Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat, DJ Premier & More Pay Tribute to D’Angelo: ‘A True Voice of Soul & Inspiration’
D'Angelo passed away at 51-years-old after a long battle with cancer.
D'Angelo poses during KMEL Summer Jam at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 3, 1996 in Mountain View, California
Singer D’Angelo died Tuesday (Oct. 14) after a private battle with cancer, and artists have started to share their condolences as the news spreads.
The singer’s family confirmed his passing in a statement with Billboard: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life. 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, has been called home, departing this life today, Oct. 14, 2025.”
D’Angelo’s fellow artists were devastated after the news broke, and took to X to offer their condolences and remember the musician. Among those heartbroken fans was DJ Premier, who was one of the first people to comment on his passing.
“Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo,” Premier wrote on X. “We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’. Love you KING.”
Power, Michael D’Angelo Archer.”
Doja Cat offered up powerful words on X: “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.”
Jill Scott also jumped in to celebrate D’Angelo’s unbelievable artistry and talent. “I told you a long time ago-You ain’t gon understand everything & everything ain’t meant 4 U ,nor I, to understand,” Scott wrote on X. “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.”
Russ wrote on X, “Damn RIP D’Angelo” and The Alchemist added, “Man. Rest in peace D’Angelo,” while Freddie Gibbs couldn’t believe it. “D’Angelo? Na,” he wrote on X.
Tyler, The Creator paid tribute to D’Angelo in a lengthy Instagram post, sharing how the late artist’s music influenced him, explaining, “My musical dna was helped shaped by this man.” Then, Bryan Michael Cox shared another photo of the R&B sensation on Instagram, writing, “We lost a GIANT today. The last time I shed tears for an artist when they transitioned was Prince…I shed some today. Rest in Eternal Power, Michael D’Angelo Archer.”
Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Va., D’Angelo transformed modern soul music with his debut album Brown Sugar (1995), which hit the Billboard 200 and served as one of the pioneering projects of the 1990s neo-soul movement. His follow-up, Voodoo (2000), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and his slick single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” earned D’Angelo a Grammy Award for best male R&B vocal performance. The album itself won best R&B album at the 2001 Grammys and has since been hailed as one of that era’s greatest records. He stepped away from the music industry for more than a decade before returning with his political masterpiece Black Messiah in 2014.
