D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the legendary R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has passed away at the age of 64, his family announced Friday.
Wiggins, who had been privately battling bladder cancer, died surrounded by family and loved ones. In a statement, his family reflected on his incomparable life and enduring influence.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning. 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 statement read.
The Oakland native was more than just a musician—he was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, and mentor who dedicated his life to artist development and nurturing young talent. His impact helped shape the early careers of many musicians, and his contributions to soul, funk, and R&B remain undeniable.
As a co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Wiggins played an integral role in the Bay Area trio’s success, alongside his half-brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian Riley. The group, formed in 1986, became one of the defining acts of the late ‘80s and ‘90s R&B scene, blending funk, soul, and New Jack Swing into a sound that produced numerous hits.
The group’s debut album, Who? (1988), featured the No. 1 R&B hit “Little Walter.” Their 1990 album The Revival brought mainstream success with “Feels Good,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group’s highest-charting single, “If I Had No Loot,” from their 1993 album Sons of Soul, reached No. 7 on the Hot 100, and their final studio album, House of Music (1996), peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200.
In total, Tony! Toni! Toné! landed five No. 1 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts, along with seven additional Top 10 singles. Their music continues to be celebrated as a cornerstone of R&B and soul music.
The Grammy-nominated group was scheduled to perform at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy, California, on March 22, but the event was canceled due to illness. Another performance at Detroit’s Music Hall Center on May 23 has also been canceled, though it’s unclear if Wiggins’ health was the reason.
Wiggins’ legacy as a musical innovator, mentor, and pillar of the Oakland music scene will live on through his contributions to R&B, funk, and soul music.
