Soul Legend D’Angelo Dies At 51

Soul legend D’Angelo has died at 51.

Glamtush reports that soul legend and “Brown Sugar” hitmaker D’Angelo has died.

According to TMZ on Tuesday, Oct. 14, D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, died after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 51.

Confirming his death, the family said in a statement, “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 to join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

Also, DJ Premier, who collaborated with him on the 1998 track “Devil’s Pie,” shared a post via X on Oct. 14 confirming the news.

“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,” he wrote.

D’Angelo was one of the most widely revered artists of the past 30 years. He began his career as a songwriter for other artists, but he quickly asserted himself as a solo star with his 1995 debut, Brown Sugar. A key part of the Soulquarians, a loose collective of musicians, singers, and producers — Questlove, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, Q-Tip, to name a few — he was at the forefront of a movement that charted new paths in soul, R&B, and hip-hop while maintaining a deep admiration for the past.

His three solo albums — Brown Sugar, 2000’s Voodoo, and 2014’s Black Messiah — all earned critical acclaim and cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart, with Voodoo reaching Number One. His biggest Hot 100 charter was “Lady,” but it was “Untitled (How Does it Feel),” with its memorable one-shot video of a naked D’Angelo belting the track, that arguably became his signature song.

Nominated for 14 Grammys over the course of his career, D’Angelo won four awards, including Best R&B Album twice for Voodoo and Black Messiah. He also won Best R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and Best R&B Song for Black Messiah’s “Really Love.”

The Richmond-born son of a Pentecostal minister began playing the piano at the age of 3 and by 5 years old, he was playing the instrument with his father at church. A few years later, he began playing the piano at his grandfather’s Pentecostal church.

Growing up, he and his two cousins formed the group Three of a Kind and began performing at local talent shows. By 16, he formed another band called Michael Archer and Precise with his brother, Luther.

That year, D’Angelo landed a slot during Amateur Night at the Apollo, where he sang “Feel the Fire” by Peabo Bryson. While he didn’t win at the time, he returned to the stage the following year to perform “Rub You the Right Way” by Johnny Gill in 1991 and took the first place.

With his monetary prize, he returned to Richmond, bought a four-track recorder and started writing what would become most of the songs that made up his 1995 debut album Brown Sugar. He landed a record deal two years later.

Brown Sugar peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart went platinum within a year of its release.