Michael Archer Jr. Reflects on D’Angelo’s & Angie Stone’s Absence
There wasn't a dry eye in sight during ABC's live special, Love & Neo-Soul: Honoring D'Angeloas Michael Archer Jr. opened up about the deep pain of losing both of his parents within months of each other.
The tribute celebrated the life and cultural influence of D'Angeloborn Michael Eugene Archer, whose influence helped define an era of soul music. But the most heartbreaking moments came from his son, who spoke candidly about grief, unfinished conversations and the future he believed they would share.
“I feel, like, cheated in a sense, you know, especially with my father. I was just excited for what the future held for us,” said Archer Jr.
That sense of loss is low. Around June or July 2025, Archer Jr. said. that he noticed that his father's voice sounded weak during a phone call. “His voice sounded weak, but he was still trying to talk to me,” he recalled. Soon after, he learned that his father was hospitalized with pancreatic cancer.
The news came when he was still about his mother, Angie Stone, who tragically died in a car accident just seven months earlier in March. The back-to-back losses were compounded by the death of his grandmother, which allowed the young artist to navigate unimaginable grief in a short time.
Despite the emotional weight, Archer Jr. He shared that he turned to music and weightlifting as outlets. More importantly, he revealed that he recently started therapy. “I just started seeing a therapist,” he said. “That helped me.”
The 2026 Grammy Awards paid tribute to D'Angelo's legacy with special performances by Lauryn Hill, Raphael Saadiq, and Leon Thomas. Archer Jr. described the moment as “bittersweet.” Although proud to see his father honored on music's biggest stage, the reality of his absence was undeniable. He also made it clear that in his mind honoring his father goes hand in hand with honoring his mother.
When he steps into his own artistry, Archer Jr. focused on making music without labels.
“I make songs that give you a feeling,” he explained. “Whether it's good, bad, or makes you reflect, the goal is just to make you feel SOMETHING…if you do, then my job is done.”
He often refers to one of his father's favorite quotes: “I never claimed neo-soul…I make black music.”
Earlier this month, Archer Jr. and his sister Imani their father's first heavenly birthday on February 11. Imani shared a heartfelt message about the difficulty of adjusting to life without him, and underscored the depth of the family's loss.
By the special, artists included D-nice, Ari Lennox, Another day, Lucky Dayand Elmiene reflected on the lasting impact D'Angelo left on music and culture. Their tributes reinforced what fans have long known: his artistry changed modern soul and inspired a generation.
Still, beyond the praise and performances, the most powerful reminder of the night was simple. Behind every legend is a family learning how to live with the silence they left behind.
“Love & Neo-Soul: Honoring the Legacy of D'Angelo,” is hosted by Rocsi Diaz and is now streaming on Disney Plus and Hulu.
