(October 14, 2025) We are devastated to inform SoulTrackers of the passing of 90s R&B great D’Angelo at the age of 51, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The D’Angelo Estate sent us the following 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 join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.
When D’Angelo arrived on the R&B scene in the mid-1990s, he didn’t just release an album; he sparked the neo-soul movement that took over modern music.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1974, D’Angelo grew up steeped in gospel and jazz. The son of a Pentecostal preacher, he showed musical promise almost from the time he could walk, teaching himself piano and immersing in the gospel traditions that would later shape his artistry.
After gaining early attention for co-producing “U Will Know” with the R&B collective Black Men United, D’Angelo made an indelible mark with his 1995 debut Brown Sugar. The album’s blend of classic soul warmth and modern rhythm made him one of the architects of the emerging neo-soul movement, and songs like “Lady” and the title track gave R&B a new, organic sound rooted in musicianship and emotion rather than studio polish.
Five years later, his follow-up Voodoo became an all-time classic. Featuring hypnotic grooves, smoky vocals, and daring production, the album debuted at number one and earned two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album. The single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” was a haunting, sensual gem—though its accompanying video made D’Angelo uneasy with his growing status as a sex symbol.
After years of personal struggles and silence, he returned in 2014 with Black Messiah, a surprise release that reaffirmed his genius. It won two more Grammys and connected his deeply spiritual soul music with the urgency of a new social era.
Across three landmark albums, D’Angelo reshaped the course of modern R&B—bridging Marvin Gaye’s emotional honesty with Prince’s fearless creativity. His influence echoes through artists like Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Frank Ocean, Anderson.Paak, and many more. The music world will be on hold today, as it mourns this brilliant, often elusive star.
