D'Angelo Dead at 51: Grammy-Winning Soul Music Icon Passes After Cancer Battle

D’Angelo, the Grammy Award-winning R&B soul singer, has died. He was 51.

via: Daily Mail

The Daily Mail has confirmed that the Grammy-winning star, best known for hits including Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel), passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The singer is survived by two sons - 27-year-old Michael D'Angelo Archer II and 15-year-old Morocco Archer - and a 26-year-old daughter Imani Archer as the mother of his first son, R&B star Angie Stone, died tragically in a car accident at 63 in March of this year.

A representative for the artist released a statement to the Daily Mail which began: 'It is with profound sadness and the heaviest of hearts that I confirm the passing of Michael D'Angelo Archer.

'D'Angelo passed away earlier today, October 14, 2025, in New York City. He was 51 years old.'

The rep indicates that there will be an official statement on the musician's passing in the coming days along with an announcement regarding his memorial services.

They wrote: 'This is a monumental loss, not only for his family and loved ones but for the millions around the world who were touched by his revolutionary artistry.

'D'Angelo was a genius, a force of nature whose music shifted the landscape of soul and R&B. More importantly, he was a cherished son, brother, and friend whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.'

The statement also says that the family are in the initial stages of 'immense grief' and they ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.

Meanwhile, the family also released a statement which read: '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.'

His daughter Imani took to Instagram to pay tribute to her famous dad on her own by sharing a sweet picture him playing the guitar as she sat next to him and smiled.

Many other celebrities also paid tribute to the soul icon including Flavor Flav, Jill Scott, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Hudson, and Jamie Foxx, who wrote a lengthy tribute.

D'Angelo won four Grammys including Best R&B Album for Voodoo in 2001 and Black Messiah in 2016.

What is pancreatic cancer? 

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar.

The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This type begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

Your health care team considers the extent of your pancreatic cancer when creating your treatment plan. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a mix of these.

SOURCE: The Mayo Clinic

In addition to the mother of his child, Stone, he also worked with iconic R&B singers Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.

He also collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Q-Tip.

The star also scored Best R&B Song in 2016 for Really Love and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for Untitled (How Does It Feel).

The 2000 music video for Untitled (How Does It Feel) is also one of the most iconic from the genre as it featured the singer fully naked while singing solo against a black background.

However, the fame was not easy on the star as he became increasingly uncomfortable with his growing status as a sex symbol during that time.

This resulted in numerous personal struggles, including alcoholism, which limited his musical outfit for several years.

His last album Black Messiah was released after a decade of the artist being out of the public eye. The record, joint credited with his band The Vanguard, was released in December 2014 to critical acclaim and made several year's best album lists.

It debuted at No. 5 on the US Billboard Charts in addition to No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list as it sold over 117,000 units in its first week.

D'Angelo also became a big hit among video game fans in 2018 as he recorded a song - titled Unshaken - for iconic sequel Red Dead Redemption II and even served as a playtester for the videogame's development due to his love for the Western action-adventure game series from Rockstar Games.

The star also appeared to be on the verge of making a music comeback as collaborator Raphael Saadiq told the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast in September 2024 that D'Angelo was working on releasing a new album.

The 59-year-old Tony! Toni! Toné! member said at the time: 'He's excited ... He's working on six pieces right now and he seems super excited.'

Meanwhile, last month D'Angelo's son Michael D’Angelo Archer II AKA Swayvo Train and Angie's other daughter Diamond Stone filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Gwinnett County, Georgia, naming the drivers involved, a trucking company, and even the truck’s manufacturer.

Court papers allege that the 63-year-old singer initially survived the first accident - when the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van carrying her, her entourage, and her band flipped over.

Bystanders managed to rescue five of the nine passengers, but Angie was still inside when tragedy struck again.

According to the filing, a tractor-trailer hauling sugar plowed into the van, ejecting Angie and trapping her underneath.

In March this year the mother of his first son, the aforementioned R&B star Angie Stone, passed away after a horrific Alabama car crash which claimed her life.

She died at the scene.

In recent years, her relationship with D'Angelo was at the center of debate from fans as many accused Stone of grooming the father of her child as she was 30 and he was a teenager when they met.

The two had dated in the 1990s over four years beginning when she was 30 and he was 19.

They collaborated on D'Angelo's debut album released in 1995 which Stone also co-wrote and co-produced.