The music world is mourning the loss of D’Wayne Wiggins, the iconic guitarist, producer and co-founder of the groundbreaking R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, who passed away on Friday (March 7) at the age of 64, per allhiphop.com.
According to a statement shared on his Instagram page, Wiggins had been privately battling bladder cancer.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” the statement read. “Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans, and his community. D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California.”
Wiggins was not only a musical pioneer but also a dedicated mentor and philanthropist, known for his passion for nurturing young talent.
“He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor, and founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!,” the statement continued. “He was deeply passionate about providing artiste development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.”
Tony! Toni! Toné!, formed by Wiggins, his brother Raphael Saadiq (born Charles Ray Wiggins), and cousin Timothy Christian Riley, revolutionised R&B in the late ’80s and ’90s. Their unique fusion of traditional soul, new jack swing and innovative production techniques produced timeless hits like “Feels Good” and “Let’s Get Down,” featuring DJ Quik. The group’s influence remains unparalleled, with a dozen singles reaching Billboard’s Top 10 R&B/Hip-Hop chart between 1988 and 1996.
