Celebrated soul musician D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 after battling pancreatic cancer, several US 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 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,” his family said in a statement to Variety.
Musician D’Angelo plays a private concert at a media event in New York City in 2015. Source: Getty / Andrew Burton
D’Angelo was an acclaimed R&B singer and won plaudits for albums including his 1995 debut Brown Sugar and Voodoo, released in 2000.
Voodoo’s lead single Untitled (How Does It Feel) won him the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and the album was named Best R&B Album.
D’Angelo was known for blending styles, as well as an improvisational approach.
He was a fan of analoge production and favoured long jam sessions, and was a serial collaborator.
“Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING,” DJ Premier wrote on X in tribute.
D’Angelo and DJ Premier collaborated on the 1998 single Devil’s Pie.
The musician’s passing was reported by People magazine and TMZ, among others.
Music industry bible 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”.
