A reference of American neo-soul, songs like “Lady”, “Brown Sugar” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” are among his greatest hits.
D’Angelothe influential four-time Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter and producer, with several major R&B hits such as “Lady”, “Brown Sugar” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”in addition to two albums that reached the Top 5, died today of cancer. He was 51 years old.
His family confirmed the news in a statement, writing: “The bright star of our family has dimmed its light for us in this life… “After a long and courageous battle with cancer, it breaks our hearts to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home.”
D’Angelo’s musical success
Born Michael Archer on February 11, 1974, D’Angelo’s first chart success was as co-writer and producer of “U Will Know”a Top 5 R&B hit for supergroup Black Men United in 1994, from the film Jason’s Lyric. It also entered the Pop Top 25.
The following year, he released his debut album, Brown Sugar, which debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and spawned hit singles with its title track, “Cruisin'” and “Lady.” All three reached the R&B Top 5, and the slow “Lady” reached the pop Top 10.
Brown Sugar would spend over a year on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at No. 22 and going platinum in early 1996. IT earned a Grammy nomination for R&B Album of the Year, two more for the song. “Brown Sugar” and another for “Lady”.
But D’Angelo would suffer writer’s block, by his own admission, as a result of this and would not release his next album for five years. But when he did, Voodoo It was a success.
The album received rave reviews and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It earned D’Angelo his first two Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Album and Male R&B Performance for “(Untitled) How Does It Feel”which was also nominated for Best R&B Song.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
