Tributes pour in following the death of R&B pioneer D'Angelo

Tributes have been paid to neo-soul pioneer D'Angelo, following his death at the age of 51.

D'Angelo's family shared the news of his passing on October 14, saying he died "after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer."

It was later revealed that he died from pancreatic cancer in New York City. A family member reportedly told People he spent two weeks in hospice and had been hospitalised for months prior to his death.

He had been working on his fourth album with R&B singer-songwriter and producer Raphael Saadiq. The album is now planned to be released posthumously.

Many of D'Angelo's fellow musicians have taken to social media to express their sadness at the loss of the multi-Grammy winner.

Fellow R&B legend Nile Rodgers honoured D'Angelo by recounting his early career in a post on X.

"My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D'Angelo over to my NYC apt," Rodgers said.

"He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he'd brought with him. I listened to every cut...not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, 'What should I do with it?'

"I remember this as if it were yesterday. I said, "Put it out. It's perfect!" Being the artist he is, I guess he had to explore some ways to make it better. About a year later I heard one of those songs on the radio. It was genius and it was exactly what he had played for me. I know...I still have the original cassette."

My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D'Angelo over to my NYC apt. He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he'd brought with him. I listened to every cut...not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, "What… pic.twitter.com/4KjOKLswP9

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) October 14, 2025

Singer and rapper Missy Elliott sent condolences to Michael Archer Jr — the son of D'Angelo and soul singer Angie Stone, and a fellow musician under the name Swayvo Twain — following Stone's death earlier this year.

"No parent want to see their children go but it’s painful for children to see their parents go to so send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength," said Elliott in a post on X.

Former James Brown bassist Bootsy Collins also posted on X to express his sadness at the news, writing, "Danggit!"

"Say it ain't so, but we just lost a friend, a creator & legend, D'Angelo," Collins wrote.

"Prayer's going out to his family & friends! We all lolve u lil-brother. R.I.P."

Danggit!🤟Say it ain't so, but we just lost a friend, a creator & legend, D'Angelo!😭 Prayer's going out to his family & friends!🙏🙏🙏 We all lolve u lil-brother. R.I.P... pic.twitter.com/I9fmImBxl1

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) October 14, 2025

Beyoncé honoured D'Angelo with a message posted to the front page of her website.

"We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry," said Beyoncé, adding, "You were the pioneer of Neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever. We will never forget you."

Irish band Bricknasty wrote on Instagram that D'Angelo "meant everything to us."

"we worked so hard to one day share a stage with you," Bricknasty said.

"we all loved you so deeply and you changed how we play music permanently. no one will ever be as much of a beautiful gift to music as you. i cannot articulate how deeply this wounds me. we came together because of you. we learned our instruments and our trades through you. you will never ever leave our hearts."

 

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Black Thought, lead MC of The Roots and a friend of D'Angelo's from their involvement with the Soulquarians, wrote on Instagram: "We came up together- young, gifted, Black, and full of fire. Today I lost a brother, a kindred spirit, a genius whose light changed music and changed me. Rest in power, D. This world will never sound the same."

Rapper Aminé recounted his earliest encounter with D'Angelo in a post on X.

"i was 15 when my older cousin took me on a roadtrip to the bay and played me all of brown sugar and voodoo for the very first time," Aminé said.

"my life changed that day and i was obsessed. Rest in paradise D’angelo. U really meant so much to me and my family."

Tyler, the Creator also recalled his memories of D'Angelo in an Instagram post, writing that his early exposure to D'Angelo's work shaped his "musical DNA."

"On my 9th birthday, i landed at Sam Goody at the south bay galleria," Tyler, the Creator said.

"i had $20 in birthday money and my eyes set on leaving with one thing. VOODOO by D'Angelo. Citas World had ‘Left&Right’ on loop; Brown Sugar became a staple at home and nothing even matters by ms.hill was on repeat, so i had no doubt that Voodoo would deliver. I had no idea that would help shape my musical DNA.

"i couldnt understand how someone could write something so simple but personal but broad but genius. thats how special he was. a savant. a true alien. i am so lucky to have gotten my copy of VOODOO when i did. we are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art."

 

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Lauryn Hill, who also contributed to the success of neo-soul and collaborated with D'Angelo on her iconic record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, penned a message directed to D'Angelo after learning the news.

"I regret not having more time with you," Hill said.

"Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God. You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others to action with your genius.

"Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us. Thank you for charting the course and for making space during a time when no similar space really existed."

 

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Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist Flea paid tribute to D'Angelo in an Instagram post, calling him "one of my all time favorites whose records I went to again and again."

"No one did anything funkier over the last 30 years," Flea said.

"I never knew him but humbled myself before his music. What a rare and beautiful voice and an inimitable approach to songwriting. What a musician!!! He changed the course of popular music. Fly free with the angels D’angelo, we will listen to you forever and always be moved. I drop to my knees and pray."

Singer-songwriter Jill Scott expressed her shock at hearing the news mere hours after she shared a post on X praising her favourite artists — a post which coincidentally started with " I love you D’Angelo."

"A mutual friend shared that our beloved D’Angelo was unwell a few days ago," said Scott in one of multiple posts honouring D'Angelo.

"I sent LOVE yesterday. I didn’t know he was leaving us TODAY. Oooooooh my condolences to his family, his musical fam and fans. I am a fan and I mourn."

In another post, she wrote, "I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him."

I told you a long time ago-You ain’t gon understand everything & everything ain’t meant 4 U ,nor I, to understand. I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift. This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I’m so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS. 💔 💔

— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) October 14, 2025

Fellow neo-soul icon Maxwell posted a photo of D'Angelo on Instagram with the caption, "because u were , we are all because."

R&B singer Kehlani also shared a photo of D'Angelo on an Instagram story, adding, "Totally speechless. Thank you for all you gave us. I don’t even know what to say."

On X, Doja Cat called D'Angelo "A true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come."

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson wrote on X, "This really hurts! We lost a true original today. It just doesn’t seem real!! It can’t be . D’Angelo, your voice will live on forever. Rest well, King !!!"

D'Angelo is survived by his three children. His family requested privacy following his death.