Musicians and prominent cultural figures mourned the sudden passing of D'Angelo after the news was revealed this week.
Social media posts from DJ Premier, The Alchemist and Marc Lamont Hill, among others, poured in on Tuesday (October 14), all of whom were shocked by D'Angelo's death. The musician reportedly died at 51 years old following a private battle with pancreatic cancer, per TMZ.
"Such a sad loss to the passing of D'angelo. We have so many great times," tweeted DJ Premier, who produced 2000 D'Angelo track "Devil's Pie." "Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D' Love You KING 🫡🤍🕊️🙏🏾"
The Alchemist, who was present during recording sessions of D'Angelo's sophomore album, Voodoo, also tweeted a dedication for the late musician, writing, "Man. Rest in peace D’ Angelo."
See reactions to the singer's passing from Tyler, The Creator, 9th Wonder, and more below. Tyler shared a photo, while 9th paid tribute to "the greatest soul musician of a generation."
Producer and songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox wrote, "The last time I shed tears for an artist when they transitioned was Prince."
Doja Cat called the singer "a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come," while legendary guitarist and bandleader Nile Rodgers recalled meeting an early-career D'Angelo, whose songs even then were "perfect."
D'Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, released three albums during his lifetime, Brown Sugar, Voodoo and Black Messiah, which came out in 2014. The vocalist won four Grammy Awards, including the Best R&B Album for Black Messiah in 2015.
While D'Angelo was relatively silent in the last decade, the late artist released "Unshaken" from the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack and Jay-Z and Jeymes Samuel collaboration "I Want You Forever" from biblical epic The Book of Clarence. In 2021, D'Angelo held a solo VERZUZ performance at the Apollo Theater, where he was joined by H.E.R., Method Man and Redman.
In March, D'Angelo's former partner and songwriting collaborator vocalist Angie Stone died after a car accident in Montgomery, Alabama. The artists shared a son, singer Swayvo Twain. D'Angelo was scheduled to co-headline the 17th edition of The Roots Picnic but dropped out of the event, later being replaced by Maxwell.