View source for D'Angelo

{{Short description|American musician (1974–2025)}}
{{Other uses|D'Angelo (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background        = person
| name              = D'Angelo
| image             = D'Angelo Pori Jazz 2012 (cropped).jpg
| caption           = D'Angelo performing in [[Pori, Finland]], in July 2012
| birth_name        = Michael Eugene Archer
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1974|2|11}}
| birth_place       = [[Richmond, Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2025|10|14|1974|2|11}}
| death_place       = New York City, U.S.
| partner            = [[Angie Stone]] (1994–1999)<!--Partner parameter is for unmarried, long-term life partners. Not a dating history.-->
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Neo soul]]
* [[funk]]<ref>[https://afrodelik.com/funky-friday-song-of-the-day-dangelo/ Funky Friday・・D'Angelo]　afrodelik.com　Retrieved 30 October 2025</ref>
* [[progressive soul]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
}}
| occupations       = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* singer
* songwriter
* record producer
}}
| instruments       = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* bass 
* guitar
* piano
* keyboards
* drums
}}
| works             = [[D'Angelo discography|Discography]]
| years_active      = 1991–2025
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[EMI Records|EMI]]
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
* [[J Records|J]]
* [[RCA Records|RCA]]
}}
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* [[Soulquarians]]
* [[The Soultronics|Soultronics]]
* The Vanguard
* I.D.U.
}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 3
}}
}}
'''Michael Eugene Archer''' (February 11, 1974 – October 14, 2025), better known by his stage name '''D'Angelo'''  ({{IPAc-en|d|i|ˈ|æ|n|dʒ|əl|oʊ}}), was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the [[neo soul|neo-soul]] movement,{{efn|name="blackmusic"|D'Angelo did not personally use the neo soul label, and instead used the term ''[[Black music]]'' to refer to his work.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newkirk II |first1=Vann R. |title=D'Angelo Conjured More Than Music |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025/10/dangelo-conjured-more-than-music-death/684557/ |access-date=3 November 2025 |work=The Atlantic |date=18 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="McIntosh, 2025">{{cite news |last1=McIntosh |first1=Steven |title=D'Angelo: The pioneer who charted a new course for soul music |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62e5e3j75vo |access-date=November 3, 2025 |work=[[BBC]] |date=October 15, 2025}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |last2=Horowitz |first2=Steven J. |date=2025-10-14 |title=D'Angelo, Neo-Soul Pioneer and 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' Singer, Dies at 51 |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/dangelo-dead-neo-soul-pioneer-untitled-voodoo-1236552500/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=2025-10-14 |title=D'Angelo, Grammy-winning neo-soul pioneer, dies aged 51 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/oct/14/dangelo-dead |access-date=2025-10-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] named him one of the greatest [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] artists, while ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine ranked him as one of the [[Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|200 Greatest Singers of All Time]]. In 2025, he was inducted into the [[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]].

He first gained attention after co-writing and co-producing the 1994 single "[[U Will Know]]" by the R&B [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Black Men United]]. His debut album, ''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' (1995), was certified [[Platinum certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) and received widespread acclaim from music critics, who have credited the album with ushering in the neo-soul movement. It featured the [[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo song)|title track]], the [[Smokey Robinson]] cover "[[Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson song)#D'Angelo version|Cruisin]]", and "[[Lady (D'Angelo song)|Lady]]", which peaked within the top ten on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].

D'Angelo then collaborated with artists such as [[Angie Stone]], [[Erykah Badu]], and [[Lauryn Hill]], with whom he performed on the 1998 song "[[Nothing Even Matters]]" from her album ''[[The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill]]''. His next album, ''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]'' (2000), debuted at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and received widespread critical acclaim. It was also certified platinum by RIAA. Its third single "[[Untitled (How Does It Feel)]]" was released alongside an impactful music video.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Reinstein |first1=Julia |last2=Craighead |first2=Olivia |date=2025-10-14 |title=D'Angelo Has Reportedly Died at 51 |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/dangelo-has-reportedly-died-at-51.html |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref> The song earned him the [[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]], while the album itself won [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album|Best R&B Album]]. ''Voodoo'' was listed as 28th on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name="28th"/>

Afterwards, D'Angelo became increasingly uncomfortable with his growing status as a [[sex symbol]]. He then had numerous personal struggles, including [[Major depressive disorder|depression]], [[drug addiction]] and [[alcoholism]], which resulted in limited musical output for several years. After over a decade spent mostly out of the public eye, he released his third and final album, ''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]'' (2014). The album debuted in the top five of the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 and topped the year-end [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll by ''[[The Village Voice]]''. It won [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album|Best R&B Album]] at the [[58th Grammy Awards]], while the single "[[Really Love (D'Angelo song)|Really Love]]" won [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]. He also contributed the song "[[Unshaken]]" to the 2018 video game ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''. During the production of a fourth album, he died in 2025 of [[pancreatic cancer]].

== Early life ==
Michael Eugene Archer<ref>{{cite web |date=September 27, 2005 |title=D'Angelo ready to record after SUV crash |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-09-26-dangelo_x.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825181757/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-09-26-dangelo_x.htm |archive-date=August 25, 2010 |access-date=September 7, 2010 |work=USA Today}}</ref> was born in the [[Southside (Richmond, Virginia)|Southside]] of [[Richmond, Virginia]], on February 11, 1974.<ref name="NYTObit"/> His father was a [[Pentecostal]] preacher and he grew up in an entirely Pentecostal family.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hampton |first=Dream |date=April 2000 |title=D'Angelo: Soul Man |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/dangelo-april-2000-cover-story-soul-man-687249/ |access-date=May 17, 2010 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |page=104}}</ref> Michael's musical talents were discovered very early as a child. He was 3 when he was spotted by his 10-year-old brother playing the house piano.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dangelo-is-holding-your-hand-181009/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726173902/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dangelo-is-holding-your-hand-181009/|url-status=live|archive-date=July 26, 2018|title=D'Angelo Is Holding Your Hand|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Touré|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref> After the formation of his native-[[Richmond, Virginia]] musical group Precise, they found success performing in the Amateur Night competition at [[Harlem, New York]]'s [[Apollo Theater]] in 1991. The 18-year-old dropped out of school and moved to New York City<ref name="cbb"/> as an attempt to develop his music career.<ref name="NME">{{Cite web |title=D'Angelo: Biography |url=https://www.nme.com/artists/dangelo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208224648/https://www.nme.com/artists/dangelo |archive-date=2009-02-08 |access-date=January 28, 2009 |website=NME |language=en}}</ref> The group previously enjoyed some notice in Richmond, evenly dividing their repertoire between [[Soul music|soul]] covers and originals while Archer accumulated compositions of his own and developed his songwriting skills.<ref name="cbb"/> The group's turnout on Amateur Night resulted in three consecutive wins and cash prizes,<ref name="Samuels">{{Cite web |last=Samuels |first=Allison |date=1995-09-24 |title=Pop Music: A One-Man Soul Revival |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pop-music-one-man-soul-revival-182870 |access-date=January 28, 2009 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> and upon returning home to Richmond, Archer was inspired to produce an album and began composing music.<ref name=":0" /> That was after a brief tenure as a member of the [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] group I.D.U. (Intelligent, Deadly but Unique).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Clifford |url=https://archive.org/details/currentbiography1957thom/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Current Biography Yearbook 2001 |publisher=[[H. W. Wilson Company]] |year=2001 |isbn=978-9990016994 |volume=62 |pages=36–39}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1991–1995: ''Brown Sugar'' ===
At the age of 17, D'Angelo met [[Afropunk Festival]] partner Jocelyn Cooper,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Naasel|first=Kenrya Rankin|date=2015-05-11|title=Jocelyn Cooper|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3043954/jocelyn-cooper|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Fast Company|language=en-US}}</ref> who signed him to Midnight Songs LLC,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Chris |date=2021-07-01 |title=The Origin Story of D'Angelo |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/the-origin-story-of-dangelo/606372 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701214721/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/dangelo-brown-sugar-making-neo-soul.html |archive-date=2021-07-01 |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=Okayplayer |language=en-US}}</ref> her joint venture publishing company administered by [[Universal Music Publishing Group]] after hearing a demo of the [[hip hop group]] I.D.U. (Intelligent, Deadly but Unique), which D'Angelo produced and rapped in.<ref>{{Cite web|title=D'Angelo|url=https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/dangelo|access-date=2022-02-17|website=www.redbullmusicacademy.com|language=en|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311001230/https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/dangelo/|url-status=live}}</ref> After signing, Cooper introduced D'Angelo to musicians [[Raphael Saadiq]], [[Ali Shaheed Muhammad]], and [[Angie Stone]] to collaborate as songwriters. Cooper then introduced D'Angelo to Fred Davis,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Goodman|first=Fred|date=2019-04-11|title=Meet Fred Davis, One of the Industry's Biggest Dealmakers (And, Yes, Clive's Son)|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fred-davis-the-raine-group-industry-dealmaker-interview-8506624/|access-date=2022-02-17|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217110731/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fred-davis-the-raine-group-industry-dealmaker-interview-8506624/|url-status=live}}</ref> Head of A&R and Gary Harris at [[EMI Music]]. After an impressive audition, D'Angelo was signed to a recording contract in 1993.<ref name="cbb">{{Cite book |last1=Henderson |first1=Ashyia |url=https://archive.org/details/contemporaryblac00hend |title=Contemporary Black Biography |last2=Oblender |first2=David |date=February 2001 |publisher=Cengage Gale |isbn=9780787646189 |pages=35–36}}</ref> Cooper also introduced D'Angelo to attorney [[Kedar Massenburg]] who helped negotiate his contract.<ref name="kedar">Gale Staff (1998), pp. 138–139.</ref> Massenburg later became D'Angelo's manager.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

In 1994, his first significant success came in the form of the hit single "U Will Know".<ref name="Huey">Huey, Steve. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p68127/biography|pure_url=yes}} D'Angelo: Biography]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved January 28, 2009.</ref> D'Angelo co-wrote and co-produced the song for the all-male [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] supergroup [[Black Men United]], which featured R&B singers such as [[Brian McKnight]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[R. Kelly]], [[Boyz II Men]], [[Raphael Saadiq]], and [[Gerald Levert]].<ref name="PRWeb">[http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/dangelo-signed-to-rca-music-group-j/rfid165188542 D'Angelo Signed to RCA Music Group (J Records)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013614/http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/dangelo-signed-to-rca-music-group-j/rfid165188542|date=October 11, 2018}}. [[PRWeb]]. Retrieved December 8, 2008.</ref> D'Angelo composed the music for "U Will Know", while his brother, Luther Archer, Midnight Songs LLC writer, wrote the lyrics.<ref name="cm">Onnell (1997), pp. 103–105.</ref> Originally featured on the soundtrack to the film ''[[Jason's Lyric]]'' (1994), the single peaked at number 5 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]] and at number 28 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="jason">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r203601/charts-awards/billboard-single|pure_url=yes}} Jason's Lyric: Charts & Awards]. AllMusic. Retrieved January 28, 2009.</ref> The music video for "U Will Know" featured D'Angelo as the group's choir director; he reprised the role for the live performance of the song at the [[Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref name="PRWeb"/> That same year, he wrote and produced the song "Overjoyed" for the [[Boys Choir of Harlem]],<ref name="Farley">Farley, Christopher John. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071221104947/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,995906-1,00.html D'Angelo: Salvation Sex and Voodoo]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref> which appeared on their album ''The Sound of Hope'' (1994).<ref name="hope">[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000008NGH Amazon.com: The Sound of Hope] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125200507/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000008NGH |date=January 25, 2025 }}. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved February 1, 2009.</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=October 2025}} The success of "U Will Know" helped build the buzz surrounding D'Angelo, which was followed by a number of highly promoted showcases, and added to the buzz among [[music industry]] insiders.<ref name="PRWeb"/>

''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' was released in July 1995. Although sales were sluggish at first, the album was eventually a hit. The album debuted at number 6 on the US ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top R&B Albums]] chart in the week of July 22, 1995.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/charts/1995-07-22/r-b-hip-hop-albums R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of July 22, 1995]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> It ultimately peaked at number 4 in the week of February 24, 1996,<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/charts/1996-02-24/r-b-hip-hop-albums R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of February 24, 1996]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> and spent more than a year on the chart.<ref name="R&B">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=d'angelo|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums B}} Chart History: D'Angelo – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> ''Brown Sugar'' spent sixty-five weeks on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and peaked at number 22 on the chart.<ref name="bb200">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=d'angelo|chart=Billboard 200}} Chart History: D'Angelo – Billboard 200]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> It sold 300,000 copies within two months.<ref>Coker, Cheo H. "[https://archive.today/20130131153936/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21443066.html?dids=21443066:21443066&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+18,+1995&author=CHEO+H.+COKER&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Is+D'Angelo+the+Heir+to+Throne+of+Soul+Music%3F+21-Year-Old+Newcomer+Has+Fans+Swooning+Over+Voice+as+Sweet+as+%60Brown+Sugar'&pqatl=google Is D'Angelo the Heir to Throne of Soul Music? 21-Year-Old Newcomer Has Fans Swooning Over Voice as Sweet as `Brown Sugar']". ''Chicago Tribune'': 1. August 18, 1995.</ref> The album had been selling 35,000 to 40,000 copies a week through to November 1995,<ref name="Ayers"/> and by January 1996, it had sold 400,000 copies.<ref>Phillips, Chuck. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104021833/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4324243.html The New Payola // Record Companies Use Perks To Gain Ear of Radio Stations The New Payola // Record Companies Use Perks To Gain Ear of Radio Stations]". ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'': 1. January 3, 1996.</ref> With the help of its four singles, including the [[RIAA certification|gold]]-selling [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] hit "[[Lady (D'Angelo song)|Lady]]" and [[Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs|R&B]] top-ten singles "[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo song)|Brown Sugar]]" and [[Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson song)|"Cruisin]]",<ref>[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Lady&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=Virgin%20Records&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Gold & Platinum – Searchable Database: Lady]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> the album reached sales of 500,000 copies in the United States by October 1995.<ref name="Ayers">Ayers, Anne. "[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/enter/music/lem018.htm D'Angelo Cruisin' Through His First Tour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309120517/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/enter/music/lem018.htm |date=March 9, 2016 }}. ''[[USA Today]]'': 14.D. November 1, 1995.</ref><ref name="RIAA">[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Brown%20Sugar&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Gold & Platinum – Searchable Database: Brown Sugar] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019022802/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Brown%20Sugar&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=October 19, 2015 }}. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> On February 7, 1996, it was certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]], following shipments in excess of one million in the U.S.<ref name="RIAA"/> The album was certified gold in Canada on May 9, 2000.<ref name="CRIA">[http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php Search Certification Database: Brown Sugar]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126233429/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |date=26 January 2010 }}. [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref> Its total sales have been estimated within the range of 1.5&nbsp;million to over 2&nbsp;million units.<ref name="Huey"/><ref name="Wells">Wells, Chris. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-just-got-to-keep-it-real-1127170.html "Pop: Just Got to Keep It Real"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621210230/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pop-just-got-to-keep-it-real-1127170.html |date=June 21, 2017 }}, ''[[The Independent]]''. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Staff. [http://soundslam.com/articles/news/news.php?news=050728_dangel "D'Angelo Reportedly Moving To J Records"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120714140348/http://soundslam.com/articles/news/news.php?news=050728_dangel |date=14 July 2012 }}. SoundSlam. Retrieved May 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Columnist. "[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EC59F8E2A641FDA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Soul Survivor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083015/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EC59F8E2A641FDA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=March 4, 2016 }}". ''[[The Miami Herald]]'': 1M. May 27, 2001.</ref><ref>Burch, Audra D. S. "[https://archive.today/20120716070239/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/timesdispatch/access/73722409.html?dids=73722409:73722409&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+03,+2001&author=Audra+D.S.+Burch&pub=Richmond+Times+-+Dispatch&desc=NEO-SOUL:+PAST+FUTURE+PERFECT&pqatl=google Neo-Soul: Past Future Perfect]". ''[[Richmond Times]]'': H.2. June 3, 2001.</ref><ref>Webster, Nicholas. "[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/journalnow/access/488437781.html?dids=488437781:488437781&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+07%2C+2000&author=Nicholas+Webster+TEEN+PAGE+REPORTER&pub=Winston-Salem+Journal&desc=A+LITTLE+SUGAR%3A+FOLLOW-UP+ALBUM+IS+A+GOOD+LISTEN+IF+NOT+A+MARKET+HIT+%3B+LISTEN+UP&pqatl=google A Little Sugar: Follow-Up Albums Is a Good Listen If Not a Market Hit]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}". ''[[Winston-Salem Journal]]'': 2. February 7, 2000.</ref>

=== 1996–2000: Reduced activity and ''Voodoo'' ===
After the success of his debut album ''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' in 1995, D'Angelo became less active in the music scene and released limited solo work.<ref name="signed">[[Press release|PR]]. [http://haoodnla.com/article/lxy09216611y9j01/96476 D'Angelo Signed to RCA Music Group (J Records)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304071512/http://haoodnla.com/article/lxy09216611y9j01/96476 |date=March 4, 2012 }}. [[PRWeb]]. Retrieved December 8, 2008.</ref> After touring for two years to promote the album ''Brown Sugar'', D'Angelo suffered from [[writer's block]].<ref name=EW>Seymour, Craig. [https://ew.com/article/2000/02/07/why-dangelos-no-1-album-almost-didnt-happen/ Why D'Angelo's No. 1 Album Almost Didn't Happen] . ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> Of the setback, D'Angelo later stated "The thing about writer's block is that you want to write so fucking bad, [but] the songs don't come out that way. They come from life. So you've got to live to write."<ref name=EW/> During this period, he generally released cover versions and remakes, such as a cover of the [[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Tammi Terrell]] duet song "[[Your Precious Love]]" with [[Erykah Badu]] for the soundtrack to ''[[High School High]]'' (1996).<ref name="signed"/> D'Angelo contributed the original song "I Found My Smile Again" to the ''[[Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture|Space Jam]]'' soundtrack (1996). He covered [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s "She's Always in My Hair" for the ''[[Scream 2]]'' soundtrack (1997), as well as the [[Ohio Players]]' "Heaven Must Be Like This" for the ''[[Down in the Delta]]'' soundtrack (1998). D'Angelo also appeared on a duet, "[[Nothing Even Matters]]", with [[Lauryn Hill]] for her debut solo album ''[[The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill]]'' (1998).<ref>{{cite web |last1=C |first1=M |title=Lauryn Hill feat. D'Angelo, 'Nothing Even Matters' |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/dangelo-12-essential-songs-list-85710/lauryn-hill-feat-dangelo-nothing-even-matters-85715/ |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU |date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

The much-delayed follow-up to ''Brown Sugar'', ''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]'', was released in 2000 on Virgin Records after EMI Records Group was absorbed by the label. ''Voodoo'' received rave reviews from [[music criticism|music critic]]s,<ref name="Evanoff">Evanoff, Rob. [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0700_073.htm Review: ''Voodoo''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022193728/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0700_073.htm |date=October 22, 2012 }}. ''[[All About Jazz]]''. Retrieved December 21, 2008.</ref> who dubbed it a "masterpiece" and D'Angelo's greatest work.<ref name=jet>Columnist. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=17QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58&dq= Hot Singer D'Angelo]". ''[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]'': 58–62. July 3, 2000.</ref><ref name="McPherson">McPherson, Steve. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180729081506/http://www.reveillemag.com/columns/warp-weft/warp-weft-dangelo-voodoo Warp + Weft: ''Voodoo'']. Reveille Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2008.</ref><ref>Farley, Christopher John. [https://content.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601000124,00.html January 24, 2000 Vol. 155 No. 3: The Arts / Music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127145034/https://content.time.com/time/magazine/0,9263,7601000124,00.html |date=November 27, 2024 }}. ''Time''. Received December 21, 2008.</ref><ref name=citypages>Scholtes, Peter S. [http://www.citypages.com/2000-02-09/music/footsteps-in-the-dark/1 Review: ''Voodoo''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023163244/http://www.citypages.com/2000-02-09/music/footsteps-in-the-dark/1/ |date=October 23, 2012 }}. ''[[City Pages]]''. Retrieved December 21, 2008.</ref> The album debuted at number 1 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart,<ref name=albumchart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=D%27Angelo+Voodoo&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=36&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE 0 ''Billboard'' Music Charts: ''Voodoo'']{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> selling 320,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="Century">Century, Douglas. [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/06/style/noticed-singing-in-the-buff-the-pure-beefcake-video.html?pagewanted=all Singing in the Buff: The Pure Beefcake Video]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved January 23, 2009.</ref> It entered the ''Billboard'' 200 on February 12, 2000, and remained on the chart for thirty-three&nbsp;consecutive weeks.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/charts/2000-02-12/billboard-200 Top Music Charts: ''Voodoo'' (02/12/00)]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> As of 2005, the album has sold over 1.7&nbsp;million copies in the US, according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]].<ref name="Nielsen">Hall, Rashaun. [http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4379171-1.html D'Angelo Heading To J?]. ''Billboard'': July 26, 2005. Archived from [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61987/dangelo-heading-to-j the original] August 9, 2008.</ref> In 2001, ''Voodoo'' won a [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album]] at the [[43rd Grammy Awards]] which was awarded to D'Angelo and recording engineer Russell Elevado.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/voodoo-r445058/charts-awards/grammy GRAMMY Awards: ''Voodoo''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005123433/https://ssum-sec.casalemedia.com/usermatch?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2F&s=184674&cb=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.indexww.com%2Fht%2Fhtw-pixel.gif%3F |date=October 5, 2023 }}. AllMusic. Retrieved March 21, 2009.</ref> The album was executive-produced by then-manager and creative collaborator, Dominique Trenier.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-08-06|title=D'Angelo's producer and manager Dominique Trenier has died|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dangelo-21-1196505|access-date=2022-02-17|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217110731/https://www.nme.com/news/music/dangelo-21-1196505|url-status=live}}</ref>

Its first two singles, "[[Devil's Pie]]" and "[[Left & Right (D'Angelo song)|Left & Right]]", peaked at number 69 and number 70 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref name=dchart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=Devil%27s+Pie&Ntk=Keyword&an=bbcom&nor=10&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=37 ''Billboard'' Music Charts: Devil's Pie]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref><ref name=lchart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=Left+%26+Right+D%27Angelo&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE 0 Billboard Music Charts: Left & Right]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> The latter was commercially aimed at R&B and hip hop-oriented radio stations due to the prominence of rappers [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]] and [[Method Man]] on the track.<ref>Columnist. "[http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4629920-1.html Singles Reviews: 'Left & Right']". ''Billboard''. 19. October 30, 1999. Archived from [https://books.google.com/books?id=eAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19&dq= the original] August 9, 2008.</ref> According to Rich Ford Jr., producer of the "Left & Right" music video, both the single and the video went commercially unnoticed due to [[MTV]]'s refusal to place the song's video in rotation, serving as punishment for missing the deadline for its initial premiere. The fifth single "[[Feel Like Makin' Love (Roberta Flack song)|Feel Like Makin' Love]]" was less successful, reaching number 109 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks]].<ref name=fchart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=Feel+Like+Makin%27+Love+D%27Angelo&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE 0 ''Billboard'' Music Charts: Feel Like Makin' Love]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> "[[Send It On (D'Angelo song)|Send It On]]", the album's fourth single, achieved moderate chart success, peaking at number 33 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Pop Singles chart.<ref name=schart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=Send+It+On+D%27Angelo&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE 0 Billboard Music Charts: Send It On]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> The album's third single, "[[Untitled (How Does It Feel)]]", became its greatest chart success, peaking at number 25 on the Hot 100 Singles and at number 2 on the R&B Singles chart.<ref name=uchart>[https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=Untitled+D%27Angelo&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE 0 ''Billboard'' Music Charts: Untitled (How Does It Feel)]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved August 9, 2008.</ref> Its infamous music video helped in boosting the song's appeal, as well as D'Angelo's. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote of the video, "It's pure sexuality. D'Angelo, muscularly cut and glistening, is shot from the hips up, naked, with just enough shown to prompt a slow burning desire in most any woman who sees it. The video alone could make the song one of the biggest of the coming year".<ref name=billboardvideo>Columnist. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=oQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23&dq= Singles Reviews: 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)']". ''Billboard'': 23–24. January 15, 2000. Archived from [https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews/single_review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=729597 the original]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} on December 20, 2008.</ref> It earned three nominations for the [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards]], including [[MTV Video Music Award|Video of the Year]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video|Best R&B Video]], and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Best Male Video]].<ref>Columnist. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/915759.stm MTV Video Music Awards: The Winners] . [[BBC News]]. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref>

