D'Wayne Wiggins, Tony! Toni! Toné! Founding member dies at 64

D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the famed Bay Area R&B group vocalist and guitarist Tony! Toni! Toné!, died on Friday, his family confirmed on social media. He was 64.

“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” their 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 was a co-founder of the band, which also featured his half-brother Raphael Saadiq on bass and vocals and cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums and keyboards. Tony! Toni! Toné! established in their hometown of Oakland, California, in 1986. The next year, they released "One Night Stand," their debut song.

Their album "Who?" and the smash song "Little Walter" were released in 1988.

They rose to prominence in the '80s and '90s New Jack Swing music trend. Their singles "Feels Good," "Whatever You Want," "Anniversary," "It Never Rains (in Southern California)" and "Just Me and You" are now considered classics.

Oakland's Tony!  Toni! Toné! first became famous in the late 1980s. The group's biggest commercial triumph came in 1993, when their album "Sons of Soul" was certified double platinum.

In 1996, Tony! Toni! Toné! parted ways to pursue independent careers. Wiggins, who is also credited for fostering Destiny's Child's early careers through his Grass Roots Entertainment label, released his debut solo album in 2000, which included collaborations with Carlos Santana and Darius Rucker.

In 2003, he received a Grammy nomination for his contribution on Alicia Keys' hit "Diary."

Wiggins kept traveling alongside Tony!  Toni, Toné!  Saadiq, 58, eventually rejoined the group for a reunion tour in 2023.