D’Wayne Wiggins, one of the founding members of the influential R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has passed away at the age of 64 after a battle with bladder cancer. The sad news was confirmed through official social media channels associated with Wiggins and the band. His family released a heartfelt statement highlighting Wiggins’ immense contributions to music and his deep-rooted commitment to nurturing young talent in his hometown of Oakland, California.
Wiggins, a gifted singer and guitarist, co-established Tony! Toni! Toné! alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian Riley in the 1980s. The trio was instrumental in the rise of new jack swing, a genre that expertly combined elements of R&B, hip-hop, pop, dance, and jazz. They burst onto the music scene with their debut album, “Who?”, in 1988, which featured popular tracks such as “Little Water” and “Baby Doll” and achieved gold status from the RIAA.
The group followed up with their second album, “The Revival,” released in 1990, which included the hit “Feels Good” and went platinum. Their third effort, “Sons of Soul,” released in 1993, produced the standout track “If I Had No Loot,” leading to their first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for the track “Anniversary.” They also had the honor of performing at the 1994 Grammy Awards, joining a tribute to celebrated artist Curtis Mayfield alongside renowned musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt.
After their 1996 album “House of Music,” the group entered a period of hiatus. However, they made a significant comeback in 2023 with the “Just Me and You Tour.” In addition to his legacy with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Wiggins ventured into a solo career, releasing “Eyes Never Lie” in 2000. The album showcased 13 tracks, all self-produced and featuring contributions from notable artists like Carlos Santana and Darius Rucker.
Throughout his career, Wiggins continued to thrive behind the scenes, lending his songwriting and production skills to numerous hits. His contributions can be heard in tracks such as Destiny’s Child’s “Fancy” and “Killing Time,” Christina Aguilera’s “Impossible,” Alicia Keys’ “Diary,” and Nivea’s “Have Mercy.”
As the music industry mourns the loss of a passionate artist and mentor, Wiggins will be remembered not only for his remarkable talent but also for his dedication to uplifting the next generation of musicians.
