Latest news with #SonsofSoul
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
D'Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné! co-founder, dead at 64
D'Wayne Wiggins, the singer, guitarist, and co-founder of the influential R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at the age of 64 after battling bladder cancer. His passing was confirmed through official social media accounts, with his family honoring his legacy in a heartfelt statement. 'D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,' his family said. 'He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, and mentor, deeply passionate about artist development.' Wiggins co-founded Tony! Toni! Toné! in the 1980s alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian Riley. The group played a key role in shaping new jack swing, blending R&B, hip-hop, pop, and jazz. Their debut album, Who? (1988), achieved gold certification, while The Revival (1990) went platinum with hits like Feels Good. Their 1993 album Sons of Soul brought further success with the hit If I Had No Loot and earned a Grammy nomination. The group performed at the 1994 Grammy Awards in a tribute to Curtis Mayfield. After their last album, House of Music (1996), the trio took a hiatus before reuniting in 2023 for the Just Me and You Tour. Beyond his work with the band, Wiggins was a prolific producer and songwriter, collaborating with Destiny's Child, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, and Nivea. His contributions to R&B and his mentorship of young artists leave a lasting legacy.
NBC News
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
D'Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné! founding member, dies at 64
D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the legendary Bay Area R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, passed away Friday, his family announced on social media. He was 64. Wiggins had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, his family said. 'With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D'Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,' Tony! Toni! Toné! wrote in an Instagram post published Friday. '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 message said. Oakland's Tony! Toni! Toné! first rose to fame in the late 1980s. The group achieved its greatest commercial success in 1993 when their album ' Sons of Soul ' went double platinum.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
D'Wayne Wiggins death: Tony! Toni! Toné! singer and guitarist dies aged 64
D'Wayne Wiggins, who was a founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died. He was 64. Wiggins sang and played guitar in the band, which he formed in Oakland, California, in 1986 with his brother Raphael Saadiq (born Charles Ray Wiggins) and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley. In a statement posted on social media, the Wiggins family said: '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.' The statement continued: 'D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. 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.' It concluded: 'For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support.' Wiggins was born on February 14, 1961. He was born in West Oakland and raised in East Oakland, attending Castlemont High School. At the age of 25, he founded Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother, who also sang and played bass, and his cousin on drums. They released their debut album, Who?, in 1988, featuring the single 'Little Walter,' which topped the soul charts. 1990 follow-up The Revival included the new jack swing hit 'Feels Good'. The group enjoyed their biggest commercial success with 1993's Sons of Soul, which went double platinum. They released their fourth and final album, House of Music, in 1996 before splitting. In 2000, Wiggins released his solo album, Eyes Never Lie, which featured collaborations with Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish, Jamie Foxx and Carlos Santana and is credited as influencing the development of the neo soul genre. In 2003, Wiggins appeared on the track 'Diary' from Alicia Keys's album The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song was nominated for a Grammy. In 2023, Tony! Toni! Toné! reunited for the 'Just Me and You Tour' of the US to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Sons of Soul. It was the group's first tour in twenty-five years.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tony! Toni! Toné! Updates Fans On D'Wayne Wiggins' Health: 'One Day At A Time'
Tony! Toni! Toné! is reassuring fans regarding D'Wayne Wiggins' health. On Wednesday (Mar. 5), the band issued an update on one of its founding members following reports that he was receiving hospice care. 'We wanted to share that D'Wayne Wiggins is experiencing medical complications. He is working through it one day at a time,' the post reads. 'We know how beloved he is by so many, and we are grateful for your prayers and concern. We also request that you respect the family's privacy during this time. Much love, The Wiggins Family.' As previously reported by Blanco Tarantino TV on Tuesday (Mar. 4), Wiggins was said to have been receiving end-of-life treatment after 'battling serious health complications.' The post then goes on to detail why Wiggins' brother, Raphael Saadiq, was allegedly pushing for a Tony! Toni! Toné! reunion tour in 2023 and why the footage from the show has yet to be released on DVD. 'Wiggins was recently assisted off-stage, raising concerns about his well-being. Fans, friends, and fellow artists have begun sending their prayers and positive energy, as he is said to need all the support he can get,' the post adds. There hasn't been an exact explanation of what D'Wayne Wiggins is currently diagnosed with. D'Wayne Wiggins is one of the founding members of the funk, soul, and R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné!. The full band's lineup is comprised of Wiggins, Raphael Saadiq, and their cousin, Timothy Christen, who made a splash on the scene in the late '80s and '90s. The band's 1993 album, Sons of Soul, capitalized on the success of their 1990 effort, The Revival, and catapulted the trio into a new stratosphere. The LP featured hits like '(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow' and the timeless, elegant slow jam, 'Anniversary.' D'Wayne Wiggins, along with his bandmates, has inspired generations of musicians, including The Internet, Anderson .Paak, Maxwell, Bruno Mars, and more. VIBE sends a prayer to D'Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and the rest of their family and friends. More from Raphael Saadiq Reveals Beyoncé's "CUFF IT" Was Originally For Tony! Toni! Toné! Keyshia Cole Hated Hit Ballad "Love", Says Iconic Riff Was An "Accident" Raphael Saadiq Reunites With Tony! Toni! Toné! For New Tour
