Tributes have flooded in for the R&B and soul singer D’Angelo, who has died aged 51 after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
In a statement, his family wrote that the star, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, left behind a legacy of extraordinarily moving music and asked fans to celebrate “the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
The influential singer was known for pioneering neo-soul, a genre blending R&B with other types of music, including hip-hop and jazz.
His three albums won four Grammy Awards. The music video for his hit song Untitled (How Does It Feel) became notorious for its smouldering, single-shot performance, where D’Angelo appeared to be performing naked.
The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life, his family said in a statement obtained by CBS News.
Fellow musicians Beyoncé, Nile Rodgers, and Lauryn Hill were among those paying their respects.
'Strength and sensitivity'
Singer Beyoncé thanked D’Angelo for his music on her website. You were the pioneer of neo-soul, and that changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever, she wrote. We will never forget you.
Guitarist and producer Rodgers recalled having encouraged the late star to put out his material, saying it was “perfect.”
Hill reflected on D’Angelo’s outsize influence on Black manhood, saying he presented a unity of strength and sensitivity uncommon in a world that often mandates one or the other.
Tributes further poured in from artists like Doja Cat and Missy Elliot, all highlighting D’Angelo's enduring impact on the music landscape.
D’Angelo's journey began working alongside big names in music, and he rose to fame in the 1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar. His soulful sound and lyrical depth made him a prominent figure, culminating in the release of critically acclaimed works like Voodoo.
His final work, Black Messiah, was a response to social unrest in America, demonstrating his art's relevance beyond just entertainment.
D’Angelo's passing marks a tremendous loss for the music community, leaving behind a powerful legacy forged through innovative sound and heartfelt expression.
