D’Angelo, the legendary R&B singer who helped pioneer the genre of music known as “neo-soul” and is known for such hits as “Lady,” “Brown Sugar” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel?),” died Tuesday of cancer. He was 51.
The singer’s family confirmed his death in a statement to Variety. “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. 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.”
An elusive figure who burned bright in the spotlight, D’Angelo released just three albums throughout his career: his 1995 debut “Brown Sugar,” 2000’s “Voodoo” and his most recent, 2014’s “Black Messiah.” Yet he developed a vivid signature sound with “Brown Sugar,” marrying classic R&B tropes with hip-hop influences, before evolving into a more soulful and innovative aesthetic for the next two albums. He won four Grammy Awards and was a crucial figure in ushering the era of neo-soul.
Michael Archer II, D’Angelo’s son that he shared with the late singer Angie Stone (who died in a car accident earlier this year), said in a statement, “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times, as it has been a very rough and sad year for me. I ask that you please continue to keep me in your thoughts as it will not be easy, but one thing that both my parents taught me was to be strong, and I intend to do just that.”
Born Michael Eugene Archer in South Richmond, Va., D’Angelo embraced music early, learning piano from the age of three and playing in the church alongside his father, who was a Pentecostal minister. Throughout his adolescence, he performed locally in groups including Three of a Kind, Michael Archer and Precise, and Intelligent, Deadly but Unique (I.D.U.).
