In his assertion, shared Monday, Archer thanked followers for his or her assist throughout what he known as “a very rough and sad year.” His mom, acclaimed soul singer Angie Stone, died in March, marking a double tragedy that has left him grieving two of music’s most beloved voices.

“I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times,” Archer wrote. “I ask that you please continue to keep me in your thoughts, as it will not be easy. But one thing that both my parents taught me was to be strong, and I intend to do just that.”

Michael Archer II Pays Tribute To D’Angelo & Angie Stone

The message struck a chord throughout the music neighborhood, the place followers and fellow artists have expressed an outpouring of sympathy for the one son of two R&B icons. On social media, tributes to D’Angelo celebrated his groundbreaking contributions to the neo-soul motion, whereas others mirrored on the immense expertise he and Stone shared via their artistry and affect.

D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virginia, redefined trendy soul together with his 1995 debut Brown Sugar and his Grammy-winning 2000 album Voodoo. Known for his uncooked musicianship and introspective songwriting, he grew to become a defining voice of his era, usually in comparison with Prince and Marvin Gaye for his emotional depth and musical innovation.

Now, because the music world continues to mourn, Michael Archer II stands on the heart of an unimaginable loss. His phrases mirror the power and dignity that outlined each his dad and mom’ legacies—a reminder of resilience within the face of grief, and of the lasting affect D’Angelo and Angie Stone made on generations of listeners.