Reflecting on a Year of Loss: Michael Archer Jr. Coping with the Deaths of D’Angelo and Angie Stone
The Passing of a Neo-Soul Legend
It was a somber day on October 14, 2025, when the family of D’Angelo announced his death at the age of 51, following a prolonged fight with pancreatic cancer. The artist, revered for his contributions to the neo-soul genre, left behind a legacy of music and influence, encapsulated in albums like Brown Sugar and Voodoo. In a heartfelt statement, his family remarked, “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life”.
Tragic Loss of Angie Stone
Only seven months prior, the music world reeled from another loss: Angie Stone. The iconic singer and a founding member of The Sequence met with a tragic accident on March 1. She died in a car crash while returning from a performance in Alabama. “The Sprinter flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig. Thankfully, all survived except for Angie,” Walter Millsap of Conjunction Entertainment lamented in a statement.
Michael Archer Jr.’s Heartfelt Statements
Caught in the whirlwind of grief, Michael Archer Jr. has openly expressed his sorrow and gratitude for the support he has received during this challenging period. He reached out to friends and fans saying, “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times, as it has been a very rough and sad year for me,” in a conversation reported by People.
Legacy and Memories
Michael, who performs under the stage name Swayvo Train, has kept his parents’ memories alive through various tributes, including sharing moments from their lives together. An emotional post on Instagram captured his grief when Angie Stone passed away: “Hey mama, I ain’t want nothing, just wanted to say I love you … Im so grateful for the lessons that I learned from you,” he expressed in a touching post.
Moreover, in another digital remembrance, he shared a video clip from MTV’s Family Legacy, which featured an episode titled “Heart and Neo-Soul (Ginuwine and D’Angelo).” The clip showed him and Stone watching an interview of D’Angelo discussing his life changes after becoming a father, which Archer found inspirational. See the clip and another related moment on his Instagram.
Moving Forward
Despite the dual tragedies, Michael Archer Jr. remains committed to living by the values his parents instilled in him – strength, resilience, and love for music. He hopes to continue their legacies not only through his music but also by embodying the lessons they taught him throughout their lives.