=== 2001–2013: Personal struggles and delayed album ===
Near the end of his worldwide tour in support of the album that same year, D'Angelo's personal issues had worsened, affecting performances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/08/dangelo-what-hell-happened/ |title=D'Angelo: What the Hell Happened? |work=Spin |date=August 5, 2008 |access-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408061956/http://www.spin.com/2008/08/dangelo-what-hell-happened/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He became more conscious of and uncomfortable with his status as a [[sex symbol]], and after the tour D'Angelo returned to his home in Richmond, Virginia, disappearing from the public eye.<ref name="Peisner">Peisner, David (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ul7jcf4HvN4C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA64#v=onepage&q&f=false Body & Soul] ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', pp. 64–72.</ref> Several of D'Angelo's peers and affiliates have noted the commercial impact of the "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" music video and ''The Voodoo Tour'' as contributing factors to D'Angelo's period of absence from the music scene.<ref>Staff. [http://cdrom.launch.com/ar-312042-news--DAngelo D'Angelo News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621161429/http://cdrom.launch.com/ar-312042-news--DAngelo|date=June 21, 2017}}. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved November 1, 2008.</ref> His former music manager, Dominique Trenier, explained his disappointment in the music video's impact in a 2008 interview for ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine. Trenier was quoted as saying that "to this day, in the general populace's memory, he's the naked dude."<ref name="Peisner"/>

According to tour manager Alan Leeds, the experience "took away his confidence, because he's not convinced why any given fan is supporting him."<ref name="Peisner"/> Following the suicide of his close friend, MTV-affiliate Fred Jordan, in April 2001, he started to develop a drinking problem.<ref name="Peisner"/> As his alcoholism escalated, plans for a live album and a [[The Soultronics|Soultronics]] studio effort, both originally set for after the tour, were scrapped, and impatient Virgin executives cut off funding for the expected 2004 solo album.<ref name="Peisner"/> During this period he collaborated with Raphael Saadiq on the song "Be Here", which was included on Saadiq's album ''[[Instant Vintage]]'' and nominated for best Best R&B Song and Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the [[45th Grammy Awards]].

By 2005, D'Angelo's girlfriend had left him, his attorney had become displeased with him, and most of his family was not in touch with him.<ref name="Peisner"/> He also parted ways with Trenier and tour manager Alan Leeds.<ref name="Peisner"/> After a car accident and an arrest on DUI and marijuana possession charges, D'Angelo left Virgin Records in 2005 and checked into the [[Crossroads Centre]] rehabilitation clinic in [[Antigua]].<ref name="Peisner"/> In 2005, his recording contract was acquired by [[J Records]],<ref>Columnist. [http://hhnlive.com/news/more/2518 D'Angelo Working On J Records Debut] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218095242/http://hhnlive.com/news/more/2518 |date=February 18, 2012 }}. HHNLive.com. Retrieved December 28, 2008.</ref> following rumors of D'Angelo signing to [[Bad Boy Records]].<ref name="signed"/> Despite no solo output, D'Angelo collaborated with some R&B and hip hop artists during this period between albums,<ref name="Peisner"/> appearing on albums such as [[J Dilla]]'s ''[[The Shining (J Dilla album)|The Shining]]'' (2006), [[Snoop Dogg]]'s ''[[Tha Blue Carpet Treatment]]'' (2006), [[Common (rapper)|Common]]'s ''[[Finding Forever]]'' (2007), and [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]]'s ''[[The Renaissance (Q-Tip album)|The Renaissance]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dangelo-mn0000134600/credits|title=D'Angelo – Credits|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=July 16, 2012|archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013041011/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dangelo-mn0000134600/credits|url-status=live}}</ref>

D'Angelo's subsequent solo work was extensively delayed.<ref name="Peisner"/> Production for a full-length follow-up to ''Voodoo'' was stagnant, as he was working on and off mostly by himself during 2002.<ref name="qt">Elevado, Russell. Questlove. [http://www.qualitytimeonline.nl/2008/01/17/dangelos-james-river/ D'Angelo's 'James River'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008200012/http://www.qualitytimeonline.nl/2008/01/17/dangelos-james-river/ |date=October 8, 2011 }}. Quality Time. Retrieved January 18, 2009.</ref> D'Angelo attempted to play every instrument for the project, striving for complete creative control similar to that of [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref name="NYTObit"/> Russell Elevado described the resulting material as "[[Parliament-Funkadelic|Parliament/Funkadelic]] meets [[the Beatles]] meets Prince, and the whole time there's this [[Jimi Hendrix]] energy".<ref name="Peisner"/> However, those who previewed its songs found it to be unfinished.<ref name="Peisner"/> In the years that followed, D'Angelo's personal problems worsened, descending to drug and alcohol addiction. In January 2005 he was arrested and charged with possession of [[marijuana]] and [[cocaine]]. Various [[mugshot]]s began circulating around the time, showing the singer looking overweight and unhealthy, in stark contrast to the muscular D'Angelo seen in promotion for ''Voodoo''.<ref name="tinypic1">{{cite web|url=http://i30.tinypic.com/33xaqkz.jpg|format=JPG|title=Tags: dangelo|publisher=I30.tinypic.com|access-date=December 15, 2014|archive-date=December 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210212640/http://i30.tinypic.com/33xaqkz.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=October 2025}} In September 2005, a week after being sentenced on the drug charges, he was involved in a car accident, and was rumored to be critically injured. However, a week after the crash a statement was issued by D'Angelo's attorney stating that he was fine, continuing to say, "He is anxious to finish the recording of his soul masterpiece that the world has patiently awaited."<ref name="harris2005">{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Chris |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510403/20050927/d_angelo.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903163318/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510403/20050927/d_angelo.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 3, 2012 |title=D'Angelo Says He's 'Fine' After Car Accident – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:D'Angelo@Brixton2.jpg|thumb|320px|D'Angelo performing at [[Brixton Academy]] in London, 2012]]

No more was revealed on the new album until 2007, when [[Questlove]] leaked an unfinished track on Triple J Radio in Australia. Entitled "[[Really Love (D'Angelo song)|Really Love]]", the track was an acoustic flavored jam with a laid back swing feel. The leak apparently soured relations between the two.<ref name="Peisner"/> D'Angelo released a CD/DVD [[compilation album]] entitled ''The Best So Far…'', first released on June 24, 2008, on [[Virgin Records]]. The compilation features songs from his two previous albums, ''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' and ''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]'', as well as rarities and a second disc, a DVD of previously unreleased videos. Around the same time, the compilation was released digitally without the Erykah Badu and [[Raphael Saadiq]] featured songs, under the title ''Ultimate D'Angelo.''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-DAngelo-digital-booklet-Dangelo/dp/B001AL201U |title=Ultimate D'Angelo: D'angelo: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-date=December 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226145216/http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-DAngelo-digital-booklet-Dangelo/dp/B001AL201U |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=October 2025}}

