R&B and Neo Soul Pioneer D’Angelo Has Passed at Age 51

D’Angelo, a pivotal figure in modern R&B and one of the architects of the neo soul movement, has passed away.

TMZ reports he died from a private battle with pancreatic cancer. Sources tell TMZ he died in New York City, according to his family and his former manager, Kedar Massenberg.

A statement was released by his family:

“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, Oct. 14, 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.”

D’Angelo has won four Grammy Awards, winning Best R&B Album for Voodoo, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” Best R&B Album for Black Messiah and Best R&B Song for “Really Love.”

The video for “How Does It Feel” was intimate, provocative, sensual and vulnerable, becoming iconic for D’Angelo’s performance: a black background with his upper body as the focus, pulling back the camera to reveal his waist where the viewer can’t help but wonder if he’s nude or not.

In 2024, Raphael Saadiq sparked excitement by appearing on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast and explaining that D’Angelo was working on new music.

“D’s in a good space,” said Saadiq. “He’s excited. He’s like, ‘You gotta play bass. I’ve got this track. I’m telling you, you got to get on it. It got your name all over it.’”

He added, “He’s working on six pieces right now and he seems super excited.”

Earlier this year, D’Angelo was supposed to headline the 2025 Roots Picnic. However, due to an “unforeseen medical delay” regarding his surgery, he was forced to cancel this performance. It would’ve marked three years since his last performance. Maxwell replaced him as the headliner.

In 2015, D’Angelo and the Vanguard performed a two-hour set at The Bomb Factory. Writer H. Drew Blackburn wrote:

D’Angelo is a consummate performer. Watching him must be damn close to the experience of seeing James Brown himself skitter across the stage in one of those hot and lively Chitlin’ Circuit venues. Over the course of his set, funk was proven to be alive and well. D’Angelo and his 10-piece band, the Vanguard, generated warm, analog textures that are uncommon in contemporary music. The audience’s enthusiastic response showed it’s been missed.

People danced from the opening riff to “Ain’t That Easy,” which ushered in his set. Hardly anybody dances at concerts these days. And there was no moshing — not even the weird rap mosh, where people just jump around and bump into one another. The audience wasn’t filled with the pensive-looking, crossed-armed toe tappers you see at indie rock shows. People danced and danced and danced, which is a credit to the Vanguard. It was impossible not to, as D’Angelo delivered long, grooving renditions of songs from his latest effort, Black Messiah, with a few of his classics spliced in here and there.

More photos from that show:

Tributes have been pouring in from Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Missy Elliott, Tyler, the Creator, DJ Premier and more. Read some of them below.