NEW YORK, USA – R&B and soul icon D’Angelo, whose groundbreaking work helped shape the sound of modern soul music, has died at the age of 51 following what his family described as a “prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.”
Born Michael D’Angelo Archer, the singer-songwriter passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, according to a statement released by his family.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” the statement read.
“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.”
His loved ones added that while his absence leaves a void, his music remains an eternal gift.
“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,” the statement continued.
“We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all to join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
From Brown Sugar to Global Stardom
D’Angelo burst onto the music scene in the mid-1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar (1995), which redefined contemporary R&B with its blend of classic soul, funk, and hip-hop influences.
The album’s standout single Lady climbed to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1996, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks.
His follow-up, Voodoo (2000), propelled him to international stardom.
Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the album earned widespread critical acclaim and won Best R&B Album at the Grammy Awards.
Its lead single, Untitled (How Does It Feel) — accompanied by a now-legendary one-take video featuring a topless D’Angelo — won the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and became one of the defining moments of his career.
Tributes From the Music World
D’Angelo’s record label, RCA, paid tribute to the artist’s enduring impact.
“He was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip-hop sensibility,” the label said in a statement.
“D’Angelo’s songwriting, musicianship, and unmistakable vocal styling have endured and will continue to inspire generations of artists to come. Our hearts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Grammy-winning producer and musician Nile Rodgers recalled his first meeting with D’Angelo in New York City, describing an encounter that left a lasting impression.
“He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he’d brought with him,” Rodgers said.
“I listened to every cut … not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, ‘What should I do with it?’ I remember this as if it were yesterday. I said, ‘Put it out. It’s perfect!’”
A Lasting Legacy
Over a career spanning three decades, D’Angelo became one of the central figures of the neo-soul movement, influencing artists such as Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, and Frank Ocean.
His work bridged the timeless emotion of 1970s soul with the experimental textures of contemporary R&B.
His artistry — raw, spiritual, and deeply personal — redefined what Black male expression could sound and look like in modern music.
As fans and fellow musicians mourn his passing, tributes continue to pour in for a man whose music reshaped the landscape of soul.
D’Angelo is survived by his family, who said they hope the world will remember him “through the songs that moved hearts and healed souls.”
