The City of Richmond is paying tribute to D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, a native of Chesterfield, who died Tuesday after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.
D’Angelo was 51.
According to multiple reports, he had been hospitalized for months and in hospice for two weeks before his death.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life…,” his family shared in a statement. “We are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
The family asked the public to join them in “celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
While D’Angelo eventually relocated to New York City to pursue music, he never forgot where he came from, even featuring the renowned Southside Plaza in a music video.
“There is a sense of pride that this young man who grew up in our community did so much in the music industry with what he wrote, how he blended the sounds,” Sheilah Belle, a radio personality for Praise 104.7, told 12 News.
Roots in Richmond
D’Angelo’s death sent shockwaves through Richmond on Tuesday with many crediting him for putting the city on the map for top musical talent.
The city acknowledged the loss of the visionary singer on social media writing: “Today, the city of Richmond mourns the loss of one of our own – the visionary singer, songwriter, and musician, D’Angelo. Richmond born Michael Eugene Archer, broke through with his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995, and continued to receive critical acclaim for future projects. To his family, loved ones, collaborators, and all who held him dear — you have our deepest condolences.”
A local rapper credited the late singer for providing inspiration to artists like himself.
“This is a huge loss for the city,” Michael Millions told RVA Magazine.
D’Angelo was known and respected well beyond the state of Virginia. The Grammy-award winning artist was most known for his contributions to the 1990s neo soul movement, a genre described as a mix of R&B and soul with influences of jazz, hip hop, funk, rock and gospel.
Many of his peers including Beyoncé, Flavor Flav, Tyler, The Creator, Drake and John Legend commented on his passing.
On her website, Beyoncé thanked D’Angelo for his beautiful music, voice, proficiency on the piano and artistry.
“You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever,” she wrote. “We will never forget you.”
RCA Records also released a statement on Tuesday.
“He was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip hop sensibility,” the statement read. “D’Angelo’s songwriting, musicianship and unmistakable vocal styling has endured and will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.”
D’Angelo has been recognized as one of the top singers of all time releasing three albums: “Brown Sugar” (1995), “Voodoo” (2000) and “Black Messiah” (2014). A fourth album was reportedly in the works.
The song and video for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” was among his most notable accomplishments as an artist, earning him a Grammy Award for best male R&B vocal performance. It was also painful for him, according to multiple reports, who said he struggled with being seen as a sex symbol.
He’d go on to win additional Grammy Awards for “Voodoo” (best R&B album), “Black Messiah” (best R&B album) and “Really Love” (best R&B song).
About D’Angelo
Archer was born in the Southside of Richmond, the son of a Pentecostal preacher.
His talent was discovered early, playing the piano as young as three. His first group, Michael Archer & Precise, played venues throughout the city crafting the sound he eventually made famous.
D’Angelo eventually dropped out of school and moved to New York City after winning multiple amateur night competitions at the famed Apollo Theater.
He reportedly battled drug addiction and alcoholism throughout his life.
D’Angelo was scheduled to headline the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in May. However, due to “an unforeseen medical delay,” he had to cancel his performance saying it “could further complicate matters.”
In recent years, he performed at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021 and was featured with Jay-Z on the song “I Want You Forever,” the soundtrack to the film “The Book of Clarence.”
D’Angelo: Untitled (How Does It Feel) music video
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Crystal Graham