In late November 2011, D'Angelo announced a series of 2012 [[Occupy Music Tour|European tour]] dates.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stats |first=Eddie |title=OKP News: D'Angelo Europe Dates Confirmed |url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/okp-news-dangelo-europe-dates-confirmed.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116090420/http://www.okayplayer.com/news/okp-news-dangelo-europe-dates-confirmed.html |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2014 |work=Okayplayer}}</ref> The tour kicked off January 26 in Stockholm, Sweden<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/27/d-angelo-review?CMP=twt_gu|title=D'Angelo – review|first=Rosie|last=Swash|work=The Guardian|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> with its final show on February 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whenthebeatdrops.com/dangelo-2012-european-tour-dates-announced-includes-london-concert|title=D'Angelo 2012 European Tour Dates Announced – Includes London Concert|publisher=Whenthebeatdrops.com|access-date=December 15, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228123016/http://whenthebeatdrops.com/dangelo-2012-european-tour-dates-announced-includes-london-concert/|archive-date=December 28, 2012}}</ref> The tour featured a selection of hits from his two previous albums and songs from his upcoming album, which was close to completion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44776-uestlove-talks-michele-bachmann-fiasco-new-dangelo-album/|title=?uestlove Talks Michele Bachmann Fiasco, New D'Angelo Album|work=Pitchfork|date=December 2011|access-date=December 15, 2014|archive-date=December 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215205101/http://pitchfork.com/news/44776-uestlove-talks-michele-bachmann-fiasco-new-dangelo-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> He premiered 4 new songs: "Sugah Daddy", "Ain't That Easy", "Another Life" and "The Charade" which were well received. On June 9, 2012, he joined Questlove for the annual [[Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival]]'s [[Superjam]]. He did not play any of his original material and this marked the first time in nearly 12 years that he performed on stage in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/dangelo-and-questlove-jam-at-bonnaroo-20120613 |title=D'Angelo and Questlove Jam at Bonnaroo |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2016 |archive-date=October 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003083056/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/dangelo-and-questlove-jam-at-bonnaroo-20120613 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 1, 2012, D'Angelo performed at [[Jay-Z]]'s [[Budweiser Made in America Festival|Made in America]] festival where he again performed the new songs, "The Charade" and "Sugah Daddy". On October 7, [[RCA Music Group]] announced that it was closing [[J Records]], [[Arista Records]], and [[Jive Records]]. With the shutdown, D'Angelo (and all other artists previously signed to those labels) would release his future material on [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story |title=RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs (Update) |magazine=Billboard |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326023401/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News, and more! |magazine=FMQB |access-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-date=November 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108044953/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2014–2020: ''Black Messiah'' and "Unshaken"===
D'Angelo released his third album, ''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]'', in December 2014. D'Angelo originally wanted to release ''Black Messiah'' in 2015, but the controversial decisions in the [[Shooting of Michael Brown|Ferguson]] and [[Death of Eric Garner|Eric Garner]] cases inspired him to release it earlier.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/arts/music/dangelos-black-messiah-was-released-in-a-rush.html|title = D'Angelo's 'Black Messiah' Was Released in Response to Protests|date = December 17, 2014|access-date = December 18, 2014|website = The New York Times|archive-date = December 18, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141218040543/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/arts/music/dangelos-black-messiah-was-released-in-a-rush.html|url-status = live}}</ref> On December 12, 2014, [[Kevin Liles]], D'Angelo's manager, shared a 15-second teaser of the album on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kwlmanagement.com/|title=KWL Management – A Kevin Liles Co.|publisher=Kwlmanagement.com|access-date=December 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205233112/http://www.kwlmanagement.com/|archive-date=February 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two days later, the track "Sugah Daddy", which had been part of D'Angelo's [[set list]] since 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57828-dangelo-returns-with-new-track-sugah-daddy/ |title=D'Angelo Returns With New Track "Sugah Daddy"  |website=Pitchfork |date=December 14, 2014 |access-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref> premiered at 3{{nbsp}}am EST and a thousand downloads were available on [[Red Bull]]'s 20 Before 15 website.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Trevor |date=December 13, 2014 |title=D'Angelo Announces "Black Messiah" Album, Possibly Coming Next Week [Update: New Single Dropping Tonight] |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/27456-d-angelo-announces-black-messiah-album-possibly-coming-next-week-update-new-single-dropping-tonight-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214050616/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/d-angelo-announces-black-messiah-album-possibly-coming-next-week-update-new-single-dropping-tonight-news.13214.html |archive-date=December 14, 2014 |access-date=December 15, 2014 |work=HotNewHipHop}}</ref> After an exclusive listening party in New York produced by Afropunk festival founder Matthew Morgan and Jocelyn Cooper, ''Black Messiah'' was released digitally on December 15 through [[iTunes Store|iTunes]], [[Google Play Music]], and [[Spotify]].<ref name="NYTObit"/> The album's unexpected release was compared to [[Beyoncé]]'s self-titled [[Beyoncé (album)|release]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Molanphy |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/613-dangelos-black-messiah-is-1-in-our-hearts-but-not-on-the-charts-what-gives/ |title=D'Angelo's Black Messiah Is No. 1 in Our Hearts, But Not on the Charts-What Gives? &#124; The Pitch |work=Pitchfork |date=December 19, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601131831/http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/613-dangelos-black-messiah-is-1-in-our-hearts-but-not-on-the-charts-what-gives/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 13, 2015, "Really Love" was released to [[urban adult contemporary]] radio in the US.<ref name="NYTObit"/>

The album was met with universal acclaim from critics; as of 2015, it had a 95/100 [[weighted average|mean score]] on review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/black-messiah/dangelo|title=Reviews for Black Messiah by D'Angelo|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 19, 2014|archive-date=January 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105054934/http://www.metacritic.com/music/black-messiah/dangelo|url-status=live}}</ref> In its first week of release, ''Black Messiah'' debuted at number 5 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and sold 117,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Robertson|first=Iyana|date=December 24, 2014|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/the-pinkprint-black-messiah-billboard-200-debuts|title=Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' And D'Angelo's 'Black Messiah' Debut In ''Billboard'' 200's Top 10|journal=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|location=New York|access-date=December 29, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229105435/http://www.vibe.com/article/the-pinkprint-black-messiah-billboard-200-debuts|url-status=live}}</ref> In its second week, the album dropped to number 25 on the chart and sold another 40,254 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Balfour |first=Jay |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31946/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-fabolous |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Fabolous &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |magazine=HipHopDX.com |date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102194733/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31946/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-fabolous |archive-date=January 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 47 on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with first-week sales of 7,423 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Official Charts Analysis: X Factor's Ben Haenow lands the Christmas No.1|url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-x-factor-s-ben-haenow-lands-the-christmas-no-1/060421 |magazine=[[Music Week]]|access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref>

D'Angelo supported ''Black Messiah'' with a tour called ''[[The Second Coming Tour (D'Angelo)|The Second Coming]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonik |first=Michael |date=2014-11-13 |title=D'Angelo Announces 'The Second Coming' European Tour |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/dangelo-announces-the-second-coming-european-tour/704402 |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Okayplayer |language=en-US}}</ref> His band, once called "The Testimony" and later renamed "The Vanguard", included drummer [[Chris Dave]], bassist [[Pino Palladino]], guitarists [[Jesse Johnson (musician)|Jesse Johnson]] ([[The Time (band)|the Time]]) and [[Isaiah Sharkey]], vocalists [[Kendra Foster]] (sometimes replaced by [[Joi Gilliam]]), Jermaine Holmes and Charles "Redd" Middleton, keyboardist Cleo "Pookie" Sample, jazz trumpeter [[Keyon Harrold]], saxophonist Kenneth Whalum manning the horn section, and D'Angelo as the lead vocalist, playing the electric grand piano, electric guitar, and even the band's conductor at certain moments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/night-life/dangelo-vanguard|title=D'Angelo and the Vanguard|publisher=New Yorker|date=January 29, 2015|accessdate=October 14, 2025}}</ref> D'Angelo and the Vanguard's [[The Second Coming Tour (D'Angelo)|Second Coming Tour]] commenced in [[New York City|New York]] on February 7, 2015, and concluded in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] on November 6, 2015, with a total of 57 shows in Europe, Asia and North America.<ref name=tours/>

At the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]], ''Black Messiah'' won Best R&B Album while "[[Really Love (D'Angelo song)|Really Love]]" won [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]].<ref name=grammynoms/><ref name="LAT"/>

