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RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 Musicians, artists, and other public figures across the country and the world are mourning the loss of Grammy award-winning R&B artist D’Angelo<\/a>, remembering him as a “visionary” and “true original.”<\/p>\n D’Angelo, a Richmond native known outside the public eye as Michael Archer, died after a battle with pancreatic cancer Tuesday, according to a statement from the family.<\/p>\n The statement called him \u201ca shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,\u201d adding that they are \u201ceternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Local News<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Friends, peers, and fans alike have been taking to social media to share their memories and condolences.<\/p>\n “A visionary behind classics like Brown Sugar and Voodoo, his sound shaped a generation and spoke to the soul of Black America,” civil rights attorney Ben Crump<\/a> wrote on X. “His impact will live on forever. Rest in power, King.”<\/p>\n Soul legend D\u2019Angelo, whose timeless music redefined R&B, has died at 51 from pancreatic cancer. A visionary behind classics like Brown Sugar and Voodoo, his sound shaped a generation and spoke to the soul of Black America. His impact will live on forever. Rest in power, King. pic.twitter.com\/PzUNu21ZjG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jennifer Hudson<\/a> wrote on X, “We lost a true original today.”<\/p>\n This really hurts ! We lost a true original today. It just doesn\u2019t seem real!! It can\u2019t be . D\u2019Angelo, your voice will live on forever. Rest well, King !!! pic.twitter.com\/WpOoUANNtw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Missy Elliott<\/a> called for prayers for D’Angelo’s son, who also lost his mother, Angie Stone, earlier this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rest Peacefully D\u2019Angelo\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f \u2014 Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Musician and producer Nile Rodgers<\/a> remembered a time D’Angelo played demos for him, which Rodgers called “perfect.”<\/p>\n My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D’Angelo over to my NYC apt. He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he’d brought with him. I listened to every cut…not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, “What\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/4KjOKLswP9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Beyond his own catalog, D\u2019Angelo\u2019s artistry shined in collaborations. <\/p>\n He memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful ballad \u201cNothing Even Matters,\u201d a highlight of her landmark 1998 album \u201cThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n He also contributed to The Roots\u2019 1996 album \u201cIlladelph Halflife\u201d and was part of the supergroup Black Men United, which yielded one song: \u201cU Will Know,\u201d which D\u2019Angelo wrote and co-produced, for the film \u201cJason\u2019s Lyric\u201d in 1994.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember hearing your music for the first time\u2026 I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed,\u201d Jamie Foxx said on social media. \u201cThen when I finally got a chance to see you\u2026 Like everyone when they saw the most incredible music video of our time\u2026 I was blown away\u2026 I thought to myself I have to see this person in concert\u2026 I had my chance to see you at the house of blues\u2026 You came out and got right down to business\u2026 Your voice was silky and flawless\u2026 I was graciously envious of your style and your swag\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grammy-winning R&B artist, Richmond native D’Angelo dies at 51<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
No parent want to see their children go but it\u2019s painful for children to see their parents go to so send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe pic.twitter.com\/XDIRSskF08<\/a><\/p>\n