R&B singer D’Wayne Wiggins passes away

Singer D’Wayne Wiggins, one of the founding members of R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné!, passed away at the age of 64.

Wiggins’ death was announced by his family in a statement on social media. He passed away on the morning of Friday, March 7 as he had been battling bladder cancer since last year.

“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the family said in their statement.

Wiggins was known for mentoring emerging artists and was passionate about developing young musicians at the early stage of their careers. He helped kickstart the careers of singers such as Keyshia Cole and Destiny’s Child via his label Grass Roots Entertainment.

The Oakland native founded Tony! Toni! Toné! in 1986 with his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley. The band’s first album Who? was released in 1988 but it was not until 1993 that the band found mainstream success with their third album Sons of Soul.

In 2000, Wiggins released his solo album titled Eyes Never Lie. He rejoined Tony! Toni! Toné! in 2023 for their reunion tour Just Me and You.