Michael D’Angelo Archer, legendary R&B singer and pioneer of the neo-soul movement, has passed away at the age of 51, leaving behind a profound musical influence, per variety.com.
D’Angelo died on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.
The singer’s family confirmed his death in a statement: “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… We are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
Initial reports indicate he was battling pancreatic cancer.
Known for seminal hits such as “Lady,” “Brown Sugar” and the Grammy-winning “Untitled (How Does It Feel?),” D’Angelo was an elusive but brilliant figure in music. Born Michael Eugene Archer in South Richmond, Va., he embraced music early, learning piano from the age of three and playing in the church.
D’Angelo released three critically acclaimed albums over his career: his 1995 debut Brown Sugar, 2000’s Voodoo, and his most recent, 2014’s Black Messiah. His 1995 debut helped drive the neo-soul movement, fusing classic R&B with hip-hop influences and paving the way for artistes like Erykah Badu and Maxwell.
His sophomore album, Voodoo, a cornerstone of modern R&B, was the result of extensive collaboration with the collective known as the Soulquarians, including Questlove (who became a close friend and collaborator), J Dilla and Pino Palladino. The album’s lead single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” and its iconic music video, unexpectedly turned the musician into a reluctant sex symbol.
Following Voodoo, D’Angelo largely disappeared from the public eye for over a decade, a period of personal struggles and obsessive music creation, which he spoke of in Questlove’s recent documentary on Sly Stone, Sly Lives! In the documentary, he candidly addressed the immense pressures and “burden of Black genius” placed upon gifted Black artistes.
He eventually returned with the widely praised Black Messiah in 2014, continuing his soulful evolution and earning him four Grammy Awards over the course of his career. His final public performance appears to have been in June 2022.
Tributes have poured in from the hip-hop and R&B communities, with artistes like Jamie Foxx, Jill Scott, and Maxwell mourning the trailblazing artiste’s profound influence.
D’Angelo is survived by his son Michael Archer II, 28 (whom he shared with the late singer Angie Stone), daughter Imani and son Morocco.
•Featured image: D’Angelo/Paul Natkin/WireImage
