Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Nile Rodgers And More Pay Tribute To Legendary R&B Musician D’Angelo
D’Angelo – the neo-soul singer best known for hits including “Brown Sugar” and “Lady” – died in New York City on Tuesday, October 14, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His family confirmed in a statement to Variety: “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.” “He was in hospice for two weeks but had been in the hospital for months,” a source told People. He was 51.
Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo got his start at New York’s Apollo Theatre in the early 1990s, finding success co-writing, producing, and composing the single “U Will Know” for the R&B supergroup Black Men United in 1994. D’Angelo released his debut studio album Brown Sugar in 1995, followed by his highly acclaimed sophomore effort Voodoo in 2000. Voodoo won a Grammy Award for best R&B album in 2001, with its third single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” also earning three nominations at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. D’Angelo’s third studio album, Black Messiah, which featured popular tracks like “Really Love” and “Sugah Daddy” came out in 2014 and also took home the best R&B album.
D’Angelo, who is survived by his three children, was working on his fourth album with singer-songwriter Raphael Saadiq at the time of his death. Beyoncé wrote on her website: “Rest in peace, Michael Eugene Archer, known to the world of music as the inimitable D’Angelo. We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry. You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed Rhythm & Blues forever. We will never forget you.”
Lauryn Hill, whom D’Angelo collaborated with on her “Nothing Even Matters” paid tribute to her friend, too. “People need reflection,” she wrote on Instagram. “I regret not having more time with you. Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God. You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others to action with your genius. Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.