Artists including Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill and Tyler The Creator paid tribute to neo-soul icon D’Angelo, dead at 51
Pioneering R&B and neo-soul artist D’Angelo has died aged 51 following a battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news in a statement describing the musician, born Michael Eugene Archer, as leaving behind “a legacy of extraordinarily moving music” and urged fans to celebrate “the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of his generation, D’Angelo helped define the neo-soul movement by blending R&B, hip-hop, funk and jazz.
He released three acclaimed albums: Brown Sugar in 1995, Voodoo in 2000 and Black Messiah in 2014, winning four Grammy Awards across his career. His single Untitled (How Does It Feel) became one of the defining tracks of modern R&B.
Tributes poured in from across the music industry. Beyoncé wrote, “You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever. We will never forget you.” Lauryn Hill said, “You imagined a unity of strength and sensitivity in Black manhood to a generation that only saw itself as having to be one or the other.”
Jill Scott expressed her grief, writing, “I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss hurts.” Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea called him “one of my all-time favourites… he changed the course of popular music.” Tyler The Creator described Voodoo as a life-changing record, calling D’Angelo “a savant… a true alien.”
Nile Rodgers, Jamie Foxx and The Roots’ lead MC also shared memories of working with or being inspired by him.
D’Angelo is survived by his three children — Michael, Morocco and Imani. His former partner and fellow soul singer Angie Stone died earlier this year aged 63.
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