Music world mourns the loss of D'Angelo, influential neo-soul artist

Tributes are pouring in for Grammy Award-winning musician D'Angelo, who died yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The death of the 51-year-old R&B icon and neo-soul pioneer sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry, as many were not aware of his battle with the disease.

D'Angelo had three studio albums under his belt under RCA Records: his groundbreaking debut, Brown Sugar which was released in 1995 followed by his sophomore album, Voodoo which was released in 2000. After the release of his sophomore album D'Angelo disappeared from public life, partly due to the unintended sex symbol status he achieved after the release of his tantalising video (Untitled) How Does It Feel.

The risque, shirtless music video for the track catapulted the artist to superstardom, though he struggled with his newfound pop culture fame.

It was only in 2014 that he made a comeback with his last album, The Black Messiah which he released with his band, The Vanguard, which spawned hits like its lead single, Another Life, Till It's Done (Tutu) and Sugah Daddy.

D'Angelo melded genres and opened doors as he stretched the boundaries of Black pop traditions while producing sensuous hits including Brown Sugar and One Mo'Gin. His style evoked funk, hip hop, soul and R&B.

"The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life," his family said in a widely reported statement. "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."

Fellow artist Lauryn Hill, who recorded a duet with him in Nothing Even Matters on her Grammy-winning debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shared praise and prayers on Instagram Tuesday.

The similarly reclusive singer wrote of D'Angelo's "undeniable beauty and talent", noting his ability to present an image of "strength and sensitivity in Black manhood to a generation that only saw itself as having to be one or the other."

On her website, singer Beyoncé called him a "pioneer of neo-soul" who "changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever."

Known as a creative perfectionist with a silky voice who could play piano and guitar, D'Angelo co-wrote and produced U Will Know at just 19 years old for the R&B supergroup Black Men United, which featured 1990s stars El DeBarge, Brian McKnight, Gerald Levert, Tevin Campbell, Usher, Aaron Hall, Keith Sweat, Joe, Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Boyz II Men, and many others. 

The record label said in a statement yesterday, D'Angelo "was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B and jazz with a hip hop sensibility."

Voodoo's lead single, Untitled (How Does It Feel) won him the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and the album was named Best R&B Album.

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea lamented the loss of D'Angelo Tuesday, saying "no one did anything funkier over the last 30 years," adding "what a rare and beautiful voice and an inimitable approach to songwriting."

D'Angelo was a fan of analogue production and favoured long jam sessions and was a sought-after collaborator.

"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 wrote on X in tribute.

D'Angelo and DJ Premier collaborated on the 1998 single Devil's Pie.

Music industry bible Pitchfork credited D'Angelo with helping to "define the neo-soul movement."

Born Michael Eugene Archer in Virginia, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, D'Angelo was something of a recluse, periodically surfacing to release music or perform.

In 2016, he was featured on a playlist used by then US president Barack Obama, alongside other musical greats such as pop superstar Janet Jackson, soul singer Janelle Monae and blues rocker Gary Clark Jr.

Britain's soul music legend, Omar, also paid tribute to D'Angelo in a series of posts which included birthday dedications for the singer.

Earlier this year, D'Angelo couldn't make it to the funeral of fellow artist Angie Stone, with whom he had a son, Michael Archer Jnr.

Tyler, The Creator posted a black and white photograph of D'Angelo on X, while The Alchemist wrote simply, "Man. Rest in peace D'Angelo."

AFP