Tony! Toni! Tone! Musician d’Ayne Wiggins death at 64

D’Wane Wiggins, a Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with the soul/R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, Has died. He was 64.

Wiggin’s death was announced On Friday, March 7 on the band’s official Instagram in a statement that said he had “privately and bravely fought wind cancer” during the past year.

“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved d’Ayne died this morning surrounded by family and friends,” reads the statement. “During the past year he has been private and bravely fought bladder cancer. Through this struggle he remained committed and present to his family, his music, his fans and his community. ”

The statement continued and said that Wiggin’s “life was incomparable”, and that his contribution to the world affected millions of people, including in his hometown of Oakland, Calif.

“He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, ”Said the statement. “He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentoring to emerging young musicians and helped shape the early careers for many.”

The announcement came two days after Wiggin’s family Posted that he “experienced medical complications” that he “worked through … one day at a time.”

Wiggins founded Tony! Toni! Tone! In Oakland 1986 with half brother Raphael Sadiq and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley, and the group released their first album, WHO?Two years later.

They broke through with the critically acclaimed album The sons of the soul 1993 before releasing his fourth and last album Music house 1996. During their decade long driving, the trio received a dozen singles Message boardTop 10 R & B/HIP-HOP charts thanks to their “seamless fusion of new jackswing, gospel roots and classic R&B influence”, according to their website.

1996, Tony! Toni! Tone! Went their separate roads to conduct solo careers. Wiggins – which is also credited to help care for the early careers Destiny’s Child On his Grass Roots Entertainment -label – released its first solo project 2000, which included collaborations with Carlos Santana and Darius Rucker.

2003 he received a Grammy nomination for his work on Alicia keys“Single” Diary “.

Wiggins continued to tour with Tony! Toni! Tone! Over the years, and 2023, Saadiq, 58 with the group for a reunion tour, reunited.