The music world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices. D’Angelo, the iconic R&B and neo-soul pioneer, has reportedly passed away at the age of 51, according to journalist Marc Lamont Hill, who shared the news early Tuesday morning.
“My sources tell me that D’Angelo has passed. Wow. I have no words. May he rest in perfect peace,” Hill wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
My sources tell me that D’Angelo has passed. Wow. I have no words. May he rest in perfect peace.
While official details surrounding his death have not yet been confirmed, AllHipHop reports that D’Angelo died in New York following a private battle with pancreatic cancer.
The heartbreaking news has sent shockwaves through the R&B and hip-hop community, with tributes flooding social media from fellow artists, producers, and fans.
DJ Premier posted,
“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.”
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 🫡🤍🕊️🙏🏾
Meanwhile, Tyler, The Creator honored the late legend by sharing a black-and-white photo of D’Angelo without a caption — a silent but powerful tribute.
A Legacy That Redefined R&B
Born Michael Eugene Archer, D’Angelo rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his critically acclaimed debut album Brown Sugar (1995). The project spent 65 weeks on the Billboard 200, went platinum within a year, and earned him four Grammy nominations, helping cement the neo-soul movement alongside artists like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.
His 2000 follow-up, Voodoo, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, powered by the timeless hit “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The song and its iconic video became cultural touchstones, earning him two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album.
After a long hiatus, D’Angelo returned in 2014 with Black Messiah, a politically charged masterpiece that debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim.
Throughout his career, D’Angelo collaborated with some of music’s most revered figures — from Questlove and Erykah Badu to Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and Angie Stone. He also wrote Black Men United’s 1994 anthem, “U Will Know.”
Remembering a Soul Pioneer
D’Angelo’s impact on modern R&B cannot be overstated. His sound — raw, intimate, and deeply spiritual — bridged the gap between classic soul and contemporary rhythm, inspiring generations of artists from Frank Ocean to Anderson .Paak and Brent Faiyaz.
As tributes continue to pour in, fans around the world are revisiting his timeless catalog — from the sensual grooves of “Lady” to the political fire of “The Charade.”
Though gone far too soon, D’Angelo’s voice, vision, and influence will forever remain woven into the fabric of R&B.
