You don’t listen to D’Angelo’s music. You experience it. The agile nature of D’Angelo’s voice, paired with his clever writing, creates a sense of warmth and, for lack of a better phrase, soul, that is akin to a hug with a loved one or a comforting memory that wraps around you, bringing both nostalgia and joy. His music invites you into a space of intimacy and connection, allowing each note to resonate deeply within your ears and heart.
He is no longer living and breathing amongst us, but his music certainly is. In honor of the 51-year-old’s everlasting legacy of music and innovation, Def Pen presents ESSENTIALS: D’Angelo, a brief exploration into the art and expression of Richmond, Virginia native who brightened the lives of millions with his talent.
“Brown Sugar”
Writing and recording “Brown Sugar” is a feat in itself, but that’s not solely what D’Angelo did. “Brown Sugar” is the first song on D’Angelo’s very first studio album. Sure, it never rose into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 or won a GRAMMY Award, but it has stood the test of time 30 years later and cemented itself among the pantheon of great R&B songs. More importantly, it is the catalyst for what D’Angelo would become as a fixture within the genre of R&B and beyond, leaving a lasting impact on the likes of current stars like D’Angelo and Elmiene.
“Nothing Even Matters”
Crowned the best album of all time by Apple Music just last year, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has spawned countless hit records, ranging from “Doo Wop” to “Ex Factor.” However, today, “Nothing Even Matters,” takes center stage. As written in Chris Nickson’s Lauryn Hill: She’s Got That Thing, the classic duet was the product of Hill’s admiration for D’Angelo’s artistic process, saying that they shared a “similar philosophy.” Therefore, when Hill shared a rough demo with D’Angelo, it was easy for him to get in the booth and record his vocals within an hour. The end result was a song that depicts “what it’s like when your back starts to tingle and your stomach feels funny,” as Nickson wrote.
“Til It’s Done”
Before there was Frank Ocean and Rihanna, there were the likes of Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo, beloved artists who many often wondered if they would release another album. Nearly 15 years after the release of Voodoo, D’Angelo released his third studio album, Black Messiah. While the music landscape had changed greatly in his absence, his ability to create timeless music had remained the same. With the help of Questlove, bassist Pino Palladino, guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, and horn player Roy Hargrove, D’Angelo crafted one of his best songs to date — “Til It’s Done.” Funk oozes out of the guitars as the precussion serves as the musical anchor for D’Angelo’s writing as he slams home his order for listeners to open their eyes to the injustices surrounding them.
D’Angelo may no longer be able to take the stage or sit down for an interview, but he left us so many gifts in the form of songs and albums. Unwrap a few as we honor the life, legacy, and career of one of music’s most everlasting voices of the last 30 years.
