Michael Eugene Archer, known professionally as D’Angelo, has died at the age of 51 following a battle with cancer, according to a statement from his family. They expressed that he leaves behind a “legacy of extraordinarily moving music” and encouraged fans to celebrate his contributions to the music world.
D’Angelo was recognized as a key figure in the neo-soul genre, which combines elements of R&B with hip-hop and jazz influences. Over his career, he released three albums that earned him four Grammy Awards. One of his most notable works, the music video for “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” gained significant attention when he performed it in a one-shot video.
His family described him as “the shining star of our family,” a sentiment shared widely by fans and fellow musicians. D’Angelo began his career as a songwriter and collaborated with prominent artists including Lauryn Hill and The Roots. He gained fame in the 1990s with his debut album, Brown Sugar, which included the chart-topping single “Lady,” reaching No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1996 and earning him several Grammy nominations.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of a Pentecostal minister, D’Angelo taught himself to play piano at the age of three. During his teenage years, he participated in local music groups and won an amateur talent competition at Harlem’s Apollo Theater three consecutive weeks, leading to a publishing deal with EMI.
His debut album Brown Sugar was released in 1995, followed by his acclaimed 2000 album Voodoo, which won two Grammys. However, he faced personal challenges, including struggles with alcoholism, which almost led to his death in a car crash in 2005. D’Angelo made a comeback in 2014 with Black Messiah, which was influenced by social unrest related to police violence. The album eventually won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2016.
Paying tribute to him, DJ Premier, a prominent figure in hip-hop, shared his condolences on social media, expressing sadness over D’Angelo’s passing.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwynv40ly4vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss