Soul singing luminary D'Angelo, who passed away at the age of 51 due to pancreatic cancer, spent his final moments surrounded by the loving care of his family. A source revealed to PEOPLE that the "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" crooner (born Michael Eugene Archer) "had been in hospice for two weeks but had been hospitalized for months." Throughout this challenging journey, his son Mike, Jr., 27, whom he shared with the late R&B icon Angie Stone, remained steadfastly by his side. "His son was there with him the entire time, accompanying him in the hospital," the source shared. "People are genuinely concerned for Mike right now; his mother passed away just a day after his birthday, and now, six months later, he's facing the loss of his father."
Stone tragically died following a devastating car accident on March 1 of this year. Reflecting on Mike, Jr.'s ordeal, the source remarked, "He's endured so much in such a brief span of time."
As for D'Angelo, the singer who rose to widespread fame in the late '90s and early '00s with chart-topping albums and his smoldering charm, he had largely retreated from the public eye in recent years. "D'Angelo was quite eccentric," the source explained. "He had a manager, but he wouldn't work. He became a recluse; he disliked venturing out of the house."
According to the source, the beloved star—who attained heartthrob status during the zenith of his career, largely owing to his provocative, solo "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" music video—grappled with his self-image. "He struggled with his weight. The chiseled, macho figure that captivated audiences wasn't his natural physique. He was naturally a bit heavier," the source elaborated.
The source continued, "He never felt comfortable being a sex symbol, yet he also didn't like people seeing him when he was heavier. He was constantly torn."
The news of his passing is devastating for his family, including his two other children, and his devoted fans. "Such an extraordinary talent has been lost," the source lamented.
DJ Premier, who collaborated with D'Angelo on the 1998 track "Devil's Pie," shared a heartfelt post via X on October 14, expressing his condolences. "Such a tragic loss with the passing of D'Angelo. We shared so many incredible moments. I'm going to miss you so much. Rest peacefully, D'. Love you, KING," he wrote.
The Richmond-born son of a minister burst onto the scene in 1995 with his debut album Brown Sugar, which soared to No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and achieved platinum status within a year of its release. It also garnered D'Angelo four Grammy Award nominations. In 2000, D'Angelo released his sophomore album Voodoo, which topped both the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. He won two Grammy Awards—one for Best R&B Album and another for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," which received Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. He also earned a nomination for Best R&B Song.
