D’Wayne Wiggins died at 64 – American singer
Biography and cause of death of Wayne Wiggins
D’Wayne Wiggins The American musician, singer, and record producer D’Wayne Patrice Wiggins was born on February 14, 1961, and passed away on March 7, 2025. He is most remembered as a member of the soul/R&B group Tony!, which was popular in the 1990s. Hi there! Howdy!
D’Wayne Wiggins Earlier years
Wiggins came into this world in Oakland, California, most especially in the West Oakland area known as the Lower Bottoms. He went to Castlemont High School while growing up in East Oakland.
Beginning of my career and Tony! Toni! Toné!
Among Tony! Toni! Toné!’s original members was Wiggins. A total of fourteen of the group’s R&B songs have peaked at number one on the Billboard charts. They also have three pop singles that reached the top ten, as well as one gold album, two platinum albums, and a double platinum album. Throughout their time together, they managed to sell more than six million CDs. On the 2006 New Jack Reunion Tour, Tony! Toni! Toné! was a member of the lineup. Since 1998, the band has been performing on tours all around the world.
D’Wayne Wiggins Music
Based out of his “House of Music” studio in West Oakland, Wiggins founded Grass Roots Entertainment. Grass Roots Entertainment was signed to Destiny’s Child by D’Wayne Wiggins in 1995. They eventually became the most successful girl group of all time and a dominant force in the female entertainment industry. Over the course of three albums, he was an integral part of the band, and their combined sales exceeded fifteen million copies. One of his collaborators was Keyshia Cole, a musician who lived at the “House of Music” between 1999 and 2001. At that time, Cole was under Wiggins’ tutelage and received advice before signing with A&M Records. In addition to collaborating with Jody Watley, he worked with Arrested Development’s Laurneá on her latest album, Laurnea II. Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Money, and producer Scott Storch were among the stars that frequented his House of Music.
Eyes Never Lie, Wiggins’ 2000 Motown Records solo debut, included guest appearances by Jamie Foxx, Carlos Santana, and Hootie and the Blowfish’ Darius Rucker. As a whole, this record helped lay the groundwork for neo-soul.
On Too Short’s How Does It Feel and Hoochie, Messy Marv’s Blades, and The Coup’s 2006 album Pick A Bigger Weapon, Wiggins collaborated with the pioneers of Oakland’s “Hyphy” movement. The Splash Waterfalls Remix by Ludacris features his guitar work and vocals. On the soundtrack of the film Menace II Society, he sang a cover of “Top of the World” with his band Kenya Gruv.
Alicia Keys, a platinum-selling performer, was one of Wiggins’ collaborators in 2003. Diary, the first single, reached the Top Ten on the Billboard charts in 2005, while the album itself went platinum and won four Grammy Awards. D’Wayne Wiggins won a Grammy for production on the album’s other tune, “If I Was Your Woman,” which he co-produced and played on sitar.
D’Wayne Wiggins Entertainment industry
Wiggins served as executive producer for the 2001 indie film Me & Mrs. Jones in addition to the documentary Life Is, which chronicles the life of Too Short, a multi-platinum music artist. In 2003, he was included in the film Get Money.
In 2005, Wiggins had an appearance on Comedy Central’s Weekends at the D.L., where he served as bandleader. The program was hosted by comedian D. L. Hughley.
D’Wayne Wiggins Dying, old age, and health problems
Wiggins kept on touring with Tony! as their bandleader right up until he passed away. Hey there! Toni! Toné! Joining Raphael Saadiq and Timothy Christian Riley on the Just Me and You Tour in 2023 was Wiggins’ return to the group.
As Tony! Toni! Toné! said on Instagram on March 5, 2025, Wiggins was “working through it one day at a time” while dealing with medical issues. At the age of 64, he passed away at his Oakland home two days later, on March 7, due to bladder cancer.
R.I.P. D’Wayne Wiggins and thank you for the music.