October 14, 2025
The influential musician died Oct. 14 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Michael Eugene Archer, the influential neo-soul architect known worldwide as D’Angelo, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, after a prolonged battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 51.
The Virginia native redefined contemporary rhythm and blues with just three studio albums spanning two decades, establishing himself as a generation’s most revered and elusive musical genius.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” the Archer family said in a statement, according to Rolling Stone. “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…We are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
Born Feb. 11, 1974, in Richmond, Virginia, Archer was raised in the church, where he first honed his skills as a multi-instrumentalist. His precocious talent quickly translated to the stage; at age 18, he became a fixture at the Apollo Theater’s amateur night, winning the famed New York competition for three consecutive weeks.
His 1995 debut, Brown Sugar, instantly made him a standard-bearer for the burgeoning neo-soul genre, blending classic R&B grooves with jazz and gospel complexity. The album, fueled by charting singles “Lady,” “Cruisin’,” and the title track, earned critical raves and commercial success, launching D’Angelo into the global spotlight.
Following a nearly five-year recording hiatus, D’Angelo returned with the atmospheric and deeply sensual follow-up, Voodoo (2000). The album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, cemented his reputation as a visionary. At the 43rd GRAMMY Awards, Voodoo earned him two trophies: Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Performance for the seminal hit, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” a song famous for its iconic, boundary-pushing music video.
After another extended break marked by well-documented personal struggles, D’Angelo staged a historic comeback with Black Messiah (2014), an album hailed as a modern classic for its charged lyrical themes and deep funk textures.
Tributes from the music community and fans poured in quickly following his death.
DJ Premier mourned the singer on X, writing, “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING.”
Dangelo is goneeee???? While Trump still here?????????? pic.twitter.com/adFG8o6XqV
— Ran🧕🏽 (@mariahfushimi) October 14, 2025
My sources tell me that D’Angelo has passed. Wow. I have no words. May he rest in perfect peace.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) October 14, 2025
RIP to the goat mane #dangelo #neosoul pic.twitter.com/ZR12B81YQN
— Learn Mo’ With Joe ❤️🖤💚 (@learnmowithjoe) October 14, 2025
Their son lost both his parents in the same year. #AngieStone #DANGELO 🙏🏾
— HeyGirl💕 (@heygirlfelicia) October 14, 2025
You wrote this a day before Dangelo died omg 💔💔💔 https://t.co/5jj4oA26UJ
— Dee (@lowkydee) October 14, 2025
Beyond his recordings, D’Angelo was recognized for his philanthropic efforts; a portion of the proceeds from his Voodoo II tour in 2000 was dedicated to the Magic Johnson Foundation, supporting scholarships for qualified minority students.
D’Angelo is survived by his three children, including his son Michael, whose mother was the songstress Angie Stone. Stone was tragically killed in February.
