R&B artiste D'Angelo dies after cancer battle, THA matter unresolved

D'Angelo -

R&B award-winning singer Michael Eugene Archer, known to his fans as D’Angelo, died at 51 after a battle with cancer.

In 2017, the American soul singer rose into the TT spotlight when he failed to show for his contracted performance at the Tobago Jazz Experience World Music Night at Pigeon Point Heritage Park on April 29.

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is yet to recover its down payment to have the artiste appear at the festival.

In a statement on October 14, his family said “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.”

The family said they were saddened that he could only leave dear memories with his family.

“... but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

Then secretary of tourism and culture Nadine Stewart-Phillips in response to a question on what the THA was doing to recover the money paid to D’Angelo, from now THA Chief Secretary and electoral representative for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside Farley Augustine said “several attempts were made through the (THA) legal department to recover monies paid to the company and no favourable feedback was received. The legal department was instructed to initiate legal action against, Eleven Entertainment Company Ltd.”

Eleven Entertainment Company Ltd was contracted to procure the services of D’ Angelo and other artistes on behalf of THA for the jazz festival.

Then chairman of the Jazz Festival Committee, John Arnold, had told the media on the final night of the jazz festival on April 30 at Pigeon Point that D’Angelo cost $430,000, that the down payment was still in the artiste’s possession and the THA had given a timeline of three months to collect a refund.

Arnold had told the media that D’ Angelo was unable to perform because his grandfather died, that “our job right now is not to search to find out if his grandfather really died, we have an agency to do that on our behalf. We are just going with the information that is given to us by the agency.”

Newsday attempted to get an update on the situation from Augustine, Deputy Chief Secretary Dr Faith Brebnor as well as Culture Secretary Zorisha Hackett, however all calls and messages went unanswered.