D’Angelo Passes Away At The Age Of 51
The artist is said to have fought a “prolonged and courageous” battle with pancreatic cancer.
By Rome Saenz
Courtesy of D’Angelo
Courtesy of D’Angelo
Today (October 15, 2025), R&B and soul pioneer D’Angelo passed away following “a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer,” says his family in a public statement. Passing away at the age of 51, the artist was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to reports.
In memory of the legend, fellow artists have taken to social media, posting heartfelt messages in response to the news. “I am so lucky to have gotten my copy of VOODOO when I did,” says Tyler, The Creator in a tribute post, “We are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art. My musical DNA was shaped by this man. [I’m] forever grateful. Safe travels.”
Similarly, Mayer Hawthorne of the R&B duo Tuxedo wrote, “Been reading a lot of deep tributes to D’Angelo today, and everyone seems to universally agree that he was not of this world. A truly remarkable individual who had such astonishing gifts that it felt divine or even alien. In a way, it feels normal that he would transition on because he was never meant to be here with us mere mortals in the first place.”
After making his formal debut in 1995 with the full-length album Brown Sugar, D’Angelo has become one of the most established names in R&B today, inspiring many generations of the sound. With his chart-topping 2000 album Voodoo, the icon won the Grammy for Best R&B Album, along with Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” at the 43rd Grammy Awards. With his third and final album, Black Messiah, which was released in 2016, he won a Grammy for Best R&B Album yet again, and Best R&B Song for “Really Love.”
In remembrance of D’Angelo, listen to some of his greatest hits on SpotifySpotifyA digital music, podcast, and audiobook streaming platform that lets users listen to millions of tracks and shows on demand across multiple devices. here: