He only released three albums, but is acclaimed as a musical pioneer for his music that combined R&B with elements of hip-hop, jazz, and is widely credited for being the driving force behind the ‘90s neo-soul sound and movement. Singer, songwriter, and record producer D’Angelo has passed away at 51 years old, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had been working on his fourth album, and there are plans for a posthumous release.
The statement of his family reads that D’Angelo leaves a "Legacy of extraordinarily moving music” and “the gift of song that he has left for the world,” which they urge fans to celebrate.
Born Michael Eugene Archer, D’Angelo was the son of a Pentecostal minister, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. At just three years old, he began teaching himself to play the piano. He performed in local groups throughout his teens, and at 18, he won several talent competitions, which helped get the attention of EMI, with whom he signed a publishing deal.
His career began as a songwriter, alongside fellow soul revivalists Lauryn Hill and The Roots. Fame arrived in the 1990s with the release of his debut album, Brown Sugar, as the single Lady hit the top 10 of the 1996 Billboard chart.
The album that followed in 2000, Voodoo, garnered his first two Grammy accolades, winning Best R&B Album, while the song Untitled (How Does It Feel) picked up Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The highly charged music video for that song significantly increased his fame, and D’Angelo became a sex symbol, something he personally struggled with and felt deeply uncomfortable about, causing him to retreat from the public eye.