R&B and soul legend D’Angelo died Tuesday from pancreatic cancer.
The singer, born Michael Archer, was 51.
D’Angelo’s label confirmed his death in a statement to HuffPost:
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.
D’Angelo played an outsize role in the ’90s R&B and soul scene, setting the tone with his 1995 debut album “Brown Sugar,” followed by “Voodoo” in 2000, and finally “Black Messiah” in 2014.
RCA Records praised the “known perfectionist” in a statement honoring D’Angelo’s accomplishments as “a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip hop sensibility.”
“D’Angelo’s songwriting, musicianship, and unmistakable vocal styling has endured and will continue to inspire generations of artists to come,” the label said.
The singer won four Grammys, including one for vocal performance of his hit single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” ― backed by an iconic, and not-entirely-safe-for-work music video.
The video was arguably too successful, characterizing him as the sex symbol of the moment ― along with the unwanted attention that entailed.
“Initially, to him, it seemed completely bonkers,” Dominique Trenier, his former manager, told Spin Magazine of the video in a 2008 profile. “He didn’t quite get what I was saying. He kept going, ’What do you mean, naked?”
“‘Untitled’ wasn’t supposed to be his mission statement for ‘Voodoo,’” Trenier added. “I’m glad the video did what it did, but he and I were both disappointed because, to this day, in the general populace’s memory, he’s the naked dude.”
Following the release of “Voodoo,” D’Angelo largely retreated from public view, uncomfortable with the attention. According to Spin, he sought treatment for alcohol and drug abuse in 2006, ultimately emerging in 2014 for his final album.