07-03-2025
D'Wayne Wiggins Dies: Co-Founder Of R&B Hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné! Was 64
D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the hitmaking R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, died Friday of cancer at his home in Oakland, CA. He was 64.
His family confirmed the news in an Instagram post, writing: 'With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D'Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones. 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.'
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Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Wiggins started Tony! Toni! Toné! in 1986 with his younger brother Raphael Saddiq — né Charles Ray Wiggins — and their cousin Timothy Christian in Oakland. Melding styles including R&B, soul, funk, soul and gospel, they rode the New Jack Swing wave of the early '90s and had three Top 10 pop hits with 'Feels Good' in 1990 and 'If I Had No Loot' and 'Anniversary' in 1993.
Their debut single, 'Little Walter,' made the top half of the Billboard Hot 100 but topped its R&B chart. It was the first of a dozen Top 10 R&B hits for Tony! Toni! Toné! through 1996, five of which hit No. 1. The group was equally adept with dancefloor fodder and gentle ballads.
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The trio's made four studio albums — Who? (1988), The Revival (1990), Sons of Soul (1993) and House of Music (1996) — all of which went platinum except their debut, which went gold each achieved gold.
'D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world,' his family added in their statement. 'He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.
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