Oakland music legend D’Wayne Wiggins — who reached platinum-plus heights as a founding member of the immensely popular Bay Area R&B act Tony! Toni! Toné! — died March 7 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was 64.
The news was shared via the Tony! Toni! Toné! social media channels on March 7.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” reads a Facebook post credited to “the Wiggins Family.” “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.”
The esteemed vocalist-guitarist skyrocketed to stardom — alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq (born Charles Wiggins) on vocals and bass and cousin Timothy Riley on drums, keyboards and backing vocals — in the late ’80s as one of the founding members of the trio Tony! Toni! Toné!
After being signed by Wing Records (a subsidiary of the Mercury Records label), Wiggins’ group found massive success basically right out of the gate as its very first single — “Little Walter” — topped the R&B charts. And the group quickly showed that that first taste of success was no fluke, as it’s next three singles — “Born Not to Know,” “Baby Doll” and “For the Love of You” — all placed in the Top 10.
In all, the group would release four albums during its career — 1988’s “Who?,” 1990’s “The Revival,” 1993’s “Sons of Soul” and 1996’s “House of Music” — all of which were hits and achieved gold/platinum sales figures.
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 14: Jayden Davis, left, and Hassan Flemming, both 14, pay attention to artist D’wayne Wiggins as he teaches them how to create digital music using the Sphero program during the 7th Annual Brothers Code Tech Slam at Merritt College in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Beyond the Tony! Toni! Toné! work, Wiggins also made a mark along a number of other musical avenues.
Most notably, he played a hand in helping develop a young aspiring R&B/pop troupe by the name of Destiny’s Child — featuring, of course, soon-to-be-megastar Beyonce — and produced a number of tracks on the group’s eponymous debut from 1998. Wiggins continued to work with Destiny’s Child on its next two outings– 199’s “The Writing’s on the Wall” and 2001’s “Survivor” — which also happen to be the best two albums of the band’s career.
Other artists that he worked with include Keyshia Cole, Too $hort, Alicia Keys and Carlos Santana. He also somehow found the time to record music as a solo artist.
“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” the Facebook post from the Wiggins Family continues. “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.”
No mention was made on the social media post as to possible plans for a memorial service or other type of celebration of Wiggins’ life. But perhaps some type of announcement, in that regard, will come in the days ahead.
“For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy,” the Facebook post reads. “We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support.”
The post ends with a tagline of hope for Wiggins to “rest in power” and for others mourning the loss to “party don’t cry.”
