D’Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné! Star and Mentor to Destiny’s Child, Dies

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D’Wayne Wiggins, the founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, whose smooth guitar work and songwriting helped define 1990s R&B, has died at 64 after a private battle with bladder cancer

His family confirmed his passing on Friday in a statement shared on Instagram.

“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” the statement read. “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.”

Wiggins, a native of Oakland, California, was a guitarist, producer, and mentor whose influence extended far beyond the stage. Best known for leading Tony! Toni! Toné! alongside Raphael Saadiq and Timothy Christian Riley, he helped create a string of timeless R&B hits, including “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” and “Anniversary.”

The Grammy-nominated trio dominated the late 1980s and early ’90s R&B scene, selling over six million albums and earning multiple gold and platinum records. Their sound blended old-school soul with new jack swing, paving the way for future R&B acts.

 

A Legacy in Music and Mentorship

Beyond his work with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Wiggins was instrumental in shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in music. He founded Grass Roots Entertainment, a West Oakland recording studio where he helped develop Destiny’s Child in their early years. The group, led by Beyoncé, went on to become the best-selling girl group of all time.

 

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Wiggins also mentored Keyshia Cole, providing her with early guidance before she signed with A&M Records. His influence reached artists like Alicia Keys, India Arie, Ludacris, Jody Watley and Too Short, making him a pivotal figure in R&B and hip-hop’s evolution.

His 2000 solo album, "Eyes Never Lie," was released on Motown Records and showcased collaborations with Darius Rucker, Jamie Foxx and Carlos Santana. The album helped shape the neo-soul movement, which bridged traditional R&B with modern influences.

 

A Respected Figure in Entertainment

Wiggins' impact extended beyond music. He served as a bandleader for Comedy Central’s "Weekends at the D.L.", produced the indie film Me & Mrs. Jones, and worked on the Too Short documentary Life Is.

In 2023, Wiggins reunited with Raphael Saadiq and Timothy Christian Riley for Tony! Toni! Toné!’s Just Me and You Tour, their first tour together in more than 25 years. The reunion was highly anticipated by fans, cementing their legacy as one of R&B’s most beloved groups.

 

Tributes Pour In for Wiggins

Following the news of his passing, fellow artists and musicians paid tribute to Wiggins, recognizing his contributions to music and mentorship.

Sheila E., an Oakland native, shared her sorrow in a heartfelt post.

"Heartbreaking news, my brother D’Wayne Wiggins passed away this morning. He was the most amazing, kind person. He loved life, music, and people. My brother, you will forever be missed. Your music will live forever. Rest in peace, my brother."

Tony! Toni! Toné! was scheduled to perform at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy, California, on March 22, but the event was canceled in February due to Wiggins’ illness. Another show at Detroit’s Music Hall Center on May 23 was also called off.

For now, his family has asked for privacy as they grieve, but fans and fellow artists continue to celebrate D’Wayne Wiggins’ enduring musical legacy.

Charlie Wilson, Muni Long, and Cedric the Entertainer Lead All-Star Lineup for Soul Beach Music Festival

Charlie Wilson

Charlie Wilson, Muni Long, and Cedric the Entertainer Headline Soul Beach Music Festival’s Triumphant Return to St. Maarten

The Soul Beach Music Festival is set to return to St. Maarten this Memorial Day weekend, bringing an all-star lineup featuring Charlie Wilson, Muni Long, and Cedric the Entertainer. The festival, which first launched on the island 29 years ago, is expected to draw thousands of fans for a weekend of music, comedy, and celebration from May 21-26, 2025.

This year’s headliners bring together a mix of R&B legends, contemporary hitmakers, and comedy greats. Charlie Wilson, whose career spans decades as a solo artist and as the lead singer of The GAP Band, has built a catalog of timeless classics including "You Dropped the Bomb on Me," "Outstanding," and "Burn Rubber on Me." His solo career has been just as impactful, with 13 No. 1 Billboard R&B singles and 13 Grammy nominations, solidifying his status as one of the genre’s most enduring figures.

