Grammy-winning R&B icon D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer, his family confirmed. Known for his deep, soulful sound and for pioneering the neo soul movement in the mid 1990s, D’Angelo’s influence shaped an entire generation of artists and fans. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the music world, with many calling him a “once-in-a-lifetime talent” and a “true musical genius.”

Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo grew up surrounded by gospel and soul. The son of a Pentecostal minister, he began playing piano in church from the age of five, showing early signs of the raw talent that would later make him one of R&B’s most defining voices.

His debut album Brown Sugar, released in 1995, was nothing short of groundbreaking. With hits like Lady and Cruisin’, the project became a blueprint for the neo soul era, combining smooth jazz, funk, and gospel influences in a way that felt timeless. The album went platinum within a year, earning him four Grammy nominations and placing him firmly among the elite of R&B.

After the success of Brown Sugar, D’Angelo took a break from the spotlight, but his 2000 follow-up album Voodoo proved he was far from done. The record, which included his iconic track Untitled (How Does It Feel), was both sensual and spiritual, blending emotion and artistry in a way that few could replicate. The song’s music video became one of the most talked-about visuals of the decade, cementing his status as a cultural icon.

But behind the fame, D’Angelo’s life wasn’t without its struggles. In interviews, he often spoke about the pressures of fame and the expectations placed on him as the “saviour of soul music.” After Voodoo, he disappeared from the public eye for years, grappling with personal issues and his own desire to create authentically rather than commercially.

When he returned in 2014 with Black Messiah, fans and critics hailed it as a masterpiece. The album, filled with political undertones and powerful messages, came at a time when the world was in need of soul and truth. It was a reminder that D’Angelo’s gift wasn’t just his voice or his artistry, it was his ability to speak to the moment and the emotion of a generation.

News of his death has hit the music industry hard. Fellow artists, including Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and Questlove, have shared heartfelt tributes online, calling him a “pioneer,” “visionary,” and “one of the greatest to ever do it.”

For many fans, D’Angelo’s music wasn’t just sound ,it was therapy. His songs spoke about love, pain, faith, and self-discovery in ways that resonated deeply with listeners across the world. Even in his quietest years, his influence could be heard in the voices of artists like Frank Ocean, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R., all of whom have cited him as an inspiration.

As one fan wrote on social media, “D’Angelo didn’t just make music. He made you feel something real.”

D'Angelo dated soul singer Angie Stone, who died in March this year. She was his was his muse for his Brown Sugar album.

Stone and D'Angelo had a son together, Michael Archer Jr, born in 1998 (known professionally as Swayvo Twain). D'Angelo also had two other children: a daughter, Imani Archer, born in 1999, and a son, born in 2010.

Though gone too soon, D’Angelo leaves behind a legacy that will live forever in every soulful chord, every heartfelt lyric, and every artist who dares to blend truth with rhythm.