his light for us in this life,” the announcement read. D’Angelo died on Tuesday following a “long and valiant struggle with cancer.” The family thanked the people for their affection while calling for privacy, noting that fans should honor the ” profoundly moving music he leaves behind.”
RCA, in its own tribute, lamented the death of the visionary artist: “He was a peerless visionary who seamlessly integrated the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip-hop sensibility. His songwriting, musicianship, and unmistakable vocal styling will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Raised Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was the son of a Pentecostal preacher. His musical background was embedded deep in the church, where he started singing at a very tender age. At only 16 years old, he won the “Showtime at the Apollo” amateur night with his performance of Johnny Gill’s “Rub You the Right Way.” Two years after that, he relocated to New York City to become a professional musician, a move that he did against his family’s strong religious backgrounds.
In a 2014 GQ interview, D’Angelo spoke about the intersection of the sacred and secular aspects of music. “I learned early on that what we were doing in the choir was as significant as the preacher,” he said. “The stage is our pulpit, and you can employ that energy – but you have to watch yourself.”
His break was in 1994 when he wrote the hit single “U Will Know,” included on the Jason’s Lyric soundtrack. The track climbed to the Top 10 on the R&B charts, paving the way for his debut album.
A year later, D’Angelo released “Brown Sugar” (1995) – a trailblazing album that spearheaded the neo-soul movement by blending R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and funk. It went platinum, making him one of the most influential voices of the genre.
In 2000, he issued “Voodoo,” an album that garnered both critical and commercial success. Its lead single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel?),” became iconic – thanks in large part to its sensual video of a purportedly naked D’Angelo singing point-blank into the camera. The Dominique Trenier-co-produced, Paul Hunter-directed video was made to be intimate and personal. “We made this video for women,” Hunter explained to Spin in 2008.
Though the song and video won him Grammy Awards, they also exacerbated D’Angelo’s disdain for his public persona. He would later confess that he minded being seen as a sex symbol more than an artist. “I’m glad the video did what it did,” Trenier noted, “but he and I were both disappointed because, to this day, people remember him as the naked dude.”
Following his withdrawal from the limelight for more than a decade, D’Angelo returned with a dynamic vengeance in “Black Messiah” (2014), which was created with his group The Vanguard. The highly politicized album gained acclaim for its seriousness, social commentary, and musicianship.
A very private person, D’Angelo also cherished his home life. He had a now-grown son with fellow R&B singer Angie Stone, who sadly passed away earlier this year in March 2025 after a car accident in Mobile, Alabama.
In May 2025, D’Angelo had to cancel an upcoming Roots Picnic appearance in Philadelphia due to “an unexpected medical delay” related to surgery earlier this year. In his announcement, he wrote: “It is almost impossible to put into words how much I am disappointing myself for not being able to perform with my Brothers ‘The Roots,’ and even more disappointed that I won’t get to see all of you.”
With his death, the music world loses not just a talented artist but a cultural symbol whose legacy still shapes contemporary R&B and soul. D’Angelo’s voice, artistry, and bold creativity leave behind a legacy that has crossed generations – a testament to how deeply one artist can influence the sound of a lifetime.
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