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.
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