Grammy-winning R&B singer D’Angelo (Michael D’Angelo Archer) died on October 14 at age 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life. 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.” His family added they are “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
D’Angelo, a pioneer of neo-soul, left a lasting mark on music through landmark albums and high-profile collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Common, and Lauryn Hill. His debut, Brown Sugar (1995), reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart, went platinum and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Voodoo (2000) debuted at No. 1 on both the Top R&B Albums chart and the Billboard 200; he won Grammys for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The intimate video for that song cemented his status as a cultural figure. After Voodoo, D’Angelo largely withdrew from the public eye and struggled with substance use; he suffered a serious car crash in 2005. He returned with Black Messiah (2014), another No. 1 R&B debut and a Grammy winner, then remained mostly private. He was announced as a 2025 Roots Picnic headliner but his appearance was canceled due to an “unforeseen medical delay.” Reports indicate he’d been hospitalized for months and in hospice for two weeks.
D’Angelo’s death highlights pancreatic cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed late and has poor survival. The pancreas is a small, deep-seated organ that helps produce insulin and digestive enzymes, and its location makes early detection difficult. The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 70,000 people will be diagnosed and about 52,000 will die of pancreatic cancer in 2025.
Clinicians warn pancreatic cancer often causes few or nonspecific early symptoms, so diagnosis frequently occurs at an advanced stage. Common signs can include:
– abdominal or lower back pain
– weight loss
– jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
– loss of appetite
– dark urine
– light-colored or greasy stools
– diarrhea
– excessive hunger or thirst
– nausea
Pancreatic cancer is most common between ages 65 and 75, so D’Angelo’s death at 51 is unusual, but doctors report a rise in cases among younger adults. “Pancreatic cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 is considered uncommon, yet alarmingly, clinicians are beginning to see a growing number of younger patients affected by this disease,” said Ashish Manne, MD, medical oncologist at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
There is no effective, general population screening test for pancreatic cancer. Experts stress knowing family history and personal risk factors as the best current strategy. Inherited genetic factors may account for up to 10% of cases; people with a family history may consider genetic counseling and testing. For those at high genetic risk, screening can include advanced imaging such as MRI or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to look for early pancreatic changes.
Modifiable risk factors matter. Smoking is the most significant preventable risk and quitting is the single most effective step to lower pancreatic cancer risk. Heavy alcohol use can lead to pancreatitis, which raises risk, so limiting alcohol is advised. Obesity increases the likelihood of pancreatic cancer—people with obesity are about 20% more likely to develop it—and is linked to higher diabetes risk; weight management can reduce both risks.
Treatment options are improving. “We are doing better with treatments and newer combination chemotherapy. There are emerging targeted therapies that already are making an impact,” said Laura Goff, MD, executive medical director for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Cancer Patient Care Center. Still, outcomes remain challenging, and earlier detection would have the biggest effect on survival.
Experts urge education about who is at risk, attention to new or unusual symptoms, and conversations with clinicians about family history and possible genetic testing. As oncologists say, recognizing risk and acting early offers the best chance to improve outcomes and save lives.
