D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné! dies at 64 days after family announced illness

Yahoo

08-03-2025

D'Wayne Wiggins, best known as a founding member of the influential R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at 64.
Wiggins' death was announced by both his family and Tony! Toni! Toné! in a statement shared on Instagram.
"With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D'Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,' the statement read.
'Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community," the statement added.
News of Wiggins' death comes just two days after Wiggins' family announced that Wiggins, who sang and played guitar in Tony! Toni! Toné!, had been struggling with his health.
'We wanted to share that D'Wayne Wiggins is experiencing medical complications. He is working through it one day at a time,' the family wrote March 5 on Instagram in a statement also shared by Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! formed in Oakland, California, in 1986 and is best known for the 1990s hits 'If I Had No Loot' and 'Feels Good.'
The trio included Wiggins' half-brother Raphael Saadiq on bass and vocals and his cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums and keyboards.
Wiggins and Riley reunited in 2003 to appear on Alicia Keys' track 'Diary,' which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. All three original members later reunited for a 2023 tour.
Wiggins also released a solo album, "Eyes Never Lie," in 2000. From 2005 until 2006, he was the bandleader for "Weekends at the D.L." comedian D. L. Hughley's short-lived talk show on Comedy Central.
Wiggins' musical peers honored him after his death was announced on social media.
"Peaceful Journey DWayne," Salt-N-Pepa deejay Spinderella wrote on Instagram.
'Nooooooo, this is sad news! Sleep in Peace D'Wayne! Praying for you guys!' wrote the vocal group En Vogue.
Legendary percussionist Sheila E. expressed herself with a row of emoji including broken hearts and and a white dove.
Wiggins' family and fellow musicians announced his death in a statement shared on social media.
The statement revealed that Wiggins died of bladder cancer, a common type of cancer that typically begins in the cells that line the bladder, according to the Mayo Clinic. The same kinds of cells, called urothelial cells, are also found the kidneys and ureters.
Symptoms of bladder cancer include:
Blood in urine
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Back pain
If detected early, bladder cancer is highly treatable, however the cancer can return after treatment.
Risks of bladder cancer increases for those who smoke or are older or male. Exposure to certain chemicals also increases the risks for bladder cancer, as does chronic bladder inflammation, a previous cancer diagnosis or a family history of cancer.This article was originally published on TODAY.com