Entertainment
Soul Icon D’Angelo’s Kids Lead 2026 BET Awards Tribute
Less than one year after D’Angelo died at age 51, his three children paid tribute to the soul icon at the 2026 BET Awards.
D’Angelo’s daughter, Imani, and her two brothers, Swayvo (born Michael Archer Jr.) and Morocco, kicked off the star-studded musical tribute on Sunday, June 28, with a sweet message about their late father.
“To the world, he was D’Angelo, to us he was just dad,” Imani began, before Morocco noted that the “Brown Sugar” crooner was their “biggest hype man and protector.”
Morocco continued, “One of the things that brought our father the most joy was performing with his band, The Vanguard.”
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Swayvo, for his part, explained that it was only fitting that The Vanguard helped honor D’Angelo on Sunday.
“So, it’s only right that they’re here with us along with some other special guests to honor the man who meant the whole world to us,” Swayvo stated. “So, Pops, this one’s for you. Let’s do it!”
D’Angelo’s children were joined by Raye, Ari Lennox, George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid and Durand Bernarr to reminisce about the late singer’s discography.
Us Weekly confirmed in October 2025 that D’Angelo died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” a family spokesperson told Us in a statement at the time. “After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today.”
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The rep continued, “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all to join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
D’Angelo is survived by his children, whom she shared with late singer Angie Stone, who died months earlier in aMarch 2025 car accident. She was 63.
“I know you up there enjoying your god body 😂 I hope you got to see grandma and granddaddy,” Swayvo wrote via Instagram at the time. “I want you [to] know how proud I am [of] the person you are. I want you to know how much you inspired me every single day,you never failed me ever ever. You never were a burden to me EVER.”
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