D’Angelo was a legend. The world of music lost one of its purest voices on October 14, 2025. D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, passed away at 51 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His family confirmed the tragic news, describing him as “the shining star of our family,” while thanking fans for their love and asking for privacy. His loss leaves a deep silence in music, but his songs still pulse with the warmth, sensuality, and soul that defined a generation.
Raised in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo began playing the piano by age three and singing in church before becoming one of the most influential names in R&B and Soul music. His debut album, “Brown Sugar,” released in 1995, fused smooth R&B and hip-hop, while his sophomore project, “Voodoo,” released in 2000, elevated him to icon status. The steamy “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” made him both an icon and an unexpected sex symbol, a role he never wanted for himself, but one that made pop culture history. Despite his fame, D’Angelo stepped away from the spotlight for nearly a decade, making his mystique grow even stronger.
His third album, “Black Messiah,” arrived in 2014, proving why he was a music legend at that point in his career. The album earned him two Grammy Awards and cemented his status as an icon. His music influence can be felt in current musicians like Frank Ocean, Solange Knowles, Kali Uchis, Alicia Keys, Anderson. Paak, Tyler, the Creator, among other names. D’Angelo is survived by his son, born in 1998 from his relationship with the late singer Angie Stone, as well as two other children, a son and a daughter.