Celebrated R&B and soul singer D'Angelo has died at the age of 51 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, US media reported on Tuesday.

"The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life," his family said in a statement to Variety magazine, noting his "prolonged and courageous battle with cancer."

D'Angelo's music revered by fans

Born as Michael Eugene Archer in Virginia, D'Angelo carved out a place for himself in the R&B and soul genre with his raspy, smooth voice and obvious talent.

He garnered enormous praise for his debut disc "Brown Sugar" released in 1995, as well as his album "Voodoo," released in 2000.

He then won the Grammys for best R&B album and best male R&B performance for his song, "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," that almost overshadowed his album. He filmed the video shirtless, throwing his fans into a tizzy.

D'Angelo was partnered to R&B singer Angie Stone in the 1990s, with whom he also produced many songs. They had a son together, the artist Swayvo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr.

Stone, who died in a car crash earlier this year, described him as her "musical soul mate" to the Associated Press in 1999, calling their working relationship "like milk and cereal."

D'Angelo also has a daughter, Imani Archer.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar