D’Angelo, whose music helped define neo-soul, dies at 51

WASHINGTON — R&B singer, songwriter and producer D’Angelo, has died at 51 after a “prolonged” battle with cancer, his family announced on Tuesday. 

“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,” his family confirmed in a statement to Variety. “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.” 

D’Angelo is known for helping define the neo-soul era of the 1990s. He first gained attention in 1994 after co-producing “U Will Know” for the R&B supergroup Black Men United. His 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar,” which featured the Billboard hit “Lady,” was certified platinum and is widely credited with ushering in the neo-soul movement, alongside artists like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. 

His 2000 sophomore album, Voodoo, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned him two Grammy Awards, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” After a lengthy hiatus, he returned in 2014 with “Black Messiah,” which won Best R&B Album at the 2016 Grammys and was hailed by critics as a bold, politically charged project.

Earlier this year, D’Angelo withdrew from the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing “unforeseen medical delays” from a prior surgery.

D’Angelo collaborated with numerous artists throughout his career, including Badu, Hill and then-girlfriend Angie Stone, who inspired much of “Brown Sugar.” He leaves behind three children, including a son with Stone. Stone, a Grammy-nominated artist, tragically died earlier this year in a car crash in Alabama.

The family statement confirming D’Angelo’s death cited a “a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer” but didn’t provide further details. According to reports, including TMZ, D’Angelo had been battling pancreatic cancer.