In June 2015, D'Angelo confirmed to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that he was working on more material for a new album, calling it "a companion piece" to ''Black Messiah''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-second-coming-of-dangelo-20150614?page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617103509/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-second-coming-of-dangelo-20150614?page=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2015|title=The Second Coming of D'Angelo|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> D'Angelo performed [[Prince (musician)|Prince's]] "[[Sometimes It Snows in April]]" on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' in April 2016 accompanied by [[Maya Rudolph]] and [[Gretchen Lieberum]] as a tribute to the musician, appearing 'overcome with emotion' at the passing of a major influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/04/dangelo-tribute-sometimes-it-snows-in-april-tonight-show/|title=D'Angelo Delivers Beautiful Rendition of Prince's 'Sometimes it Snows in April' on the 'Tonight Show' {{!}} SPIN|date=April 27, 2016|website=Spin|access-date=May 7, 2016}}</ref> D'Angelo contributed to the soundtrack for the 2018 video game ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''. He sang on the song "[[Unshaken]]" which was produced by [[Daniel Lanois]]. He had previously served as a [[playtest]]er for the game itself due to his love for the series. The game's music team eventually invited him to perform on a song, which was finished in a week.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dangelo-red-dead-redemption-2-767748/ |title=D'Angelo F-cking Loves Playing 'Red Dead Redemption 2' |last=Leight |first=Elias |date=December 18, 2018 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219133444/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dangelo-red-dead-redemption-2-767748/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Unshaken" was later released as a digital single on January 4, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/dangelos-red-dead-redemption-2-song-gets-official-release-listen/ |title=D'Angelo's "Red Dead Redemption 2" Song Gets Official Release: Listen |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=January 4, 2019 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183205/https://pitchfork.com/news/dangelos-red-dead-redemption-2-song-gets-official-release-listen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2021–2025: ''Verzuz'', upcoming fourth album ===
On February 14, 2021, D'Angelo appeared on Instagram Live to announce that he would be performing at the [[Apollo Theater]] on February 27, 2021, in cooperation with the American webcast ''[[Verzuz]]''. The event was billed as ''D'Angelo VS Friends'' and featured no opponents; instead, D'Angelo performed a solo set with shared performances with his peers and collaborators, [[Keyon Harrold]], [[Method Man & Redman]], and [[H.E.R.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/dangelo-grammy-winning-r-b-singer-who-became-an-icon-with-untitled-how-does-it/article_c2705c21-5cfb-4dbf-bce9-104902fa1ab8.html|title=D'Angelo, Grammy-winning R&B singer who became an icon with 'Untitled (How Does It Feel),' dies|publisher=Philadelphia Tribune|accessdate=14 October 2025|date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

On June 10, 2021, D'Angelo performed at the 2021 [[Tribeca Film Festival]] in New York City for "The Songs of ''Red Dead Redemption 2''". He performed his 2019 single "Unshaken", which was his contribution to the game's soundtrack. D'Angelo performed as a guitarist and the lead vocalist, with soundtrack producer [[Daniel Lanois]], singer [[Rhiannon Giddens]], and members of his band "D'Angelo and the Vanguard", including guitarist [[Jesse Johnson (musician)|Jesse Johnson]] and vocalists Jermaine Holmes and Charles Middleton by his side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/watch-dangelo-perform-unshaken-live-at-tribeca-film-festival-in-nyc/355728|title=Watch D'Angelo Perform "Unshaken" Live at Tribeca Film Festival in NYC|publisher=Okay Player|date=June 13, 2021|accessdate=October 14, 2025}}</ref>

In 2024, he featured alongside [[Jay-Z]] on the song "I Want You Forever" from the soundtrack to the film ''[[The Book of Clarence]]''. In September 2024, [[Raphael Saadiq]] said "D's in a good space," and that D'Angelo was working on a new album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Diaz |first=Angel |date=2024-09-11 |title=D'Angelo Is Working on New Music, Raphael Saadiq Says: 'D's In a Good Space' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dangelo-new-music-raphael-saadiq-interview-1235772763/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920180247/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dangelo-new-music-raphael-saadiq-interview-1235772763/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Artistry, influences, legacy and impact==
In a 1995 interview, he discussed the influence that musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] had on his approach to recording his debut album, stating "I was one of those guys who read the album credits and I realized that Prince was a true artist. He wrote, produced, and performed, and that's the way I wanted to do it."<ref name="cm"/> According to D'Angelo, the hip hop influence present on the album "came from the [[Native Tongues]] movement – [[A Tribe Called Quest|Tribe Called Quest]], [[Gang Starr]] and [[Main Source]]."<ref name="Farber">{{cite news|last=Farber|first=Jim|title=Body & Soul: Sexy D'Angelo practices a little 'Voodoo' and spins a hit|date=January 23, 2000|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York}}</ref> In a February 1999 interview with music journalist [[Touré (journalist)|Touré]], D'Angelo discussed on his visit to [[South Carolina]], that he "went through this tunnel, through [[Gospel music|gospel]], [[blues]], and a lot of old [[Soul music|soul]], old [[James Brown]], early, early [[Sly and the Family Stone]], and a lot of [[Jimi Hendrix]]".<ref name="allears" /> In the same interview, he cited the deaths of rappers [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] as having a great effect on him during the period.<ref name="allears">Touré. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_2_29/ai_53747396?tag=untagged D'Angelo: All Ears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030224600/http://findarticles.com/?noadc=1 |date=October 30, 2020 }}". ''[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]'': February 1999.</ref> Collectively referred to by D'Angelo as "[[yoda]]",<ref name="Believer">Touré. [http://www.believermag.com/issues/200308/?read=interview_thompson Interview with Ahmir Thompson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622210104/http://www.believermag.com/issues/200308/?read=interview_thompson |date=June 22, 2017 }}. ''[[The Believer (magazine)|The Believer]]''. Retrieved November 1, 2008.</ref> these influencers included soul artist [[Al Green]], [[funk]] artist [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], and [[Afrobeat]] artist [[Fela Kuti]].<ref name=":0" />

''Brown Sugar'' is widely credited as the album that launched [[neo-soul]],{{efn|name="blackmusic"}} with the term coined soon after by D'Angelo's manager Kedar Massenburg.<ref name="LAT">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-10-14/dangelo-dead-singer-neo-soul|title=D'Angelo, Grammy award winning singer whose 'Brown Sugar' launched the neo-soul movement, dies at 51|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 14, 2025|accessdate=October 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/popscene-neo-soul/|title=Popscene: Neo Soul|first=Steve|last=O'Brien|publisher= Classic Pop Magazine|date=September 12, 2025|access-date=October 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>Kot, Greg. "[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17321996.html?dids=17321996:17321996&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+21%2C+1996&author=Greg+Kot%2C+Tribune+Rock+Critic.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=DUSTING+OFF+OLD+KING+SOUL&pqatl=google Dusting of Old King Soul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208192925/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17321996.html?dids=17321996:17321996&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+21,+1996&author=Greg+Kot,+Tribune+Rock+Critic.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=DUSTING+OFF+OLD+KING+SOUL&pqatl=google |date=February 8, 2013 }}". ''Chicago Tribune'': 1. July 21, 1996. Retrieved October 14, 2025.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Shapiro|first1=Peter|first2=Al|last2=Spicer|title=The Rough Guide to Soul and R&B|publisher=Rough Guides|year=2006|isbn=1-84353-264-6}}</ref> The style blends R&B with elements from [[hip-hop]], [[jazz]] and other styles of music.<ref name="McIntosh, 2025"/> [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] defined D'Angelo as "the groundbreaking R&B artist who helped define the neo-soul movement across decades".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2025-10-14 |title=D'Angelo, Groundbreaking R&B Artist, Dies at 51 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/dangelo-groundbreaking-randb-artist-dies-at-51/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' described D'Angelo as the "godfather of neo-soul".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/10/14/dangelo-dead/|title=D'Angelo, R&B visionary and godfather of neo-soul, dies at 51|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 14, 2025|access-date=October 14, 2025}}</ref> D'Angelo distanced himself from the term, saying in 2014, "I never claimed I do neo-soul... When I first came out, I used to always say, 'I do [[black music]]. I make black music."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-15 |title=D'Angelo: The pioneer who charted a new course for soul music |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62e5e3j75vo |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

