Music World Stunned by Death of D’Wayne Wiggins After Cancer Fight
D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died on March 7, 2025, at the age of 64. His death followed a year-long battle with bladder cancer. His family confirmed the news and requested privacy as they mourn his passing.
Wiggins was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He helped form Tony! Toni! Toné! in Oakland, California, during the late 1980s. The group also included his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian Riley. Together, they created a sound that mixed classic soul with modern R&B, earning both critical praise and commercial success.
The group released several hit albums, including Who? (1988), The Revival (1990), and Sons of Soul (1993). Their best-known songs include Feels Good, It Never Rains (In Southern California), Anniversary, and If I Had No Loot. Wiggins’s smooth guitar style and stage presence were key to the group’s success. He helped shape their sound and image, balancing tradition with innovation.
After the group’s peak, Wiggins continued working in music. He founded Grass Roots Entertainment in Oakland and used his studio to support emerging talent. He played a major role in the early careers of artists like Destiny’s Child and Keyshia Cole. His work behind the scenes showed his deep knowledge of music and his commitment to nurturing new voices.
Wiggins also released solo work and collaborated with a wide range of artists. He remained active in music for decades, writing, producing, and mentoring. He was respected not just as a performer, but also as a builder of community and talent.
In 2024, Wiggins was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He kept his illness mostly private, focusing on treatment and spending time with his family. Despite the diagnosis, he remained in touch with fans and collaborators and continued to support local music projects when possible.
His death on March 7 led to an outpouring of tributes from across the music world. Fellow musicians, producers, and fans shared memories of Wiggins’s influence and kindness. Raphael Saadiq released a short message calling his brother “a true artist and a fearless spirit.” Others praised his role in shaping the sound of modern R&B and supporting the next generation of performers.
D’Wayne Wiggins is survived by his children, family members, and many longtime collaborators. His family plans to hold a private funeral, with a public memorial celebration expected later this year in Oakland.
Wiggins’s legacy lives on through the music he created and the artists he supported. Tony! Toni! Toné!’s influence continues to be felt in today’s R&B, and Wiggins’s contributions remain a key part of that history.
He will be remembered for his talent, his generosity, and the soul he brought to everything he touched.
