Shortly after the news broke of D'Angelo's sudden passing, his family members confirmed his death in a statement shared with Variety. The four-time Grammy winner died at 51 years old following a private battle with pancreatic cancer.
"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, October 14th, 2025," read the statement, per Variety.
"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," the statement continued. "We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world."
D'Angelo leaves behind three children, Imani Archer, 26, Morocco Archer, 15, and his oldest child, 27-year-old Swayvo Twain, born Michael D'Angelo Archer II, whom the musician shared with late vocalist Angie Stone. Stone, who was a longtime collaborator and songwriter for D'Angelo, died in March after a car accident in Montgomery, Alabama.
Following news of D'Angelo's passing, memoriams poured in on social media from DJ Premier, Jill Scott, The Alchemist and more. D'Angelo released three studio albums in his lifetime, his final being Black Messiah in 2014, which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album the following year.
While the four-time Grammy winner was preparing to release new material, his last song was "I Want You Forever" from The Book of Clarence soundtrack, which featured Jay-Z and Jeymes Samuel.