Doja Cat, Missy Elliott, Alchemist and More Pay Tribute to D’Angelo: ‘A True Voice of Soul’

The music world is in mourning following the death of neo-soul icon D'Angelo, who passed away at the age of 51 after a battle with cancer. His family officially confirmed the tragic news in a statement distributed to Variety on Tuesday, prompting an immediate and widespread wave of tributes from artists and fans across social media.

Michael Eugene Archer, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, leaves behind a monumental artistic legacy defined by just three studio albums. His 1995 debut "Brown Sugar" established his unique style, a sound that was later perfected on the critically acclaimed "Voodoo" and his final release, 2014's "Black Messiah." These works earned him four Grammy Awards and cemented his status as a generational talent. His long periods of reclusiveness between projects, often spanning a decade, contributed to his image as a meticulous artist wholly devoted to his art. This perfectionism meant that every release was a significant event, setting a new benchmark for soul music.

Renowned producer DJ Premier was one of the first to share his grief online, posting a heartfelt message that called the loss "so sad" and reminiscing about their "many great times" together. He concluded, "Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING." His feelings were echoed by Doja Cat on X, who referred to D'Angelo as "a true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come."

The personal dimension of the loss was highlighted by Missy Elliott, who asked for prayers for D'Angelo's son, who has now lost both of his parents within a single year. Singer Jill Scott, despite never meeting him, expressed a profound artistic connection, writing, "I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!!" As one industry commentator noted, "D'Angelo's influence is immeasurable. He essentially re-engineered modern R&B, blending it with hip-hop and funk in a way that created an entirely new subgenre, inspiring everyone from John Legend to Anderson .Paak." His death undeniably marks the end of a pivotal era in contemporary music.