From the sweetness of Brown Sugar to the vibes of Voodoo, to the revolution of Black Messiah, D’Angelo leaves a rich cultural legacy. Here are three ways how.
#1: He Staged A Miraculous Comeback: In 1990, a teenage D’Angelo was viciously booed at “Showtime at the Apollo” for being “too country.” But after performing Peabo Bryson’s “Feel the Fire,” the crowd roared in approval. He won first place on Amateur Night a year later, singing Johnny Gill’s “Rub You the Right Way.” He was on his way to the top.
#2: He Wrote This Black Man Anthem: D’Angelo didn’t just write for the ladies, he also wrote for the brothas. In 1994, he co-wrote “U Will Know” with his brother. Advocating for peace, empowerment, and unity, the song was performed by Black Men United, which included Lenny Kravitz, Keith Sweat, and Brian McKnight.
#3: He Helped Teach Questlove A New Style Of Drumming: While working on the 2000 album, Voodoo, D’Angelo introduced “drunk” drumming to Questlove. It involved dragging just enough to make the rhythm sway. Questlove struggled at first, but the result was a masterpiece.
D’Angelo once said, "I never claimed I do neo-soul. I do Black music.” So despite the labels, Blackness is always the core of who we are and what we do. We must protect that, just as he did.