Grammy Award-winning R&B artist D’Angelo dies at age 51
Grammy Award-winning R&B artist D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 after a battle with cancer.
D’Angelo, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and producer who created the retro R&B sound that symbolized the neo-soul movement of the mid-’90s, has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 51 years old.
Michael, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, died on Tuesday, October 14, D’Angelo’s family confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement from a representative for RCA Records.
“Our family’s bright star dimmed its light for us in this world,” D’Angelo’s family said. “After a long and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to fans around the world as D’Angelo, is back home.”
“While we are saddened that he will only be left with cherished memories of his family, we are forever grateful for the extraordinary and inspiring musical legacy he left behind,” the family added. “While we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, we ask that you join us in mourning his loss, while also celebrating the gift of song he left to the world.”
The son of a Pentecostal preacher, D’Angelo got his big break in music by co-producing the 1994 single “U Will Know” by the supergroup Black Men United, a musical collective comprised of R&B heavyweights like Boyz II Men, Usher and Al B. R. Kelly, Lenny Kravitz, etc. The song peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The Virginia-born singer parlayed this mainstream breakthrough into a solo career with her 1995 debut solo album, Brown Sugar. Nominated for the D’Angelo Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, the platinum-certified LP signaled the emergence of neo-soul, an experimental branch of soul music known for its fusion with genres such as funk, jazz fusion, hip-hop, and rock.
D’Angelo’s second album, “Voodoo,” released in 2000, cemented his status as a pop culture sex symbol. The album’s provocative third single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” caused controversy with its provocative music video, which featured a naked D’Angelo singing along to the sensual song.
RCA Records said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the news of D’Angelo’s passing. He was a unique visionary who effortlessly combined the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B and jazz with hip-hop sensibilities.” “D’Angelo’s songwriting, musicality and unmistakable vocal style remain and will continue to inspire generations of artists.”
D’Angelo struggles with ‘Untitled’ sex symbol fame
Despite the success of “Untitled,” which included four MTV Video Music Award nominations, the video’s impact on D’Angelo’s image was a source of conflict for D’Angelo, who was reportedly uncomfortable with its sensual depictions.
D’Angelo’s former manager, Dominic Trenier, previously told Spin magazine: “I feel really guilty because I didn’t mean to do that.” “‘Untitled’ was not supposed to be his ‘voodoo’ mission statement. I’m glad the video was that, but he was disappointed and so was I, because to this day in the public’s memory he is the naked man.”
D’Angelo also had personal struggles, including a battle with alcoholism, which kept him out of the spotlight in later years.
In his personal life, D’Angelo dated R&B/soul singer Angie Stone in the 1990s, and Stone became the muse for Angie Stone’s album Brown Sugar. D’Angelo, who had a son with Stone in 1998, also appeared on Stone’s 1999 debut album, Black Diamond.
D’Angelo and Stone broke up in 1999 after D’Angelo, then 25, was accused of cheating on Stone, then 38. The soulful singer never married.
In addition to his son with Stone, D’Angelo had two other children, a daughter born in 1999 and a son born in 2010.
D’Angelo hints at the future of music with his final album
D’Angelo’s last album, Black Messiah, was released in December 2014. The album won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song (for “Really Love”).
Released 14 years after the release of his previous album, Voodoo, D’Angelo opened up about the album’s decade-and-a-half delay in an interview with Rolling Stone in June 2015.
“Events that happened in my personal life didn’t help, but it wasn’t the only thing. There were some moving parts, like management changes and record company changes,” D’Angelo told the magazine. “The music business is a tightrope, especially for someone like me who’s a real purist. Balancing the pressures of commercialism is a tightrope. There’s a fine line between sticking to your beliefs and insanity.”
The singer also reflected on the legacy of “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and his change of heart regarding the controversial song.
“I’m happy with it, and I feel like too much has been made out of it,” D’Angelo reflected. “The problem I had was that I thought it wasn’t about the song, it was all about me appearing nude.
“But now I think people were drawn to how sexy and beautiful the song was. Even if the song wasn’t good, it wouldn’t have raised any eyebrows. The video was just a great accompaniment.”
D’Angelo, who was 41 at the time of the interview, remained optimistic about his musical future even after a long hiatus.
“I want to do what Yahweh (God) has led me to do. Do I know exactly what that is? No, I don’t,” D’Angelo said. “I’m trying to keep myself open and open-minded and accept and understand what it is. But I want to put a lot of music out there. In many ways, I feel like I’m just getting started.”
This story has been updated to add new information.
