Family Statement Confirms the Passing of Neo-Soul Legend D’Angelo at 51

The family of neo-soul icon D’Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer) has confirmed that the beloved artist passed away on October 14, 2025, at the age of 51, following a private battle with pancreatic cancer.

In a heartfelt statement shared with multiple outlets, including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, the family wrote:

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved son, father, and brother, Michael Eugene Archer—known to the world as D’Angelo. After a courageous and private fight with pancreatic cancer, he departed this life peacefully on October 14, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones. We thank everyone for the outpouring of love and prayers and ask for privacy as we celebrate his life, legacy, and the gift of his music.”

D’Angelo, who first burst onto the scene with his groundbreaking 1995 debut Brown Sugar, redefined the sound of modern R&B. His 2000 masterpiece Voodoo became a cultural landmark, earning him three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, and cementing his reputation as one of the most influential voices of his generation. His sultry sound—a fusion of soul, funk, gospel, and jazz—helped shape the neo-soul movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s, inspiring artists from Anderson .Paak and Maxwell to Erykah Badu and H.E.R.

Known for his soulful mystique, D’Angelo often shunned the spotlight, taking long hiatuses between projects. When he returned with Black Messiah in 2014 after a 14-year absence, the album was hailed as both a musical resurrection and a political statement, capturing the pain and power of a generation amid social unrest.

Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with tributes, calling D’Angelo a “genius,” “visionary,” and “one of one.” Questlove, his longtime collaborator and friend, wrote on Instagram, “The world just lost the groove. No one did it like D. No one ever will.”

A private memorial service will be held in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, with a public celebration of life to follow at a later date.

D’Angelo leaves behind a legacy that transcends genre—a sound that healed, moved, and defined an era.

May the Soul Man Rest in Power.

— Shalena Speaks