Neo-soul legend D’Angelo died last week in New York City of pancreatic cancer, a source confirmed to People. He was 51 years old.

 

“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,“ the singer’s family told People.  ”After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025."

  

 

“He was in hospice for two weeks but had been in the hospital for months,” a source told People.

 

Throughout his career, the Grammy Award–winning R&B artist and Brown Sugar hitmaker released several albums and collaborated with iconic artists such as Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Jay-Z. He was also credited with ushering in the neo-soul movement, a genre of music that blends elements of funk, jazz fusion, hip hop and rock.

“We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind,” D’Angelo’s family told People. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

 

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About 67,440 people are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and about 51,980 die of the disease annually, according to the American Cancer Society.

 

Early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer increases the likelihood of long-term survival. Unfortunately, cancer of the pancreas generally has no symptoms, making it difficult to detect at early stages. Symptoms typically start once tumors have spread beyond the pancreas; these may include: 

 

  • Unexplained fatigue or weakness;
  • Pain in the upper abdomen;
  • Bloated or swollen abdomen;
  • Diarrhea or constipation;
  • Nausea or vomiting;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Unexplained weight loss;
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes);
  • Fever or chills;
  • Dark urine or pale stools.

 

To learn more, click #Pancreatic Cancer. There, you’ll see headlines such as “University of Colorado Launches Pancreatic Cancer Program With $15M Philanthropic Gift,” “Cancer Super-Survivors May Hold Keys to New Treatments” and “Alarming Rise in Many Gastrointestinal Cancers in Young People.”