D’Angelo’s age-gap romance with the late Angie Stone is back in the spotlight following the singer’s tragic death at age 51.
The Grammy-winning star, best known for hits including Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel), passed away on Tuesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
‘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, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025,’ his family wrote in a statement.
Stone, who welcomed their son Michael D’Angelo Archer II — often called Swayvo — in 1998, died tragically in a car accident at age 63 in March. D’Angelo also has two other children: a daughter, born in 1999, and a son, born in 2010.
The former couple dated in the 1990s for four years, starting when she was 30 and he was just 19.
They also collaborated musically: Stone co-wrote and co-produced D’Angelo’s 1995 debut, Brown Sugar, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.
D’Angelo’s age-gap romance with the late Angie Stone is back in the spotlight following the singer’s tragic death at age 51
The Grammy-winning star, best known for hits including Brown Sugar and Untitled (How Does It Feel), passed away on Tuesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer; (pictured 2000)
Stone, who welcomed their son Michael D’Angelo Archer II — often called Swayvo — in 1998, died tragically in a car accident at age 63 in March; (pictured January 2024)
Despite their success, the relationship drew criticism over the age gap.
Stone later addressed the public scrutiny in an interview with Essence, explaining the difference in their ages.
‘I think because D’Angelo was my first relationship, people think that I only date young men. Because I look younger, these guys don’t know my age when they get involved with me and I don’t really know theirs, but I act on spirit,’ she said at the time.
‘The younger guys that I’ve dated have been mature. My man now is older than most of the guys I’ve dated, but still younger than me.’
She added, ‘The criticism that D’Angelo and I received about our relationship only began once he became successful.’
‘What people didn’t realize was that before he became successful there was Angie Stone from the group Vertical Hold—a strong beautiful sister who dated somebody who had not even crossed the threshold of the industry yet,’ she continued.
‘When I was dating him he wore glasses, had short hair and his pants were hanging down to his butt. He was just a 19-year-old kid with big shorts and nobody cared and no one saw his beauty but me.
‘And I told him, ‘You are beautiful. I promise you when your record drops your lips are gonna become famous, your eyes—everything will become famous.’
The pair welcomed their son Michael D’Angelo Archer II — often called Swayvo — in 1998
The former couple dated in the 1990s for four years, starting when she was 30 and he was just 19
Michael D’Angelo Archer II has yet to publicly comment on his father’s death, leaving him mourning both parents in the span of a single year
‘But he couldn’t see it because his self-esteem wasn’t where it is today. He didn’t even have an image and his hair was really short so I braided his hair with thread for his first album cover. It wasn’t until Brown Sugar came out that people actually took a good look at him and said, ‘You know what? He’s fine.’ Then all of a sudden, he’s so fine he shouldn’t be with me.’
She also defended the impact she had on D’Angelo’s early music.
‘To set the record straight, D’Angelo is a genius and he doesn’t need Angie or anybody to make him who he is.’
Reflecting on their status in 2020, she said, ‘D’angelo and I are parents first. For the sake of my son, I would never disrespect his father. I am an understanding sister and it’s a love-hate relationship and I hope people don’t misunderstand my statement.
‘There are times that we are silent and there are times that we laugh. He’ll always have a special place in my heart.’
Stone died at age 63 in a car crash on March 1, 2025, after her van was struck by a large truck in Alabama.
While the van was heading back to Atlanta after a performance, it first flipped over and was then hit by an 18-wheeler truck.
According to a lawsuit filed by her family, Stone was ejected from the van, trapped underneath it, and died at the scene
D’Angelo, for his part, has spoken very little publicly about his romance with Stone and never married.
The legendary singer and Grammy winner passed away from pancreatic cancer in New York City on the morning of October 14.
At the time of his death, he had been working on his highly anticipated fourth album with longtime collaborator Raphael Saadiq, which is now slated for a posthumous release.
A week after Stone’s death, Stone and D’Angelo’s son Swayvo shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
‘Hey mama, I ain’t want nothing, just wanted to say I love you… I want you to know how proud I am at the person you are… you never failed me ever ever… if I had to do it all again I wouldn’t change nothing.’
He also addressed those who mistreated his mother: ‘Your actions were on full display… But no more. Ya’ll folks do not get to use, you don’t get to take advantage, you don’t get to abuse my mother’s kindness and her heart no more.’
Michael D’Angelo Archer II has yet to publicly comment on his father’s death, leaving him mourning both parents in the span of a single year.
