D’Angelo, the influential four-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer who had several big R&B hits including “Lady,” “Brown Sugar” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and two Top 5 albums, died today of cancer. He was 51.
His family confirmed the news in a statement, writing: “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.”
Born Michael Archer on February 11, 1974, D’Angelo first chart success was as co-writer and producer of “”U Will Know,” a Top 5 R&B hit for the one-off supergroup Black Men United in 1994 from the movie Jason’s Lyric. It also made the pop Top 25.
The following year, he release his debut disc Brown Sugar, debuting at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B album chart, going platinum and spawning hit singles with its title track, “Cruisin’” and “Lady.” All three made the R&B Top 5, with the slow-grooving “Lady” crossing over to the pop Top 10. Watch the video here:
MORE TO COME…