Grammy-winning R&B and soul icon D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 following a battle with cancer, his family announced.
In a statement, they described the singer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, as leaving behind “a legacy of extraordinarily moving music,” urging fans to celebrate “the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
D’Angelo was widely celebrated as one of the pioneers of neo-soul — a sound that blended R&B, hip-hop, funk, and jazz into something uniquely timeless. Over his career, he released three critically acclaimed albums and won four Grammy Awards.
His hit single Untitled (How Does It Feel) became an instant cultural moment, largely due to its iconic one-take video, which featured D’Angelo performing shirtless in an intimate, slow-motion sequence that defined the era.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” his family said in a statement shared with CBS News.
Tributes have since flooded social media. Doja Cat hailed him as “a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.” Jennifer Hudson wrote, “We lost a true original today. D’Angelo, your voice will live on forever. Rest well, King!!!” Tyler, the Creator credited D’Angelo’s artistry as being part of his “musical DNA,” writing, “We are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art.”
Born in Richmond, Virginia, to a Pentecostal minister, D’Angelo taught himself to play piano at the age of three. As a teenager, he performed with several local groups and gained early recognition after winning the Apollo Theater’s amateur night three weeks in a row, which led to a publishing deal with EMI at just 18.
His 1995 debut album, Brown Sugar, marked his breakthrough, earning widespread acclaim and producing hits like Lady, which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success established him as one of the defining artists of the 1990s R&B and soul revival.
D’Angelo’s follow-up album, Voodoo (2000), earned him two Grammy Awards and cemented his place among music’s elite. But his rise was followed by a turbulent period marked by personal struggles, including alcoholism and a near-fatal car crash in 2005.
After nearly 14 years away from the spotlight, he made a powerful comeback with Black Messiah in 2014 — a politically charged masterpiece inspired by social unrest in the U.S. following the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
Through his distinctive sound and raw authenticity, D’Angelo reshaped modern soul music. His influence can be heard in the works of countless artists today, and his legacy as a visionary continues to shine long after his passing.