Founding member of the Grammy-nominated R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone! D’Wayne Wiggins passed away on Friday morning after a year-long battle with bladder cancer. He was 64 years old.
“D'Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the family said. “He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.”
Despite his fight against cancer, Wiggins “remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community,” his family said.
The Instagram post had received nearly 60,000 likes on Saturday, with the city of Oakland and former San Francisco Mayor London Breed among those responding in the comments.
“The world has lost a true legend, but Oakland has lost one of its own. Dwayne Wiggins was more than an artist—he was a visionary, a mentor, and a champion for his community,” Breed wrote.
Breed called Wiggins “A true legend with a heart of gold.”
As a vocalist and bass guitarist, Wiggins was part of the iconic group alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley. Tony! Toni! Tone! emerged as a key act in the New Jack Swing movement, blending R&B, jazz, and gospel melodies.
Their debut album “Who?” in 1988 introduced hits like “Baby Doll” and “Little Walter,” but it was their 1990 album “Feels Good” that catapulted them to the mainstream, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
The group’s subsequent albums included party anthems such as “Let’s Get Down” and timeless slow jams such as “Whatever You Want,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow,” and “Anniversary,” a staple in black music romance. Their rendition of “It Never Rains” was a cover of Albert Hammond’s 1972 hit.
Despite their success, the group faced challenges that eventually led to their separation after their fourth album, “House of Music,” in 1996. Factors such as fame, finances, miscommunication, and creative differences led to its inevitable end.
Continuing under the same name, Wiggins and Riley continued to tour from 1998 to 2018 with Amar Khalil taking over lead vocals. During his career, Wiggins also helped shape young artists such as Zendaya, H.E.R., Kehlani, and Destiny’s Child.
The original members reunited for a tour in 2023, which was initiated by Saadiq. The three have since vowed to stick together.
In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Wiggins said the group had plans for new music. “We got a lot of material, and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music,” he said.
