At 27, Michael Archer Jr.—the son of neo-soul legends D’Angelo and Angie Stone—has endured what few can imagine: the loss of both parents within months. His mother died in a car crash in March 2025. His father passed away of pancreatic cancer in October 2025.
In a statement shared with media, Archer Jr. expressed gratitude for public support. “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times, as it has been a very rough and sad year for me,” he said. “I ask that you please continue to keep me in your thoughts as it will not be easy, but one thing that both my parents taught me was to be strong, and I intend to do just that.”
A Year of Heartbreak
Archer Jr. lost his mother, Angie Stone, on March 1 2025, after a highway van-crash in Alabama that claimed her life at age 63. His father, D’Angelo (born Michael Eugene Archer), died Oct. 14 (or Oct. 24, per some reports) at age 51, following a private battle with pancreatic cancer.
“He was there when I needed him most after the passing of momma,” Archer Jr. wrote of his father. “Unfortunately, time ran out.” A source close to the family told People magazine: “People are really worried about Mike right now… he’s been through a lot in such a short amount of time.”
Archer Jr. publicly clarified that a statement circulating under his name wasn’t his. He wrote: “I know it wasn’t done with malicious intent, but today I’m not in any state of mind to make any statements. I wasn’t planning to.” He also reflected on his own path: he’s a musician, known online as “Swayvo Twain,” navigating grief while preparing his next chapter.
His parents each left deep marks on the music world. D’Angelo had groundbreaking albums such as Brown Sugar and Voodoo, reshaping neo-soul. Angie Stone, likewise, earned acclaim with hits including “No More Rain (In This Cloud).”
For Archer Jr., their legacies carry weight beyond the stage. In his message after his mother’s death, he wrote: “Hey, mama, I ain’t want nothing, just wanted to say I love you… you never failed me ever ever…I’m so grateful for the lessons that I learned from you.”
In his brief public remarks, Archer Jr. invited ongoing support and respect for his privacy. He asked: “Please continue to keep me in your thoughts.” His resilience echoes the message his parents imparted: be strong, keep creating, and carry on.
He now faces the dual task of mourning and moving forward. Music insiders say he is quietly working in the studio, trying to turn tragedy into expression. For fans of his father and mother, this next chapter is both a testament to their influence and a fresh voice emerging from profound loss.