Less than one year later D’Angelo died at the age of 51, his three children honored the soul icon at the 2026 BET Awards.
D’Angelo’s daughter, Imani, and her two brothers, Swayvo (born Michael Archer Jr.) and Morocco, began paying tribute to the music stars on Sunday, June 28, with a sweet message about their late father.
“To the world, he was D’Angelo, to us he was just a father,” Imani began, before Morocco noted that the “Brown Sugar” singer was “their big man and their protector.”
Morocco continued, “One of the things that made my father very happy was singing with his band, Vanguard.
Swayvo, for his part, explained that it was appropriate that The Vanguard help honor D’Angelo on Sunday.
“Therefore, it is right that they are here with us and other special guests to honor a man who meant the world to us,” said Swayvo. “So, Pop, this one’s yours. Let’s do it!”
D’Angelo’s children are together Raye, Ari Lennox, George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid again Durand Bernard commemorating the late artist’s discography.
Us Weekly confirmed in October 2025 that D’Angelo died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“The bright star of our family has lost its light in this life,” said a family spokesperson Us in a statement at the time. “After a long battle with cancer, we are saddened to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, leaving this life today.”
The 2026 BET Awards will celebrate all the nominees and winners in a big cultural night. Druski hosted the event on Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Cardi B leads this year’s nominees with six votes. Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist follow closely behind with five nominations each, while Doechii, Doja […]
The spokesperson continued, “We are saddened that he left only fond memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the incredibly moving musical legacy he left behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all to join us in mourning his passing as we celebrate the gift of music he left to the world.”
D’Angelo is survived by his children who lived with the late singer Angie Stone, who died months ago in a car accident in March 2025. He was 63 years old.
“I know you are up there enjoying your god body 😂 I hope you found your grandparents,” Swayvo wrote on Instagram at the time. “I want you [to] know how proud I am [of] the person you are. I want you to know how much you inspire me every day, you have never failed me. You have never been a burden to me EVER.”
