D’Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné! Founder, Dies at 64

D’Wayne Wiggins, Founding Member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Passes Away at 64

The music world is mourning the loss of D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!. Wiggins passed away at the age of 64 after battling bladder cancer for over a year.

A Legacy of Music and Mentorship

FILE – D’Wayne Wiggins, from left, Raphael Saadiq and Timothy Christian Riley of Tony! Toni! Tone! pose for a portrait on Sept. 27, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Gary Gerard Hamilton, File)

Wiggins was not only a talented musician but also a dedicated mentor who helped launch the careers of numerous stars, including Zendaya, H.E.R., Kehlani, and Destiny’s Child. His contributions to the music industry extend far beyond his own discography.

The Rise of Tony! Toni! Toné!
Wiggins, along with his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Christian Riley, founded Tony! Toni! Toné! in Oakland, California. The group’s unique sound, which blended soul, jazz, gospel, and New Jack Swing, captivated audiences and helped define the R&B genre in the 1990s.

Timeless Hits and a Lasting Impact
Tony! Toni! Toné!’s music remains timeless, with classic hits like “Anniversary,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” and “Feels Good” continuing to inspire new generations of music lovers. Wiggins’ legacy as a musician, mentor, and innovator will forever be etched in the history of R&B.

 

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