A Grammy-winning R&B singer is dead at age 51, according to multiple reports.
D’Angelo, best known for ‘90s and 2000s hits like “Lady” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” died Tuesday morning, TMZ reports. He had been privately battling pancreatic cancer, his family told Variety.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” his family said in a statement. “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. 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.”
The singer-songwriter and producer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, helped spark the neo soul movement with his platinum studio debut album, “Brown Sugar,” in 1995. He collaborated with artists like Raphael Saadiq, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Q-Tip, The Roots, B.B. King, and Angie Stone.
He became an even bigger star in 2000 with “Voodoo,” which won two Grammy Awards including Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song for “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The sexy song’s iconic music video, where he performed nude in a single shot, received frequent airplay on MTV and VH1.
D’Angelo won two additional Grammys with his third and final solo album, “Black Messiah,” in 2014, with The Vanguard.
The Virginia-born singer’s early career included work with the hip-hop group I.D.U. (Intelligent, Deadly but Unique) and the R&B supergroup Black Men United, which featured Brian McKnight, Usher, R. Kelly, Boyz II Men, Raphael Saadiq, and Gerald Levert. D’Angelo co-produced and co-wrote Black Men United’s “U Will Know,” which originally appeared on the soundtrack for the 1994 movie “Jason’s Lyric.”
GQ once hailed him as “the next Marvin Gaye.”
Archer’s survivors include two sons and a daughter. His oldest child’s mother, Angie Stone, died earlier this year in a car accident.
“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,” DJ Premier wrote on X.
“I told you a long time ago-You ain’t gon understand everything & everything ain’t meant 4 U ,nor I, to understand. I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I’m so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS,” singer Jill Scott tweeted.
“Man. Rest in peace D’ Angelo,” Alchemist added.
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