R.I.P. D’Angelo, R&B artist and neo-soul innovator

D’Angelo, the innovative R&B artist and one of the biggest names of the neo-soul sound that emerged in the ’90s, has died, according to a report from The New York Times. D’Angelo’s family said that the cause of his death was cancer. He was 51.

D’Angelo’s family said 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.”

Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1974, Michael Eugene Archer displayed musical talent early on, and at 18 years old, performed at the Apollo Theater’s amateur night in Harlem in New York City with his group, Precise. He began composing solo material shortly thereafter, and in 1994 released his debut single, “U Will Know,” as part of Black Men United. He released his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995, at age 21, which received critical acclaim as well as going platinum. It’s considered one of the most important albums in neo-soul.

D’Angelo released three albums in his lifetime, each of which was followed by a lengthy gap. His sophomore album Voodoo, considered his masterpiece, was released five years after Brown Sugar. It also went platinum, becoming a phenomenon on the strength of the lead single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, and its video, which saw him become a sex symbol. Yet it also had a damaging effect on his mental health, and he became reclusive after its tour cycle wrapped.

In the years that followed he worked on and off on his next album, which was finally finished and released in 2014. That album, Black Messiah, showcased more socially conscious lyrics written in response to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement that protested the killing of Black men by police officers.

D’Angelo won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2001 for Voodoo, and then again in 2016 for Black Messiah. He last appeared on the song “I Want You Forever” on Jeymes Samuel’s soundtrack to The Book of Clarence.