D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer and musician who helped usher within the neo-soul motion, died Tuesday after a non-public battle with most cancers, his household introduced. He was 51.
“The shining star of our household has dimmed his mild for us on this life,” his household stated in an announcement to a number of information retailers. “After a chronic and brave battle with most cancers, we’re heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, identified to his followers world wide as D’Angelo, has been referred to as house, departing this life right now.
“We’re saddened that he can solely depart expensive recollections along with his household, however we’re eternally grateful for the legacy of terribly transferring music he leaves behind,” the assertion added. “We ask that you just respect our privateness throughout this tough time however invite you all be part of us in mourning his passing whereas additionally celebrating the present of tune that he has left for the world.”
D’Angelo performs in Chicago on April 4, 2000. (Paul Natkin/Getty Photos)
Born Michael Archer in Richmond, Va., D’Angelo was the youngest of three sons of a Pentecostal preacher. He grew up enjoying music along with his older brother, Luther Archer. In 1994, they wrote and coproduced the one “U Will Know” for the R&B supergroup Black Males United, which featured Brian McKnight, Usher, R. Kelly, Boyz II Males and Raphael Saadiq, amongst others.
D’Angelo launched his critically acclaimed debut album, Brown Sugar, the next yr. His sophomore album, Voodoo, was launched in 2000 and is taken into account a genre-bending landmark.
It received the Grammy Award for Greatest R&B Album. And the sultry single “United (How Does It Really feel)” earned D’Angelo a Grammy for Greatest Male R&B Vocal Efficiency, whereas the tune’s music video — that includes a nude, slow-jam crooning D’Angelo — turned him into an unwitting intercourse image. (Critic Robert Christgau as soon as dubbed D’Angelo “R&B Jesus” and a greater performer than Marvin Gaye.)
It additionally drove him away from the general public eye, to alcohol abuse and ultimately rehab. In 2008, his former supervisor, Dominique Trenier, instructed Spin journal that D’Angelo was solely uncomfortable along with his intercourse image standing.
“I’m glad the video did what it did,” Trenier recalled. “However he and I had been each disenchanted as a result of, to at the present time, within the basic populace’s reminiscence, he’s the bare dude.”
After Voodoo, he didn’t launch one other studio album till 2014’s politically charged Black Messiah, which additionally received the Grammy for Greatest R&B Album.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of D’Angelo,” RCA Information, his longtime label, stated in an announcement. “He was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the traditional sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip hop sensibility.”
D’Angelo performing in Byron Bay, Australia on March 24, 2016. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Photos)
D’Angelo collaborated with quite a few R&B and hip-hop artists as a part of a free collective often called the Soulquarians, together with the Roots, Widespread, J.Dilla, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and his then-girlfriend Angie Stone, with whom he shared a son, Michael Archer Jr., a hip-hop artist who performs as Swayvo Twain.
Stone died in a automotive crash earlier this yr.
“I’m grateful to your ideas and prayers throughout these very tough instances, because it has been a really tough and unhappy yr for me,” Michael Archer Jr. stated in an announcement to Individuals journal on Tuesday. “I ask that you just please proceed to maintain me in your ideas because it is not going to be straightforward, however one factor that each my dad and mom taught me was to be sturdy, and I intend to just do that.”
D’Angelo additionally has one other son, Morocco Archer, and a daughter, Imani Archer, who’s a singer.
In Might, D’Angelo abruptly canceled a scheduled headlining efficiency on the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing “an unexpected” medical difficulty stemming from a current surgical procedure.
“It’s with the deepest of regrets that [I] should cancel my efficiency on the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia,” D’Angelo wrote in an announcement posted on the occasion’s Instagram web page. “However, on account of an unexpected medical delay concerning surgical procedure [I] had earlier this yr, [I’ve] been suggested by my group of specialist that the efficiency this weekend might additional complicate issues.”
He thanked his followers for his or her “continued assist” and added: “[I’m] at present within the Lab & can’t wait to serve Up what’s within the Pot! LOVE U All and can see you very quickly!”
‘A real unique’
As information of his demise unfold, fellow artists and musicians took to social media to publish tributes.
Beyoncé posted a observe on the entrance web page of her official web site:
Relaxation in peace, Michael Eugene Archer, identified to the world of music because the inimitable D’Angelo. We thanks to your stunning music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry. You had been the pioneer of neo-soul and that modified and remodeled rhythm & blues endlessly. We’ll always remember you.
“Gonna miss you a lot,” DJ Premier wrote on X. “Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING.”
New York Metropolis’s Electrical Woman studios, the place D’Angelo recorded Voodoo, posted a captionless picture of the singer to Instagram.
Flea, bassist for the Crimson Sizzling Chili Peppers, posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute, saying, “I by no means knew him however humbled myself earlier than his music.”
“This actually hurts,” Jennifer Hudson wrote on X. “We misplaced a real unique right now. It simply doesn’t appear actual!! It might’t be. D’Angelo, your voice will dwell on endlessly. Relaxation nicely, King!!!”
Actor Jamie Foxx posted a prolonged remembrance of D’Angelo to Instagram.
John Legend additionally posted a prolonged tribute, recalling how Brown Sugar modified his life.
Hip-hop legend Missy Elliott requested for prayers for D’Angelo’s son Michael Archer Jr.
Neo-soul singer Jill Scott stated that whereas she by no means met D’Angelo, she cherished and admired him.
