Beyonce has led tributes to D'Angelo following his death aged 51

She shared a black and white picture of D'Angelo and wrote on her official website: "Rest in peace, Michael Eugene Archer, known to the world of music as the inimitable D'Angelo.

"We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry. You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever. We will never forget you."

Beyonce's Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland also paid tribute to D'Angelo, admitting she was left "speechless" upon hearing of his passing.

She wrote on X: "This one hurts, DEEP! The way this man, poured himself in the music! The stories I've heard of his brilliant process...im just speechless...

He TRULY IS 1 of 1. Simply gutted by this loss!

May God Bless D'Angelo's family and loved Ones.

We lost a GIANT. (sic)"

Several stars also shared lengthy Instagram tributes to the late music icon, including actor and singer Jamie Foxx and rapper and singer Tyler, The Creator.

Foxx admitted he was "blown away" when he first heard D'Angelo's music, and he was in tears upon finding out about the star's death.

He wrote on Instagram: "I remember hearing your music for the first time... I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed... Then when I finally got a chance to see you... Like everyone when they saw the most incredible music video of our time... I was blown away... I thought to myself I have to see this person in concert... I had my chance to see you at the house of blues... You came out and got right down to business... Your voice was silky and flawless... I was graciously envious of your style and your swag... I was also in pure awe of your talents.... roaming around on each instrument, displaying your expertise in every note and every song as I watch you command, the crowd, mostly women ...me and all the guys that were with me understood the mission...It was time to let our girls enjoy this moment and not bother them... You took them on a musical journey of soul, funk, an overall artistic romance... The incredible dismount of your incredible song. How do you feel still goes down and performance history... God put you here for a reason and we were all lucky enough to see what God had made... That's why today real tears run down my face ... to hear the news that God has taken one of his special creations home... I know God doesn't make mistakes... But this one hurts like hell... rest up my friend... you will be missed forever... But your music and your impression will be felt for generations to come.... REST IN POWER AND BEAUTIFUL MUSIC..... You are one of one.... (sic)"

Tyler added: "on my 9th birthday, march 6 2000, i landed at Sam Goody at the south bay galleria. i had $20 in birthday money and my eyes set on leaving with one thing.

VOODOO by D'Angelo.

citas world had 'left+right' on loop; brown sugar became a staple at home and nothing even matters by ms.hill was on repeat, so i had no doubt that voodoo would deliver. i had no idea that would help shape my musical dna. the amount of raps ive wrote to BOOTY on the front porch that year, the amount of times ive tried to mimic vocal phrasing from SEND IT ON, the scratches the disc ended up with from repeating THE ROOT......too many. ONE MO'GIN still puts me in the same trance as it did when i first heard it. that dragging sway of tempo that sounds like a porch sitting rocking chair. that grumpy but loose bassline. the subject of it, that feeling hes describing felt like a mirror. I took that and wrote RING RING RING (hence the one mo gin line). i couldnt understand how someone could write something so simple but personal but broad but genius. thats how special he was. a savant. a true alien.

"i am so lucky to have gotten my copy of VOODOO when i did. we are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art. my musical dna was helped shaped by this man. forever grateful. safe travels (sic)"

D'Angelo's family confirmed his passing in a statement, admitting they were "saddened" by his death, but "eternally grateful" for his "legacy of extraordinarily moving music".