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Legendary R&B singer D’Angelo died of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, per Variety. He was 51.
Bursting onto the scene with Brown Sugar in 1995, D’Angelo is often credited with pushing the neo-soul genre mainstream. His sophomore album, Voodoo, debuted in the top spot on the “Billboard 200” in 2000 and featured his biggest hit, “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” — and its iconic music video. In 2014, he released what would become his final album, the critically acclaimed Black Messiah. D’Angelo won four Grammys over the course of his career, winning Best R&B Album twice for Voodoo and Black Messiah. Throughout his career, he worked with several other titans of the genre, including Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Raphael Saadiq.
In a statement to Variety, D’Angelo’s family said they were “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind” and invited fans to “join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.” “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” they said.
D’Angelo’s death comes less than a year after fellow R&B icon Angie Stone, with whom he shared a son, died after being involved in a car accident.
In the wake of the news, fellow musicians and artists are sharing what D’Angelo and his music meant to them.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé honors "the inimitable D'Angelo" after his passing. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/GOOZwnxByj
— BEYONCÉ LEGION 𐚁 (@BeyLegion) October 14, 2025
Beyoncé updated her website to feature a tribute to D’Angelo, calling him “the pioneer of neo-soul” who “changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever.”
Doja Cat
Rest in peace D’angelo. My thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends. A true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.
— DOJA CAT (@DojaCat) October 14, 2025
Doja Cat remembered him as “a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.”
Jill Scott
I told you a long time ago-You ain’t gon understand everything & everything ain’t meant 4 U ,nor I, to understand. I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I’m so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS. 💔 💔
— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) October 14, 2025
In an X post, Scott called D’Angelo a “genius.” “I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift,” she wrote. “This loss HURTS!!”
Tyler, the Creator
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 🫡🤍🕊️🙏🏾— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) October 14, 2025
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DJ Premier, who produced D’Angelo’s 1998 song “Devil’s Pie,” called his death “such a sad loss.” “We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much,” he wrote.
Flea
R.I.P. ICON D’Angelo 🙏🏾🕊️ pic.twitter.com/FOlqJiw79P
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) October 14, 2025
Flavor Flav shared a photo of D’Angelo, calling him an “icon.”
Jeremy O. Harris
D’Angelo was a sonic and hormonal awakening for many young people who were blessed to have access to music videos in the late 90s.
Hearing his music for the first time was like a Pandora’s box of ideas my home wasn’t ready for me to entertain. RIP king. pic.twitter.com/UClLQsvW6x— Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) October 14, 2025
The playwright remembered his music videos as “a sonic and hormonal awakening.” “Hearing his music for the first time was like a Pandora’s box of ideas my home wasn’t ready for me to entertain,” he said.
Bootsy Collins
Danggit!🤟Say it ain't so, but we just lost a friend, a creator & legend, D'Angelo!😭 Prayer's going out to his family & friends!🙏🙏🙏 We all lolve u lil-brother. R.I.P… pic.twitter.com/I9fmImBxl1
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) October 14, 2025
The funk icon sent prayers to D’Angelo’s family, calling the singer “a friend, a creator & legend.”
Nile Rodgers
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. At the end of the encounter he asked me, "What… pic.twitter.com/4KjOKLswP9
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 14, 2025
Rodgers, a legendary musician in his own right, recalled the first time he met the “genius” singer.
Missy Elliott
Rest Peacefully D’Angelo🙏🏾🕊️
No parent want to see their children go but it’s painful for children to see their parents go to so send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/XDIRSskF08— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) October 14, 2025
The rapper snet her condolences to the son D’Angelo shared with Angie Stone, Michael Archer Jr.
Jennifer Hudson
This really hurts ! We lost a true original today. It just doesn’t seem real!! It can’t be . D’Angelo, your voice will live on forever. Rest well, King !!! pic.twitter.com/WpOoUANNtw
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) October 14, 2025
“We lost a true original today. It just doesn’t seem real,” Hudson wrote, adding that D’Angelo’s voice “will live on forever.”
