D’Angelo, the vaunted R&B artist and pioneer of neo-soul, died Tuesday at the age of 51 from pancreatic cancer.
“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,” the singer’s family said in a statement. “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.”
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Despite only releasing three albums since his debut in 1995, D’Angelo had an outsized impact on the music world, the genres of R&B and soul in particular. His artistry translated into album sales, as well as awards and nominations, with his life’s work earning 14 Grammy nominations and four wins.
His debut album, Brown Sugar, received three nominations in 1995: Best R&B Album, Male Vocal Performance, and Song for the record’s title track. He received a single nomination the following year for another song off of Brown Sugar, “Lady,” which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The success of Brown Sugar put D’Angelo on the radars of contemporaries, leading to him collaborating with the likes of Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. The latter featured him on her song “Nothing Even Matters,” resulting in his fourth Grammy nomination, in 1998 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocal.
D’Angelo’s second studio album, Voodoo, marked a turning point for the singer. Released in 2000, the record’s third single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” thrust D’Angelo into the spotlight — not entirely in a positive manner. The song’s video featured D’Angelo nude for the waist up and turned him into a sex symbol, a status he was uncomfortable with and that was at least somewhat responsible for his withdrawal from the public eye.
But Voodoo’s success also brought with it honors, including D’Angelo’s first two Grammys in 2001, for Best R&B Album and Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel).”
It would be 14 years until D’Angelo put out another album, but the wait produced another major record. Black Messiah, released with the Vanguard, repeated the success of Voodoo, at least in terms of the Grammys. The record took home Best R&B Album, and D’Angelo once again took Best R&B Song for the lead single, “Really Love.” He did not attend the Grammys to accept.
What D’Angelo songs are you listening to today? Share your favorite tracks in the comments.
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