Inside His Final Days and Lasting Legacy

TMZ and People report that D’Angelo spent months hospitalized before being moved to hospice care, where he faced his illness with those closest by his side. His son, Mike Jr., was reportedly present during his final moments, continuing a bond that would be tested by loss once again — Mike Jr.’s mother, the late Angie Stone, passed away just days before his birthday.

Born in Virginia and steeped in church music, D’Angelo began playing piano at age three. He released his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995, followed by Voodoo and later Black Messiah. The latter reasserted his artistic voice after a long hiatus, topping R&B charts and earning critical acclaim. His father’s role as a pastor and early involvement in gospel music deeply influenced his sound and purpose.

Tributes began pouring in immediately. DJ Premier wrote, “Such a sad loss … Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING.” Justin Timberlake spoke of D’Angelo’s impact on his own career, calling him transformative.

D’Angelo leaves behind not just a discography, but a movement — a legacy in neo-soul and R&B that reshaped how music could feel, sound, and move us. His life reminds us that artists can be vulnerable, human, and deeply powerful — even as they endure their greatest struggles.