Following the shocking death of soul pioneer D’Angelo at 51, fellow musicians and stars alike are reflecting on his genius and lasting impact and legacy.
The Grammy Award winner, whose real name is Michael Eugene Archer, and known for epitomizing the neo-soul movement in the mid-’90s, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, following a battle with cancer, according to a statement from his family.
Beyoncé posted a tribute to the late singer on her website, stating, “Rest in peace, Michael Eugene Archer, known to the world of music as the inimitable D’Angelo. We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry. You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever. We will never forget you.”
Lauryn Hill shared a heartfelt statement, saying she “regret not having more time” with the singer.
“Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God,” she continued, “You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and event intimidated others to action with your genius.”
Singer, actor and comedian Jamie Foxx said in a tribute, “God put you here for a reason and we were all lucky enough to see what God had made.”
Jill Scott, who expressed her love for the R&B icon the night before his death, shared that she always admired the musician and is sending love to his family via X/Twitter.
Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder Flea expressed, “What a rare and beautiful voice and an inimitable approach to songwriting. What a musician!!!”
Rap icon Missy Elliott shared her condolences for the singer’s son, whose mother is R&B songstress Angie Stone, who died in a car crash nearly seven months before D’Angelo.
Jennifer said that the death of the soul singer “doesn’t seem real” via X/Twitter.
Rapper Tyler, The Creator shared: “On my 9th birthday, march 6 2000, i landed at Sam Goody at the south bay galleria. i had $20 in birthday money and my eyes set on leaving with one thing. VOODOO by D’Angelo. i couldnt understand how someone could write something so simple but personal but broad but genius. thats how special he was. a savant.”
Singer and instrumentalist H.E.R., who was a special guest on D’Angelo’s Verzuz in 2021, said “This is one of the only people that could get me to come out of a hiatus. I’m so devastated.”
Nile Rodgers, iconic musician from Chic, said in his tribute, “My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D’Angelo over to my NYC apt. He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he’d brought with him. I listened to every cut… not just out of respect but because it was smoking.”
He continued, “At the end of the encounter he asked me, ‘What should I do with it?’ I remember this as if it were yesterday. I said, ‘Put it out. It’s perfect!’ Being the artist he is, I guess he had to explore some ways to make it better. About a year later I heard one of those songs on the radio. It was genius and it was exactly what he had played for me. I know… I still have the original cassette.”
Michael Bearden, who was D’Angelo’s music director for his debut album, said that he was truly gutted by the news of his passing. In his tribute to the late star via Instagram, he stated that he knew the singer was going to be “an absolute industry disrupter.”
Singer, rapper and MC The Roots, shared, “I can’t think of a musician other than Prince that I revere more. He is one of the great players and bandleaders. I was always inspired by the fact that he also struggled. And we all knew that. We don’t get artists like this often.”
“He really touched my life, and I was sure one day I’d get to see him play. I can’t believe he died so young.”
Fellow soul and R&B singer Anthony Hamilton shared that he sang background for D’Angelo early on in his career and that he was “watching a true genius shape what soul music would become.”
D’Angelo is survived by his three children, Michael, Morocco and Imani.
In a statement from the singer’s family, they shared, “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
