R&B icon D’Angelo dies at 51, leaving behind a lasting legacy

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The music community mourned the loss of R&B singer D’Angelo, who passed away Tuesday at 51 years old. His family announced that he had been privately fighting cancer.

It’s truly sad to lose such a talented artist as D’Angelo at just 51, and many devoted fans are understandably heartbroken. However, his music will live on and continue to be enjoyed for years to come, ensuring he’s never forgotten.

The praise and admiration for D’Angelo are well-earned. Although he hasn’t released a lot of music, particularly lately, his impact on R&B was huge. His career path was also unlike most artists, and it’s a good time to remember what made it so special.

The career path of D’Angelo was one of a kind

D’Angelo released his first album, *Brown Sugar*, in mid-1995. Before that, he’d gained experience and created a buzz in the music industry by being part of various groups and writing songs for other artists. With *Brown Sugar*, D’Angelo finally established himself as a solo star.

Though it started slowly, D’Angelo’s *Brown Sugar* eventually became a hit, thanks to popular songs like the title track and “Lady.” His smooth, soulful voice – especially his impressive falsetto – remains captivating even now. It was a sensation in the mid-90s, staying on the Billboard 200 chart for an impressive 65 weeks.

Many consider D’Angelo’s *Brown Sugar* a key album in bringing neo-soul to a wider audience. This genre had been developing throughout the 1990s, blending soul music with influences from funk, rock, and hip-hop. Because of this, *Brown Sugar* was both incredibly popular and highly influential.

So, after my first album blew up and I spent a ton of time on tour, I totally hit a wall trying to write the next one. It felt like forever, and it pretty much was – it took almost five years! Finally, in 2000, I dropped *Voodoo*, and honestly, all that waiting was completely worth it.

Unlike *Brown Sugar*, *Voodoo* wasn’t a simple repeat of past work. *Voodoo* was a more complex and experimental album, sonically, moving away from the straightforward, radio-friendly sound of its earlier release.

The album continued the soulful, energetic vibe of Brown Sugar, featuring collaborations with artists like DJ Premier, Redman, and Method Man. While still rooted in neo-soul, D’Angelo pushed the boundaries of the genre with *Voodoo*, creating a richer, more expansive sound.

The standout track from D’Angelo’s *Voodoo* album was “How Does It Feel.” The accompanying music video, famous for being filmed in one continuous shot of a nude D’Angelo, was both shocking and incredibly compelling. The song is a fantastic, slow-building track that lasts over seven minutes and features a powerful, memorable chorus.

Man, *Voodoo* felt like D’Angelo totally hitting his stride – he was at the top of his game. But honestly, it kind of backfired. That album set the bar *so* high, it created this huge gap between it and his next release. It took forever to follow up because everyone expected something just as amazing, and maybe that pressure got to him.

The buzz around D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel” video made him uneasy, and combined with difficulties in his personal life, led him to withdraw from public life for fourteen years, releasing very little new music during that time.

The years after J Dilla’s *Voodoo* are often seen as a missed opportunity in music, leaving many to wonder what could have been. However, it’s also possible that things unfolded exactly as they were meant to. Regardless, the long wait didn’t stop fans from enthusiastically celebrating the release of *Black Messiah* in 2014.

D’Angelo’s album, *Black Messiah*, was a particularly notable release in his impressive body of work. Released during a time of intense social unrest following events in Ferguson and the case of Eric Garner, the album was, in part, shaped by these issues.

Building on the complex sound of his album *Voodoo*, D’Angelo’s new work features more instruments played live. While some songs touch on familiar themes, others delve into important social topics. The result is a compelling and meaningful album from the artist.

After releasing *Black Messiah*, D’Angelo largely retreated from public life, releasing only a few singles and making occasional appearances. In hindsight, this makes sense.

It’s incredibly sad to hear about D’Angelo’s passing. Hopefully, this will inspire people who haven’t heard his music to discover his talent and understand why so many already consider him a musical genius.

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2025-10-15 16:00