Muni Long, one of R&B’s brightest stars, continues to build on her Grammy-winning success. Best known for "Hrs & Hrs," which earned her Best R&B Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, she has followed up with hits like "Made For Me" and "Slow Grind," cementing her position as one of the genre’s most exciting new voices.

Comedy will also take center stage with Cedric the Entertainer, whose career in stand-up, television, and film spans decades. From his roles in "Barbershop" and "The Original Kings of Comedy" to his starring role in the hit CBS sitcom "The Neighborhood," Cedric remains one of the most in-demand comedians today. Festival organizers say his performance will set the tone for a weekend filled with energy and excitement.

Doug E. Fresh and comedian Chris Spencer will serve as hosts, while DJ Envy, co-host of iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated "The Breakfast Club," will provide the soundtrack for some of the festival’s biggest events.

The festival’s return to St. Maarten is seen as a significant moment for both music fans and the island itself. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the island’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication, emphasized the event’s broader impact, calling it an important moment for the local economy and tourism industry.

"The return of the Soul Beach Music Festival is a major milestone, bringing together visitors and residents for a safe, vibrant celebration of culture and entertainment," Heyliger-Marten said.

Festival producer Mark Adkins echoed those sentiments, highlighting the festival’s history and its ability to bridge generations.

"Charlie Wilson embodies multi-generational greatness, while Muni Long represents the bright future ahead," Adkins said. "Blending the seasoned with the new creates an enduring and everlasting experience. This year is both a nostalgic tribute to our past and an inspiring glimpse into the future."

With five days of performances, parties, and cultural events, Soul Beach Music Festival continues to be one of the most anticipated experiences for R&B, hip-hop, and comedy fans. Organizers say this year’s festival will blend past traditions with new surprises, offering attendees a chance to witness some of the biggest names in entertainment in an unforgettable setting.

For more information, tickets, and travel details, visit SoulBeach.com.

Jay-Z Sues Attorney Tony Buzbee and Jane Doe Over ‘False’ Rape Allegations

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has filed a lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, alleging that the claims were knowingly false and part of an extortion scheme. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, the lawsuit contends that Jane Doe and her legal team conspired to extract a financial settlement while publicly defaming him.

Jane Doe initially filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs in October 2023, accusing him of drugging and raping her when she was 13 years old at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The original lawsuit alluded to an unnamed "male celebrity" as a co-assailant. In December, she amended the complaint to name Jay-Z.

Carter’s lawsuit claims that before Jane Doe identified him publicly, Buzbee sent a "blatantly extortionate" demand letter seeking a financial settlement in exchange for keeping his name out of the case. "This was an evil conspiracy to leverage knowingly false accusations to force a multimillion-dollar settlement," the suit alleges.

Jay-Z further contends that Jane Doe later admitted to his legal team that the allegations were untrue but that Buzbee continued pushing the case regardless. "Jane Doe knew these allegations were false, and she told Buzbee they were false. But he pushed her to go forward with the false narrative," the lawsuit states. It also argues that the accusations resulted in reputational damage and lost business opportunities, with Carter estimating that Roc Nation lost at least $20 million in annual revenue due to the case.

Buzbee has dismissed Carter’s lawsuit as baseless. "Shawn Carter’s investigators have repeatedly harassed, threatened, and harangued this poor woman for weeks, trying to intimidate her and make her recant her story. She hasn’t, and won’t. Instead, she has stated repeatedly that she stands by her claims," Buzbee said in a statement.

He further accused Jay-Z’s team of attempting to silence Jane Doe. "These same group of investigators have been caught on tape offering to pay people to sue me and my firm," he added. "This is just another attempt to intimidate and bully this poor woman that we will deal with in due course. We won’t be bullied or intimidated by frivolous cases."

Jane Doe has also responded, standing by her allegations. "I was approached by people claiming to be investigators for Jay-Z, and they tried to pressure me into signing documents recanting my claims. I refused," she said. She denied admitting to fabricating her allegations and maintained that she will fight the case.

Carter’s legal team has requested that Jane Doe remain anonymous in court filings, citing her history of mental illness and self-harm. His lawsuit seeks damages for defamation, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and civil conspiracy, arguing that the false allegations have caused severe damage to his career and personal life.