‘A True Voice of Soul’: Doja Cat, Missy Elliott and More Pay Tribute to D’Angelo

D’Angelo, the influential neo-soul pioneer, has died at the age of 51 following a battle with cancer. The R&B legend’s family confirmed his passing on Tuesday morning in a statement to Variety, marking the end of a career that fundamentally shaped contemporary soul music.

The Virginia-born artist rose to prominence in the 1990s with his distinctive blend of R&B and hip-hop, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the neo-soul movement. His debut album Brown Sugar introduced audiences to his innovative sound, while Voodoo and his final release, 2014’s Black Messiah with the Vanguard, solidified his status as a musical visionary.

The music community has responded with an outpouring of tributes, reflecting the widespread respect for D’Angelo’s artistry. DJ Premier was amongst the first to share his condolences on social media, describing the loss as “such a sad loss” and reminiscing about their “many great times” together. “Gonna miss you so much,” Premier wrote. “Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING.”

Doja Cat expressed her grief on X, writing: “Rest in peace D’angelo. My thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends. A true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.”

Missy Elliott acknowledged the personal tragedy beyond the musical loss, noting: “Rest Peacefully D’Angelo. 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.”

Neo-soul compatriot Jill Scott offered a particularly heartfelt tribute, stating: “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.”

D’Angelo’s death represents a significant loss for the neo-soul genre, which he helped define through his experimental approach to traditional R&B.

Check out more tributes below.

Man. Rest in peace D’ Angelo. 🕊️

— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) October 14, 2025

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

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— T (@tylerthecreator) October 14, 2025