Oct. 14 (UPI) -- D'Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B legend who rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s with hits such as "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" and "Lady," died Tuesday, his family announced. He was 51.
Born Michael Eugene Archer in 1974, the singer's family said he died "after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer."
"The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life," a statement provided to CNN said.
"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 showed an interest in music from a early age growing up in Richmond, Va., but his career began to take off in the mid-1990s with the release of his first album, Brown Sugar. The album included the single "Lady," which hit the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 list.
