In Memoriam: D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné! dies at 64 after battle with cancer

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the iconic R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, has passed away, his family announced on social media.

He was 64.

Passing details on D’Wayne Wiggins

Wiggins had been battling bladder cancer, his family said. He passed away Friday, March 7.

“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” Tony! Toni! Toné! wrote in an Instagram post published Friday. “Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TONY! TONI! TONÉ! (@tonytonitoneofficial)

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

The announcement came two days after Wiggins’ family posted that he was “experiencing medical complications” that he was “working through… one day at a time.”

D’Wayne Wiggins was a Grammy-nominated singer, guitarist, producer, and composer

Wiggins founded Tony! Toni! Toné! in Oakland in 1986 with half-brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley, and the group released its first album, Who?, two years later.

The legendary group from Oakland, California achieved its greatest commercial success in 1993 when their album Sons of Soul went double platinum. Over their decade-long run, the trio had a dozen singles in Billboard’s Top 10 R&B/hip-hop chart like “It Feels Good” and “It Never Rains … In Southern California”, thanks to their “seamless fusion of new jack swing, gospel roots, and classic R&B influences,” according to their website.

Life after Tony! Toni! Toné!

In 1996, Tony! Toni! Toné! separated and pursued solo careers. Wiggins started Grass Roots Entertainment label, helping to nurture the early careers of Destiny’s Child. He released his first solo project in 2000, which featured collaborations with Darius Rucker and Carlos Santana.

In 2003, he earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Alicia Keys’ single “Diary.”

Wiggins continued touring with Tony! Toni! Toné! over the years, and in 2023, Saadiq, 58, reunited with the group for a reunion tour.