Tribute to d’angelo

Written by Malik Perkins
October 29th, 2025

Source: Thierry Lefouess

D’Angelo was one of those rare artists who changed the whole direction of music just by being himself. He didn’t sound like anybody else, and nobody else ever really sounded like him. When he came on the scene with Brown Sugar, it wasn’t just a debut—it was a statement. It was smooth, it was soulful, and it reminded people that Black music has always been the foundation. He carried that weight like it was second nature.

Voodoo took it even further. That album still feels like a blueprint. The way he built songs with Questlove, Pino Palladino, Roy Hargrove, and the Soulquarians—it was all about feel. Those grooves lived in your chest, not just your ears. It was the kind of music that made you stop and listen, even when you didn’t plan to. There was no rushing it, no chasing radio hits—it was about creating something timeless, and he did it.

And then, of course, there’s Untitled (How Does It Feel). That video is the one everybody remembers. Our moms and aunties were screaming, and we sat there embarrassed, but we knew. We knew we were watching a moment that would never be forgotten. The song itself, the way he sang it—there was no denying that kind of talent. It was raw, it was vulnerable, and it was D’Angelo at his purest.

Years went by where he wasn’t in the spotlight, but when he came back with Black Messiah, it felt like the world had been waiting for it. That record wasn’t just music—it was a reflection of the times, a reminder of why art matters. It spoke to pain, protest, and hope all at once, and it showed that his voice wasn’t just beautiful—it was powerful.

What D’Angelo did for music can’t be overstated. He made soul music matter again in a time when people thought it had passed. He made artists slow down, take their craft seriously, and put honesty before everything else. He gave us classics that will live forever, and he did it while staying true to himself. He never compromised, and that’s why we’ll always see him as one of the greats.

The loss is heavy. But the music is still here, and it always will be. D’Angelo gave us more than songs—he gave us moments, memories, and a sound that can’t be replaced. He was one of one, and we’ll never forget what he meant to us.