How did D'Wayne Wiggins die? Tony! Toni! Toné! guitarist's cause of death explored

On Friday, March 7, fans of the Oakland-based band Tony! Toni! Toné! were made aware of the tragic death of the band’s guitarist D'Wayne Wiggins. Wiggins was 64 years of age at the time of his death.

D'Wayne Wiggins’ family released a statement sharing the news of his death on the guitarist and the band’s Instagram page. The statement stated,

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

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D'Wayne Wiggins' health struggles

While the details of D'Wayne Wiggins’ health problems had not been shared publicly before this, it was revealed earlier that Wiggins had been going through health complications. In a post shared on the Tony! Toni! Toné!’s official Instagram page two days before D'Wayne Wiggins’ passing, the Wiggins family had shared the guitarist’s health struggles. The post, while thanking fans for their prayers, stated,

“We wanted to share that D’Wayne Wiggins is experiencing medical complications. He is working through it one day at a time.”

The family's statement had been in response to speculations and confusions that had arisen around the state of D'Wayne Wiggins’ health following a post shared on X by a user. The post read,

“Our brother D'Wayne Wiggins and brother of Raphael Saadiq from Tony Toni Tone is receiving hospice care. Have mercy.”

The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts at Tracy where Tony! Toni! Toné! were supposed to perform on March 22, had also shared on their official Instagram that the show had been cancelled. The post stated,

“We regret to inform you that the Tony! Toni! Tone! appearance on 3.22.25 Saturday is cancelled by the Artist due to illness.”

It was only after D'Wayne Wiggins’ demise that fans came to know that Wiggins had been suffering from serious health concerns and was diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was through the Wiggins family's statement announcing the death that fans were apprised of Wiggins’ health concerns, which had been ongoing for more than a year.

According to the National Cancer Institute,

“Bladder cancer occurs when cells in the bladder start to grow without control. The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine.”

Bladder cancer can usually be diagnosed at an early stage, however, it runs the risk of recurring even after successful treatment, according to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic lists factors like smoking, exposure to chemicals like arsenic, repeated urinary infections and family history of cancer as some of the factors, among others, which may increase the chances of getting bladder cancer.

Although Wiggins had been suffering from bladder cancer for over a year, he had been performing with his band Tony! Toni! Toné! quite actively. According to Ticketmaster, the band was supposed to perform on May 23 at Music Hall Centre, Detroit. The website announced, however, that the show had been cancelled.

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About Tony! Toni! Toné!

D'Wayne Wiggins had founded the R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné! along with his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley in the 1980s. The band went on to produce hit tracks like “Born Not To Know,” “Little Walter,” “It Never Rains" and "Feels Good.”

The band members left the group and parted ways shortly after the release and success of their fourth album, House of Music in 1996.

It was only in the year 2023, that the original members of the band got together and went on to have a successful tour.

Wiggins will be fondly remembered by his family, fellow artists and fans.