there’s nothing i’m going to say about d’angelo’s legacy or music that hasn’t been said already. i did, however, want to echo everyone else by saying that this man’s artistry had a profound influence and impact on me over the years. i don’t think there’s been an artist that has been able to capture grooves and soul quite like him since. for a lot of us music fans, his music and albums, whether brown sugar (1995), voodoo (2000) or black messiah (2014), represent church. the heavenly, rich and dense grooves that literally define his sound have given me so much life in times of darkness, as well as inspiration to live, be and feel joy. and while his latter two albums came out way before i discovered his discography, black messiah was a defining album of my early adulthood. it was a “do you remember where you were when you first heard it” type project, and listening to it now, i always find myself transported to that time at university in 2014, sitting down in the lounge area of the main building, about to power through some dissertation research, and failing to focus because this album was so good. “ain’t that easy” was a powerful and groovy opener that is equally as fiery and groovy as it is gentle and soulful. from that point in, the album just floored me completely. “sugah daddy” might be the funkiest song ever made. like, all the guitar leads, the bassline, the drumming, the playful piano melody – everything, along with d’angelo’s exuberant vocals make this one of the most infectious songs i’ve ever heard and that’s no exaggeration at all. i mean, he’s made some of the best music of all time, after all. i forgot how good the funk of “back to the future (part i)” is, and i still maintain the belief that “another life” is not only one of the best closers to an album i’ve heard, but one of the best produced songs i’ve ever listened to. the composition of that track is simply flawless. from the euphoric piano melody to the seamless marriage of instrumental bits that submerge together with his voice being the unifying force. the whole song obviously, but the last last three minutes of the track especially are flawless, stunning, and genuinely goosebump inducing.

the amazing thing about d’angelo’s music is also the subtleties in some of the grooves. on black messiah especially, which feels a lot more like a band album (it’s credited as d’angelo & the vanguard after all), there are always new moments, new instrumental bits and grooves that i notice, and hyperfixate on. same thing with voodoo. “chicken grease” and “medley: greatdayndamornin’ / booty” are some of the funkiest and sexiest tracks, off that album, with the latter track having some incredible guitar melodies and basslines that make it such an infectious and perfect record to me. i’ve literally had songs on repeat for hours since his passing. and it reminded me how soothing, healing and impactful his music really is. and on top of that, the sensuality and gentleness you can feel from his lyrics and general energy towards women and people in general is so beautiful too. rip to a real legend of music, and someone who will continue to live through our headphones and speakers in years and years to come. timeless music, thank you d’angelo.

a few of my favourites: