D’Wayne Wiggins, singer and guitarist for the popular R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died of cancer, his family announced on the group’s verified social media Friday.
He was 64.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” according to their statement. “He has been fighting bladder cancer in private and with courage for the past year. Throughout the fight, he remained committed and present to his family, music, fans, and community.”
Wiggins was a co-founder of the band, which also featured his half-brother Raphael Saadiq on bass and vocals and cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums and keyboards. Tony! Toni! Toné! formed in their hometown of Oakland, California, in 1986. The following year, they released “One Night Stand,” their debut single.
Their album “Who?” and the hit single “Little Walter” were released in 1988.
They rose to prominence in the ’80s and ’90s New Jack Swing music movement. Their hits “Feels Good,” “Whatever You Want,” “Anniversary,” “It Never Rains (in Southern California)” and “Just Me and You” are now considered classics.
The three singers eventually parted ways to pursue solo projects, but they remained close in ways that many other groups have not.
“There is nothing like being at home, and being on stage together is like being in our living room,” Wiggins told CNN in 2023, when the group reunited for a tour after 25 years apart. “Timing is everything.”
He told CNN that they learned from artists such as Earth Wind and Fire to improve their craft over time.
“It is about building a brand,” Wiggins explained at the time. “Not many R&B or even in hip-hop artists understand that, but we do.”
His family reflected on his accomplishments in a statement.
“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the two authors wrote. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor, and founder of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply committed to developing artists and mentoring emerging young musicians, and he helped shape many people’s early careers.
Wiggins’ family emphasized how his efforts helped shape the early careers of artists such as Destiny’s Child, H.E.R, Keyshia Cole, and Alicia Keys.
“He created musical sanctuaries for established and emerging artists to cultivate their talents in studio and stage spaces where all-night jam sessions were legendary,” his family told CNN on Friday afternoon.
“Services are being planned so we can honor his life and his pioneering legacy,” they informed us. “We will share more details as they are available.”
The announcement of his death came just days after a post stating that Wiggins was “experiencing medical complications.”