From Baller Alert
R&B and soul legend D’Angelo has passed away following a private battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 51.
Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo changed the sound of modern soul music with his timeless mix of gospel, funk, jazz, and hip-hop influences. His debut album Brown Sugar (1995) helped usher in the neo-soul movement of the 1990s, sitting alongside artists like Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and Lauryn Hill in redefining what R&B could be.
The album sold over two million copies and delivered instant classics such as “Lady,” “Cruisin’,” and the title track “Brown Sugar,” solidifying D’Angelo’s place in music history.
His follow-up, Voodoo (2000), became a cultural touchstone. The sultry single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” not only earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance but also made him an icon of both sound and sensuality. The album itself won Best R&B Album at the 2001 Grammys and has since been hailed as one of the greatest records of its era.
After stepping away from the spotlight for over a decade, D’Angelo made a triumphant return with Black Messiah (2014), a politically charged masterpiece that proved his artistry was deeper than ever. The project, recorded with The Vanguard, earned widespread critical acclaim for its bold messages and timeless sound.
Throughout his career, D’Angelo’s influence reached far beyond his own music. His style inspired artists from Frank Ocean and H.E.R. to Anderson .Paak and Daniel Caesar. His blend of live instrumentation, spiritual themes, and raw emotion changed the blueprint for what R&B could be.
Behind the fame, D’Angelo was known for his quiet nature, devotion to his craft, and resistance to the pressures of celebrity culture. His passing marks the end of an era, but his music and message will live forever.
21 comments:
How did that happen?? My uncle died of pancreatic cancer in his 70s. Why now 50s???? Noooooooo D’Angelo 😭
🙏🏿
Most musical artists don’t have health insurance, The secretary at the label has health insurance they don’t. They have to go out and get it on their own. Mix in hotep ideals of fruits and berries and you have many dying young.
R.I.P. DiAngelo.
If you were old enough to know. That was the video.
Oh no. RIP, bruh. Condolences to all of us. Dayam.
The '1st' version of Untitled, whew Chyyyyl.
1:29 absolutely THE video, what a time. RIP to a legend.
It absolutely breaks my heart that he and Angie Stone died in the same year. If you ever saw someone go through pancreatic cancer then you know that by the time symptoms show up, it's usually too late to do anything about it. I hope he didn't suffer too much, may he rest peacefully
SMH Another legend is down. My heart goes out to his family.
Dang, wait a minute… him AND Angie Stone is gone too! In the same year!? They are both gone this year! Where is their child? This is CRAZY
Devastated by this news. My entire mood for the rest of the week is off now.
I'm gonna miss D'Angelo terribly but grateful for the music he left behind and glad he's out of pain.
Sleep in Peace Now Michael Eugene Archer.
@ Snitch, how come all of the comments from previous posts are being deleted? I know it probably isn't you, is it Google?
Noooooo! Not D'Angelo! Sh*t, D*mn, Motherf*cker! That was my jam back in the day. He was so fine and so talented. RIP, brotha. You will be missed.
Yesterday, I mixed up whether it was D'Angelo or Angie Stone who'd died. Then today, I got i my car and "Higher," from the Brown Sugar album came on. The spirits were telling me that it was his time, and I didn't even know it. He will be missed.
Cloud, 242, CLOUD.
I noticed the comment a have to be approved now. Are we being censored? This literally the last gossip blog i read. Gave up Sandra Rose and MTO. Bout done with Bossip too.
Also why is our community so plagued by cancer? What is the common denominator?
RIP D'angelo. You were a true talent.
Rest in peace.
💜
Unfortunately, D'Angelo was a known cigarette smoker. That couldn't have helped. It's sad to see regardless of the cause.
Post a Comment