Celebrated soul musician D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 after battling pancreatic cancer, several United States media outlets have reported.
The R&B icon and neo-soul pioneer melded genres and opened doors as he stretched the boundaries of Black pop traditions while producing sensuous hits, including Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel).
The risque, shirtless music video for the latter track catapulted the artist to superstardom, though he struggled with the weight of his newfound pop culture fame.
The music world mourns the loss of an iconic figure, as the family of Michael D’Angelo Archer, widely known by his stage name D’Angelo, announced his passing. “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” they shared in a heartfelt statement to Variety. D’Angelo fought a long and valiant battle with cancer before being called home.
D’Angelo’s contribution to the R&B genre remains indisputable. His groundbreaking work began with his debut album, “Brown Sugar,” in 1995, which immediately garnered critical acclaim for its soulful depth and innovative sound. He continued to captivate audiences with “Voodoo,” released in 2000, further cementing his status as a musical visionary.
His passing has been widely covered by various media outlets, including People magazine and TMZ, reflecting the profound impact he had on fans and fellow musicians alike. As the music community reflects on his legacy, D’Angelo’s artistry and influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
Music industry publication Pitchfork credited D’Angelo with helping to “define the neo-soul movement”.
Born in Virginia, D’Angelo was something of a recluse and only periodically surfaced to release music, most of which was received favourably by fans and critics.
In 2016, he featured on a playlist used by former US president Barack Obama, alongside other musical greats like pop superstar Janet Jackson, soul singer Janelle Monae and blues rocker Gary Clark Jr.
Tyler, the Creator, posted a black and white photograph of D’Angelo on X, while the Alchemist wrote simply, “Man. Rest in peace D’Angelo”.
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