Followers of Tony! Toni! Toné! and R&B as a complete acquired the shock of their lives once they realized of the most recent information involving lead singer and guitarist D’Wayne Wiggins. Let’s simply say what’s been revealed received’t make them “really feel good.”
In an Instagram publish shared on Friday from the official group web page, it was revealed that Wiggins handed away after a year-long battle with bladder most cancers. He was 64. Within the caption, the group requested for privateness throughout this troublesome second and thanks followers for all their love and assist. Wiggins passing comes because the third one within the final two weeks alone with the deaths of different legendary artists like Angie Stone and Roy Ayers previous him.
“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and repair impacted tens of millions all over the world, together with in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the publish learn partly. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply obsessed with offering artist improvement and mentorship to rising younger musicians, serving to to form the early careers of many.”
Within the feedback part, fellow musicians and producers similar to Sheila E., Stevie J, Melba Moore, Adam Blackstone, Keyshia Cole, Deborah Cox and extra despatched their condolences and properly needs to the household.
Wiggins, alongside his half-brother Raphael Saadiq and Timothy Christian Riley fashioned the beloved group in 1986 with their debut single “One Night time Stand,” dropping only one yr later. As they rose to fame within the 90s, their hits included songs like “Feels Good,” “Anniversary,” “No matter You Need” and “It By no means Rains (In Southern California) amongst many extra.
As a solo artist, Wiggins launched his personal album again in 2000, titled “Eyes By no means Lie.” His musical prowess additionally performed a job in growing standard lady group Future’s Little one as he produced a myriad of songs for them earlier than they singed with Colombia Data.
Although the group went quiet after their 1996 album, save for an look on Alicia Keys’ 2003 album “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” they reunited once more again in 2023 for a reunion tour and had been slated to carry out collectively at Detroit’s Music Corridor Middle on Might 23, however the efficiency was canceled.
This unhappy information comes simply days after the group alerted followers that Wiggins was coping with some “medical issues, although the specifics of his ailment weren’t disclosed on the time. In a since-deleted publish from singer Miki Howard from earlier this week, she let on extra particulars concerning the “Anniversary” singer’s illness, alleging that he’s been sick for some time now.
The publish, as captured by Blanco Tarantino TV, additionally stated that Wiggins’ illness was the impetus behind why fellow group member Saadiq was pushing for the tour again in 2023. One other supply alleged that Wiggins’ illness can be why people haven’t seen footage of the tour float round on the web or on DVD.
Wiggins’ illness might additionally function another excuse why Saadiq is embarking on a three-night solely, one-man present, starting in Might — with out his well-known brother in tow. The information was revealed by Selection again in February.
Information about Wiggins’ passing is extraordinarily disheartening given the handful of music legends we’ve misplaced within the first three months of 2025 already. The most recent passing was Roy Ayers, who died on March 4 after battling a “lengthy sickness.” His loss of life was preceded by Angie Stone, Roberta Flack and Irv Gotti who all left this Earth on March 1, Feb. 24, and Feb. 5, respectively.
The Root sends its prayers to Wiggins household and all those that knew and cherished him.