Singer D’Angelo (legally Michael Eugene Archer) known for hits like “Brown Sugar,” “Cruisin’,” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” has died on Tuesday (Oct. 14). His death was confirmed by his former manager Kedar Massenberg and other sources close to his family and has been attributed to a long battle with pancreatic cancer, per TMZ. He was 51.
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As the news began to make the rounds on social media, many fans were quick to express their shock and adoration for beloved, reclusive singer. His death comes just seven months after the death of fellow singer Angie Stone in March, with whom D’Angelo welcomed his first child, Michael Archer Jr ., in 1998. The singer’s family put out an official statement later on Tuesday, writing:
“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,” it read per Variety. “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.”
The “Send It On” singer first gained prominence in the early 90s after c0-producing the song “U Will Know” for then-group Black Men United, which featured artists like Usher, R. Kelly, Brian McKnight and more. But it would be his 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar,” that skyrocketed him into the mainstream. Thanks to aforementioned hits like “Cruisin’” and others like”Lady” and “When We Get By,” D’Angelo’s album would go on to become certified platinum with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked at number four on the Billboard Top R&B Albums charts.
Despite the album’s massive success, it would be a long five years until the music world got another project from him thanks to severe writer’s block. That sophomore project, “Voodoo,” was lauded by fans and critics alike, with some calling the album his best work and a “masterpiece.” While it contained songs like “Devil’s Pie” and “One Mo’Gin,” it would be “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” that catapulted D’Angelo from one to watch to one that ladies couldn’t ignore. This was thanks in large part to the song’s accompanying music video in which he appeared alone against a black screen nearly completely naked.
Unfortunately, going from a multi-talented artist to a sex symbol would prove to be a challenge for the Virginia native. Despite his professional successes, his personal struggles would be exacerbated by this new level of fame and would lead him to developing a drinking problem, straining his romantic relationships, putting a heavy on his working relationships and more. By 2005, he had checked into a drug and alcohol rehab clinic after suffering a nearly fatal car accident and arrest and pulled all the way back from music.
Fans wouldn’t hear from him again until his long-awaited return in 2014 when he dropped “Black Messiah.” As expected, the album received critical acclaim and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts that same year. In a shocking move, he would pop back up during the pandemic during Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s VERZUZ battles, for a “D’Angelo & Friends” set that was embraced by many.
Naturally, once fans got wind of the singer’s death, tributes began pouring in.
“Bro stop playing with me… not Angie and D’angelo in the same year?!?!” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“RIP D’Angelo, wow huge loss for the music this one hurts,” said another.
“The king of neo-soul. the music of my childhood up until now. such a talented legend of ours. my heart is beyond broken & i cannot believe.. may you rest easy d’angelo,” one other user added.
Said another: “one of the greatest artist, greatest talents of all time. Master alchemist. Soulaquarian. Brightest star. Natural mystic. Ultimate medium. One of the finest niggas to ever live. Whose music and presence can never die. wtf man. We lost D’Angelo.”
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