D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer who was known for his gravelly but sweet voice and gained mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51 years old.
The singer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, died on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) after a long battle with cancer, his family said in a statement.
It called him “a shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,” adding that they were “forever grateful for the exceptionally poignant musical legacy he left.” In his music, D’Angelo blended hip-hop grit, hard-hitting soul, and gospel-based emotion into a sound that helped pioneer the neo-soul movement of the 1990s.
Earlier this year, the Virginia native celebrated the 30th anniversary of her debut studio album “Brown Sugar,” a platinum-selling offering that spawned signature hits like “Lady” and the title track. The 1995 album earned her multiple Grammy nominations and established her as one of R&B’s most original new voices.
D’Angelo’s sultry singing style – a blend of husky textures and church-esque fluidity – sets her apart from her peers. That sound became inseparable from the catchy visuals of her 2000 single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”. The minimalist, shirtless music video became a cultural touchstone, igniting conversations around artistry, sexuality, and vulnerability in black male representation.
The song earned him a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and inspired his sophomore album “Voodoo”. It topped the Billboard 200 chart and won a Grammy for Best R&B Album.
Jaime Foxx said on social media, “I remember the first time I heard your music… I said to myself whoever it is, they’re anointed.” “Then when I finally got the chance to see you… like everyone else when they see the most incredible music video of our time… I was awestruck… I thought to myself I had to see this guy in concert… I had a chance to see you in the house of the blues… You came out and got straight to business… Your voice was silky and flawless… I was jealous of your style and your swag…” Beyond his own catalog, D’Angelo’s artistry shined in the collaboration. She memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful song “Nothing Even Matters,” a highlight of her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He also contributed to The Roots’ 1996 album “Illadelph Halflife” and was part of the supergroup Black Men United, which produced one song: “You Will Know”, which D’Angelo wrote and co-produced for the 1994 film “Jason’s Lyric”.
Years before he retreated from public view, D’Angelo’s life and music were closely intertwined with those of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone in the ’90s. The pair met while he was finishing “Brown Sugar” and connected with each other over their shared Southern roots and deep church upbringing.
Stone contributed to the album and later collaborated with him on “Everyday”, a song from his 1999 debut album, “Black Diamond”. Stone once described D’Angelo as his “musical soul mate” in The Associated Press in 1999, saying that their working relationship was “‘like milk and cereal’… Musically, it was magic. It’s something I haven’t been able to do with any other producer or musician.” They had one son, the artist Svevo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr.
Stone died in a car accident earlier this year. She was 63 years old.
D’Angelo also has a daughter, Imani Archer, who is also a musical artist.
In the years that followed, D’Angelo’s life became defined as much by absence as by praise. After “Voodoo”, he remained out of the limelight for over a decade, leading to speculation about personal conflicts and creative battles.
Their long-awaited comeback came in 2014 with “Black Messiah”, credited to D’Angelo and The Vanguard. This urgent and politically influential album arrived amid nationwide protests and helped usher in a wave of activist music responding to police killings of Black Americans and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and won her a Grammy for Best R&B Album, confirming her stature as a generational voice. Its standout single, “Really Love”, earned them another Grammy for Best R&B Song and a nomination for Record of the Year.
In May, D’Angelo withdrew from being the headliner for the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia due to “unexpected medical delays in connection with his surgery earlier this year,” the artists shared in a statement. D’Angelo said he was advised that the demonstration “could further complicate matters.” In addition to his biggest singles, D’Angelo’s catalog includes fan favorites such as “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine,” “Cruisin'” and “Devil’s Pie.” His influence extended far beyond the charts: he inspired many artists, including Maxwell, Alicia Keys and Frank Ocean.
published – October 15, 2025 12:03 am IST