He Died at 64—The R&B Legend’s Private Cancer Battle Has Left Fans Heartbroken, After Years of Giving Music and Mentoring Stars

Singer, guitarist, and record producer D’Wayne Wiggins died in hospice care on Friday, March 7, after battling bladder cancer, his family confirmed in a post on Instagram. He was 64.

The family wrote: “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.”

Wiggins (center) co-founded Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother Raphael Saadiq (left) and his cousin Timothy Christian Riley (right).

Their debut album Who? was released in 1988 and spawned the hits “Little Walter,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, and “Born Not to Know”.

 

They released their follow-up album The Revival in 1990, which spawned the No. 1 singles “Feels Good”, “It Never Rains (In Southern California)”, and “Whatever You Want.”

The group released their double platinum album Sons of Soul in 1993, with lead single, “If I Had No Loot”, and “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow.”

Tony! Toni! Toné! sold over six million albums. In 2006, Tony! Toni! Toné! was included in the New Jack Reunion Tour line-up. They continued to tour internationally.

Wiggins nurtured and signed Destiny’s Child to his Grass Roots Entertainment, which he founded in his West Oakland recording studio. Destiny’s Child went on to become the best-selling girl group of all time.

Wiggins also worked with artists Queen Latifah (pictured), Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Laurneá, and Jody Watley. He released his first solo project on Motown Records, Eyes Never Lie, in 2020.

The album featured contributions by Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish, Jamie Foxx and Carlos Santana.