His second album ''Voodoo'' (2000) is considered one of the best examples of neo soul music by music critics, while it was listed as 28th on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name="28th">{{Cite magazine|date=2020-09-22|title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|access-date=2020-09-22|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923210922/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album single" [[Untitled (How Does It Feel)]]" was listed as second on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21th Century.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2024-01-03 |title=The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> [[George Clinton]] compared ''Voodoo'' to [[Marvin Gaye]]'s landmark 1971 album ''[[What's Going On (album)|What's Going On]]''.<ref name="Sisario">Sisario, Ben. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/arts/music/dangelo-dead.html]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. (October 14, 2025). Retrieved October 18, 2025.</ref> Music critics have called ''Voodoo'' a "towering achievement",<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Touré |date=2025-10-14 |title=The Rise, Retreat, and Resurrection of D'Angelo: How the influential soul artist studied the greats — from James Brown to Prince — and became one |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dangelo-dead-tribute-voodoo-child-brown-sugar-untitled-1235447453/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> "masterpiece"<ref name="Shteamer">Shteamer, Hank. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/arts/music/dangelo-voodoo.html]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. (October 15, 2025). Retrieved October 18, 2025.</ref> and "classic".<ref name="Blistein">Blistein, Jon. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dangelo-dead-obit-obituary-1235446878/]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. (October 14, 2025). Retrieved October 18, 2025.</ref> ''Voodoo'' was influential on many [[jazz]] musicians in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-14 |title=D'Angelo, Who Influenced 21st Century Jazz, Dies at 51 |url=https://downbeat.com/news/detail/dangelo-who-influenced-21st-century-jazz-dies-at-51 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=downbeat.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Black Messiah (album)|''Black Messiah'']] featured more of a [[Rock music|rock]] and [[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]] sound, and more political lyrics, than previous releases.<ref name=":1" /> In 2016, ''Black Messiah'', [[Beyoncé]]'s [[Beyoncé (album)|''Beyoncé'']] (2013), [[Run the Jewels]]' ''[[Run the Jewels 2]]'' (2014), and [[Kendrick Lamar]]'s ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'' (2015) were noted by ''[[The Yale Herald]]'' as laying the groundwork down for the politically charged releases that happened in 2016, which included [[Rihanna]]'s ''[[Anti (album)|Anti]]'', Kanye West's ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'', and Beyonce's "[[Formation (song)|Formation]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Potash |first=Jacob |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Kanye Beyonce Rihanna and the Pop Reformation |url=http://yaleherald.com/culture/kanye-beyonce-rihanna-and-the-pop-reformation/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312064029/http://yaleherald.com/culture/kanye-beyonce-rihanna-and-the-pop-reformation/ |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |work=[[Yale Herald]]}}</ref>

In 2023, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked D'Angelo at number 75 on its list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1, 2023 |title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/dangelo-6-1234643081/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/dangelo-6-1234643081/ |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025 [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] listed the singer as the 45th on the list of "The 75th Best R&B Arist of all Time" in 2025.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author1=Andrew Unterberger |author2=Trevor Anderson |author3=Janine Coveney |author4=Mackenzie Cummings-Grady |author5=Kyle Denis |author6=Angel Diaz |author7=William E. Ketchum III |author8=Carl Lamarre |author9=Joe Lynch |date=2025-06-19 |title=The 75 Best R&B Artists of All Time (Full List): Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rb-singers-all-time/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |author10=Heran Mamo |author11=Gail Mitchell |author12=Michael Saponara}}</ref> Several publications and music magazines listed D'Angelo in their list of the greatest R&B and soul artists, including ''[[Forbes]]'' (2nd<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Jacqueline |date=Jul 13, 2024 |title=25 R&B Artists To Include In Your Collection |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/rnb-artists/ |access-date=October 15, 2025 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref>), [[Medium (website)|Medium]] (22nd<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowser |first=Edward |date=November 21, 2021 |title=50 Greatest R&B Artists of the Past 40 Years, Courtesy of the Soul In Stereo Cypher |url=https://medium.com/@ebowser79/50-greatest-r-b-artists-of-the-past-40-years-courtesy-of-the-soul-in-stereo-cypher-dfc45e0bdaef |access-date=October 15, 2025 |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]]}}</ref>) and [[Essence (magazine)|''Essence'']] (27th<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2020 |title=50 Most Influential RnB Stars |url=https://www.essence.com/news/50-most-influential-rnb-stars/ |access-date=October 15, 2025 |website=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] |language=en-US}}</ref>).

[[Tyler, the Creator]] said his "musical DNA" was shaped by D'Angelo's work.<ref name=":2" /> [[Chaka Khan]] called D'Angelo a "genius".<ref name="Murphy">{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Keith |date=2025-10-17 |title=D'Angelo, Neo-Soul Pioneer and 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' Singer, Dies at 51 |url=https://andscape.com/features/how-dangelo-stripped-down-music/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Andscape |language=en-US}}</ref>  George Clinton praised him as a worthy successor to soul legend Marvin Gaye.<ref name="Murphy"/>   [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] said of D'Angelo, “I crave great musicianship, and I don’t care who provides it...I’ve got no problems saying I dig D’Angelo.”<ref name="Murphy"/>  ''Rolling Stone'' said all three of D'Angelo's albums are revered as "contemporary classics".<ref name="Blistein"/>

==Personal life and death==
D'Angelo never married. In the 1990s, he dated the late soul singer [[Angie Stone]]. She was his muse for his ''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' album and he helped her produce her debut album ''[[Black Diamond (Angie Stone album)|Black Diamond]]'', released in 1999. Angie Stone and D'Angelo had a son together, Michael Archer Jr, born in 1997 (known professionally as Swayvo Twain).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra |date=2025-10-15 |title='Time ran out': D'Angelo and Angie Stone's son Michael Archer Jr. mourns his parents |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-10-15/dangelo-angie-stone-son-michael-archer-reacts-death |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> D'Angelo also had two other children: a daughter, Imani Archer, born in 1999, and a son, born in 2010.<ref name="NYTObit"/>

In the early 2000s, D'Angelo struggled with [[Major depressive disorder|depression]],<ref name=":1" /> and drug and alcohol addiction.<ref name="d'angelorip">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/soul-legend-dangelo-dead-at-51-11829410|title=Soul Legend D'Angelo, 51, Dies After Private Battle with Pancreatic Cancer|first1=Ilana|last1=Kaplan|first2=Janine|last2=Rubenstein|work=People|date=October 14, 2025|accessdate=October 14, 2025}}</ref> One notable incident occurred in 2005 when he was arrested on a [[DUI]] charge and also for possession of [[cocaine]] and [[marijuana]].<ref name="d'angelorip" /> A week after being sentenced on these charges in September 2005, he was involved in a car crash that was rumored to have left him critically injured.<ref name="d'angelorip" />

D'Angelo died from [[pancreatic cancer]] in New York City, on the morning of October 14, 2025, at the age of 51. He had been working on his fourth album with [[Raphael Saadiq]].<ref name="d'angelorip" /><ref name="NYTObit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/arts/music/dangelo-dead.html |title=D'Angelo, Acclaimed and Reclusive R&B Innovator, Dies at 51|first=Ben |last=Sisario |website=[[New York Times]] |date=October 14, 2025 |access-date=October 14, 2025}}</ref> A family member told ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' that D'Angelo had been in a hospice for two weeks, and had been hospitalized for months.<ref name="d'angelorip" /> Stone died in March 2025, only seven months before D'Angelo.<ref>{{cite news |last=Linder |first=Brian |date=October 14, 2025 |title=R&B world rocked by death of iconic singers, ex-couple in same year: 'True loss' |url=https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2025/10/rb-world-rocked-by-death-of-iconic-singers-ex-couple-in-same-year-true-loss.html |publisher=Patriot News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McBride |first=Jessica |date=October 14, 2025 |title=D'Angelo's Former Girlfriend Angie Stone Died Tragically Months Before Him |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/dangelos-former-girlfriend-angie-stone-died-tragically-months-before-him |accessdate=October 14, 2025 |publisher=Men's Journal}}</ref> Archer Jr. spoke publicly about the grief of losing both his parents within the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=October 15, 2025|title=Time ran out": D'Angelo and Angie Stone's son Michael Archer Jr. mourns his parents|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-10-15/dangelo-angie-stone-son-michael-archer-reacts-death |access-date=October 16, 2025|website=The Los Angeles Times}}</ref> 

