D’Wayne Wiggins, who helped found the Grammy-nominated R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné!, died Friday (March 7) morning following a year-long battle with bladder cancer. He was 64 years old.
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Wiggins’ family announced his death in a statement on social media. “D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the statement read.
Two days earlier, the R&B group shared that their founding member was “experiencing medical complications,” but “working through it one day at a time.”
The official Instagram account for the city of Oakland paid tribute to the community pillar in a comment. “Dwayne Wiggins was more than an artist—he was a visionary, a mentor, and a champion for his community,” it read. “His influence stretched across the globe, yet he remained deeply rooted in the city that shaped him. Through his music, leadership, and unwavering dedication, he uplifted generations and left an indelible mark on our hearts.”
D’Wayne Wiggins Founded Tony! Toni! Toné! in the Late ’80s
Along with brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley, D’Wayne Wiggins formed Tony! Toni! Toné! in 1980s Oakland, California. The trio initially adopted the moniker as a joke before realizing it “had a nice ring to it.”
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With Wiggins serving as both vocalist and bass guitarist, Tony! Toni! Toné! arrived on scene with their 1988 debut album Who? However, their third album Sons of Soul brought the band their greatest success, spending 43 weeks on the Billboard 200 and earning a double platinum certification from the RIAA.
Unfortunately, the group disbanded following the release of their 1996 album House Of Music, briefly reuniting in 2003 on the Alicia Keys track “Diary.”
He Was a Mentor
Apart from his work with Tony! Toni! Toné!, D’Wayne Wiggins also established Grass Roots Entertainment, where he developed and signed Destiny’s Child. He worked with the group on three albums, collectively selling more than 15 million copies.
TV One sat down with the men of @TonyToniTone1 last year and D'Wayne Wiggins shared what it meant to represent the culture as a Black musical giant. Although D'Wayne has lost his courageous battle with bladder cancer, his artistry lives on ✨ Rest in Power, D'Wayne. pic.twitter.com/ABrqoYwV7X
— TV One (@tvonetv) March 7, 2025
“He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many,” his family said in a statement.
During a 2024 interview with TV One, Wiggins spoke about what it meant to represent his culture as a Black artist.
“So many styles have come out… that came through the lens of the blues and whatever else, and we lose it. We walk away from it,” he said. “I was like, ‘I’m not walking away from this.’ If you want to call it neo-soul… whatever, we going to represent what it really means.”
Featured image by MICHAEL MACOR/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
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