D’Wayne Wiggins, the singer and guitarist for the renowned R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has passed away. He was 64. Wiggins died following a battle with cancer, his family made an announcement March 7 on the group’s verified Instagram account.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones. 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.”
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“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.”
“For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support. In Solidarity,The Wiggins Family”
D’Wayne Wiggins was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as a founding member of the influential R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! Born on February 14, 1961, in Oakland, California, Wiggins played a key role in shaping the group’s signature sound, which blended classic soul, funk, and contemporary R&B.
Alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq (formerly Charles Ray Wiggins) and cousin Timothy Christian Riley, Wiggins helped form Tony! Toni! Toné! in the mid-1980s. The trio achieved massive success with hits like Feels Good, If I Had No Loot, Anniversary, and It Never Rains (In Southern California). Their 1988 debut album Who? marked the beginning of their rise, but it was The Revival (1990) and Sons of Soul (1993) that cemented their legacy in R&B history.
Beyond the group, Wiggins was a respected producer and mentor, helping to launch the careers of artists like Destiny’s Child, Keyshia Cole, and Alicia Keys. He founded Grass Roots Entertainment, a production company focused on developing new talent. His work behind the scenes contributed to the evolution of neo-soul and modern R&B.
Despite the group’s breakup in the late 1990s, Wiggins continued performing and producing, and Tony! Toni! Toné! reunited for various tours and projects over the years.