Numerous public figures offered tributes to D'Angelo. His collaborator and hit single duet partner [[Lauryn Hill]] said, "I regret not having more time with you."<ref>{{cite news |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |date=October 14, 2025 |title=John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell react to singer D'Angelo's death at 51. 'One of one.' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/10/14/dangelo-death-reactions-jamie-foxx-maxwell/86690561007/ |accessdate=October 14, 2025 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> The song they sang together, "[[Nothing Even Matters]]", was included on President [[Barack Obama]]'s first [[Barack Obama's summer playlist|summer playlist]] in 2015; Obama expressed sadness at D'Angelo's death, saying, "[[Michelle Obama|Michelle]] and I are thinking of his family, and all those who loved and admired him."<ref>{{cite news |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=October 15, 2025 |title=Barack Obama Remembers 'One of a Kind' D'Angelo: 'He Inspired a Generation of Singers' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/barack-obama-dangelo-tribute-he-helped-shape-music-1236090272/ |accessdate=October 15, 2025 |publisher=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Actor [[Jamie Foxx]] wrote, "Your music and your impression will be felt for generations to come."<ref>{{cite news |last=McBride |first=Jessica |date=October 14, 2025 |title=Jamie Foxx, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Flea, Doja Cat and more react to the death of D'Angelo |url=https://apnews.com/article/dangelo-death-jamie-foxx-maxwell-tributes-d39d84d1f9b50b520de0893b6f583b71 |accessdate=October 14, 2025 |publisher=Men's Journal}}</ref> Musicians who paid tribute include [[Beyoncé]]; [[Tyler, the Creator]]; [[Nile Rodgers]]; [[Missy Elliott]]; [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]]; and [[Doja Cat]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Faguy |first1=Ana |last2=Savage |first2=Mark |date=2025-10-15 |title=D'Angelo, Grammy-award winning R&B singer, dies aged 51 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwynv40ly4vo |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|D'Angelo discography}}

;Studio albums
*''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]'' (1995)
*''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]'' (2000)
*''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]'' <small>(with the Vanguard)</small> (2014)

==Tours==
* Brown Sugar Tour (1996)<ref name=tours/>
* [[The Voodoo World Tour]] (2000)<ref name=tours/>
* [[Occupy Music Tour]] (2012)<ref name=tours/>
* The Liberation Tour (2012)<ref name=tours/>
* [[The Second Coming Tour (D'Angelo)|The Second Coming Tour]] (2015)<ref name=tours>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/d-angelo?page=9#concert-table|title=D'Angelo Tours & Concerts (Updated for 2025)|publisher=Concert Archives.org|accessdate=October 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
===Blockbuster Entertainment Awards===
{{award table}}
!Ref.
|-
| 2001
| Himself
| Favorite Male Artist - R&B
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1438595/destinys-child-lead-blockbuster-nominees/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726134150/http://www.mtv.com/news/1438595/destinys-child-lead-blockbuster-nominees/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 26, 2014|title=Destiny's Child Lead Blockbuster Nominees|website=MTV News|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref>
{{end}}

===Grammy Awards===
{{awards table}}
!Ref.
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[38th Annual Grammy Awards|1996]]
|| ''[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)|Brown Sugar]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Album|Best R&B Album]]
| {{nom}}
|rowspan="5"|<ref name=grammynoms>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/dangelo/1902|title=D'Angelo|accessdate=October 14, 2025|publisher=Grammy.com}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"| "[[Brown Sugar (D'Angelo song)|Brown Sugar]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|| [[39th Annual Grammy Awards|1997]]
|"[[Lady (D'Angelo song)|Lady]]"
| {{nom}}
|-
|| [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|1999]]
|"[[Nothing Even Matters]]" <small>(with [[Lauryn Hill]])</small>
|[[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[43rd Annual Grammy Awards|2001]]
|| ''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]''
| Best R&B Album
| {{won}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref name="LAT"/>
|-
|rowspan="2"| "[[Untitled (How Does It Feel)]]"
|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| Best R&B Song
| {{nom}}
|rowspan="4"|<ref name=grammynoms/>
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[45th Annual Grammy Awards|2003]]
|rowspan="2"| "Be Here" <small>(with [[Raphael Saadiq]])</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance|Best Urban/Alternative Performance]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|[[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004]]
| "I'll Stay" <small>(with [[Roy Hargrove]])</small>
| Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[58th Annual Grammy Awards|2016]]
|| ''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]''
| Best R&B Album
| {{won}}
|<ref name="LAT"/>
|-
|rowspan="2"| "[[Really Love (D'Angelo song)|Really Love]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|<ref name=grammynoms/>
|-
| Best R&B Song
| {{won}}
|<ref name="LAT"/>
|}

===MTV Europe Music Awards===
{{award table}}
!Ref.
|-
| [[1996 MTV Europe Music Awards|1996]]
| "[[Lady (D'Angelo song)|Lady]]"
| MTV Amour
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gminfopage.com/YM/ym041.htm|title=YOGMAIL - The Unofficial George Michael Mailing List --Nov. 2/96--Issue #41|website=www.gminfopage.com|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041120203037/http://www.gminfopage.com/YM/ym041.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{end}}

===Pollstar Concert Industry Awards===
{{award table}}
!Ref.
|-
| 1996
| Himself
| Best New Rap/Dance Artist Tour
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pollstarpro.com/PCIA-Static/awards1995.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320045508/http://www.pollstarpro.com/PCIA-Static/awards1995.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2017|title=Pollstar Awards Archive - 1995|date=March 20, 2017|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref>
{{end}}

===Rober Awards Music Prize===
{{award table}}
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan=2|2012
| ''[[Voodoo (D'Angelo album)|Voodoo]]''
| Best Reissue
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://roberawards.com/awards-archive/2012-rober-awards/2012-music-review/the-2012-music-poll/ |title=The Rober Awards 2012 Music Poll |publisher=Rober Awards |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429020211/https://roberawards.com/awards-archive/2012-rober-awards/2012-music-review/the-2012-music-poll/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=5|Himself
| rowspan=2|Best Live Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=5|2015
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=5|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://roberawards.com/awards-archive/2015-the-year-in-music/the-rober-awards-2015-music-poll/ |title=The Rober Awards 2015 Music Poll |publisher=Rober Awards |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201060531/https://roberawards.com/awards-archive/2015-the-year-in-music/the-rober-awards-2015-music-poll/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Best Group or Duo
| {{nom}}
|-
| Comeback of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best R&B
| {{won}}
|-
|''[[Black Messiah (album)|Black Messiah]]''
| Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
{{end}}

== See also ==
* {{annotated link|Neo soul}}
* {{annotated link|Soulquarians}}
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p68127|label=D'Angelo}}
* {{Discogs artist|artist=D'Angelo}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0195248|name=D'Angelo}}
* [http://imeem.com/dangelo D'Angelo] on [[imeem]]
*[http://www.songwriter.co.uk/a23.html D'Angelo at International Songwriters Association]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box|before = [[Blake Shelton]]|title = ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' [[List of Saturday Night Live guests|musical guest]]|years = January 31, 2015|after = [[Alabama Shakes]]}}
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{{D'Angelo}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for D'Angelo
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
}}
{{Soulquarians}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:D'Angelo}}
[[Category:D'Angelo| ]]
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[[Category:American male guitarists]]
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[[Category:American neo soul singers]]
[[Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in New York (state)]]
[[Category:EMI Records artists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Virginia]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
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[[Category:Jazz fusion musicians]]
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