India, Oct. 15 -- D'Angelo, the acclaimed neo-soul singer who helped redefine R&B in the 1990s and early 2000s, died on Tuesday, October 14, after a long battle with cancer. He was 51. His family confirmed the news, stating that the singer - born as Michael Eugene Archer - died after "a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer."

The statement, shared with Variety, described him as "the shining star of our family" and asked for privacy, adding that his legacy of "extraordinarily moving music" would live on.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, D'Angelo's love for music began in the church, where he played piano alongside his father, a Pentecostal minister. By his teens, he was performing in local groups.

He landed his first big break in 1993 ...