Tributes pour in for Grammy-winning R&B singer and ‘visionary’ neo-soul icon

D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer and musician who helped pioneer the neo-soul movement, died Tuesday after a private battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 51 years old.

“The bright star of our family has dimmed its light for us in this life,” his family said in a statement to several media outlets. “After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, was called home and departed this life today.

“We are saddened that he will leave only fond memories for his family, but we are eternally grateful for the extraordinarily moving musical legacy he leaves behind,” the statement added. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, but invite you all to join us in mourning his passing while celebrating the gift of song he left to the world.”

Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was the youngest of three sons of a Pentecostal preacher. He grew up playing music with his older brother, Luther Archer. In 1994, they wrote and co-produced the single “U Will Know” for the R&B supergroup Black Men United, which included Brian McKnight, Usher, R. Kelly, Boyz II Men and Raphael Saadiq, among others.

D’Angelo released his critically acclaimed debut album, Brown sugarthe following year. His second album, Voodoowas released in 2000 and is considered a milestone of the genre.

It won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. And the sultry single “United (How Does It Feel)” earned D’Angelo a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, while the song’s music video — featuring D’Angelo naked and slow-jamming — turned him into an unwitting sex symbol. (Critic Robert Christgau once called D’Angelo “R&B Jesus” and a better performer than Marvin Gaye.)

It also took him away from the public eye, towards alcohol abuse and eventually into rehab. In 2008, her former manager, Dominique Trenier, told Spin magazine that D’Angelo was completely uncomfortable with her status as a sex symbol.

“I’m glad the video did what it did,” Trenier recalls. “But he and I were both disappointed because, to this day, in the general public’s memory, he’s the naked guy.”

After Voodoohe did not release any further studio albums until the politically charged crisis of 2014. Black Messiahwhich also won the Grammy for Best R&B Album.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of D’Angelo,” RCA Records, his longtime label, said in a statement. “He was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B and jazz with a hip hop sensibility.”

D’Angelo collaborated with many R&B and hip-hop artists in an informal collective known as the Soulquarians, including the Roots, Common, J.Dilla, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and his then-girlfriend Angie Stone, with whom he shared a son, Michael Archer Jr., a hip-hop artist who performs under the name Swayvo Twain.

Stone died in a car accident earlier this year.

“I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time, as this has been a very difficult and sad year for me,” Michael Archer Jr. said in a statement to People magazine on Tuesday. “I ask that you continue to keep me in your thoughts because it won’t be easy, but one thing both my parents taught me was to be strong, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

D’Angelo also has another son, Morocco Archer, and a daughter, Imani Archer, who is a singer.

In May, D’Angelo abruptly canceled a planned headlining performance at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing “an unforeseen medical issue” resulting from a recent surgery.

“It is with deepest regret that (I) must cancel my performance at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia,” D’Angelo wrote in a statement posted to the event’s Instagram page. “But, due to an unforeseen medical delay regarding a surgery (I) had earlier this year, (I) have been informed by my specialist team that this weekend’s performance could further complicate matters.”

He thanked his fans for their “continued support” and added, “(I’m) currently in the lab and can’t wait to serve up what’s in the pot! I LOVE you all and see you soon!”

“A true original”

As news of his death spread, other artists and musicians took to social media to post tributes.

Beyoncé

The star singer posted this note on the front page of her official website:

Rest in peace, Michael Eugene Archer, known throughout the music world as the inimitable D’Angelo. We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your mastery of the piano, your artistic talent. You pioneered neo-soul and it changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever. We will never forget you.

New York’s Electric Lady Studios, where D’Angelo recorded Voodooposted a captionless image of the singer on Instagram.

Chip

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying, “I never knew him, but I was humbled by his music.”

Jennifer Hudson

“This really hurts,” Hudson wrote on

Jamie Foxx

The actor posted a lengthy memory of D’Angelo on Instagram.

Jean Legend

The soul singer also posted a lengthy tribute, recalling how Brown sugar changed his life.

Missy Elliott

The hip-hop legend asked for prayers for D’Angelo’s son, Michael Archer Jr.

Jill Scott

The neo-soul singer said that although she had never met D’Angelo, she loved and admired him.

Nile Rodgers

The famous Chic producer and guitarist recalled his first meeting with D’Angelo.