D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning artist who helped create the genre known as neo-soul, has died. He passed away on Tuesday morning in his apartment in New York City. He was 51 years old. His family confirmed his death Sunday, sharing that he had been fighting pancreatic cancer for more than a year, but doing so in private. Michael D’Angelo Archer Michael d’Angelo Archer was born in Richmond, Virginia. He burst onto the scene in the mid-90s, establishing himself as a key figure in the evolution of modern R&B.
D’Angelo blew music lovers away in 1995 with his debut album “Brown Sugar.” From 2007 to 2009, he wowed listeners by intertwining old school R&B melodies and the cadence of hip-hop. This bold craftsmanship turned out to be his breakthrough effort, giving us his first Top 10 single, “Lady,” and paving the way for his legendary career ahead. His 2000 follow-up album, “Voodoo,” sealed the deal, establishing him as one of the most important artists in the burgeoning neo-soul movement. The album was praised everywhere and won him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2001.
Throughout his career, D’Angelo amassed four Grammy Awards. In 2016, he won the award for Best R&B Album with “Black Messiah.” He took home Best R&B Song for his hit “Really Love.” His prize was for Best R&B Vocal Performance for his legendary hit, “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The song catapulted him to superstardom and made him one of the world’s sexiest men, thanks to the song’s racy music video that aired on muchmusic around the globe.
Despite his early success, D’Angelo faced challenges, including struggles with writer’s block and the pressures of fame that followed the slow-burn success of “Brown Sugar.” Throughout those teenage years, he played with several other local bands like Three of a Kind and Intelligent, Deadly but Unique (IDU). He then went on to achieve legendary solo success.
Bootsy Collins remarked,
“Say it ain’t so, but we just lost a friend, a creator & legend, D’Angelo.”
D’Angelo started out on piano at the age of three and frequently joined his father, a Pentecostal minister, in church services. His complex musical upbringing, combined with his baritone timbre, bold humility, and vulnerability, spurred forth a productive run of artistry that would revolutionize the genre of neo-soul.
“a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.”
Jill Scott, who admired D’Angelo’s talent, stated,
“I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift.”
In a heartfelt statement about their loss, D’Angelo’s family shared,
“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.”
D’Angelo began playing piano at the age of three and often accompanied his father, a Pentecostal minister, in church. His deep-rooted musical background laid the foundation for his unique sound that would eventually revolutionize the genre of neo-soul.