D’Angelo’s Daughter Remembers Neo-Soul Legend on First Birthday Since His Death

“I sometimes wake up and can’t believe he’s gone,” D’Angelo’s daughter, Imani Archer, tells Okayplayer on the neo-soul legend’s first birthday since his passing. It’s a feeling that much of the world can almost relate to. Almost.

Wielding a sultry, sensuous tenor and earthly tales of Black love, D’Angelo, for many, defined the sound of intimacy. From the time he released Brown Sugar, in 1995, he used those gifts to become a neo-soul icon. His musical skills, and more personally, his fearless humanity made him beloved. “I miss him so much every day.”

D’Angelo passed away of pancreatic cancer last October at the age of 51. Upon news of his passing, Archer, 26, used her social media account to mourn the loss. 

"Dear Daddy, there are no words to describe this immeasurable loss," she wrote in a caption for a post with several images of herself and her father. "I’m in absolute disbelief and shock. You were my biggest hype man. My protector. My biggest musical inspiration. The kindest and most selfless man. And the best father anyone could’ve ever had."

Weeks after his passing, D’Angelo’s friend Busta Rhymes released “Magic,” a song tribute to the late singer. The two had known each other for 35 years. Speaking to Okayplayer, Busta took a moment to contextualize the singer’s legacy.

“The sh*t that he did decide to share with us — when people discover it, now or years from now, [it] is going to still shift the way of thinking,” he says. “For whoever can appreciate real music. People think that it ends because of his physical transition, but it needed to be made clear that there’s nothing about him that’s going to end anytime soon.” 

While fans can listen to his music, it isn’t the same as being able to experience the singer in the physical form. It’s a fact Archer laments today. “My whole world has changed, and it breaks my heart that I’ll never hear his laugh again or wish him a happy birthday. I’d do anything to have him back,” she says. 

“I love my dad more than anything in the world,” she adds. “Please don’t take your loved ones for granted, you never know when it’ll be the last time you hear their voice.”