Legendary R&B and soul singer D’Angelo has died aged 51 in New York City, after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
D’Angelo rose to fame in 1995 with his debut album Brown Sugar and worked with huge names like Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, and Snoop Dogg.
His death comes five months after the Untitled (How Does It Feel?) singer was forced to cancel his performance at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia.
At the time, the festival shared he had an ‘unforeseen medical delay’ after undergoing surgery earlier this year and had been warned he could ‘complicate’ matters should he perform.
In a statement shared by Variety, his family said: ‘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, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025.’
D’Angelo was a pioneer of the neo-soul genre, with his debut album often credited for helping to bring the sound to the mainstream in the 90s.
He frequently worked with the Roots icon Questlove, working on his album Voodoo for several years ahead of it’s release in 2000.
The star is also credited on the acclaimed 1998 debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and features vocally and on the piano in Nothing Even Matters.
His family continued: ‘We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.
‘We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.’
Tributes appeared online for the four-time Grammy winner, who secured two wins for best R&B album in 2001 then again in 2016.
DJ Premier, who produced ‘Devil’s Pie’, posted: ‘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.’
D’Angelo’s third and final studio album, Black Messiah, was released in 2014, but speculation that he was working on another was growing.
Raphael Saadiq told the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast last year that the Send It On singer was working on something new.
He said: ‘He’s excited … He’s working on six pieces right now and he seems super excited.’
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