LOS ANGELES (AP) — Few artists of his period blurred the strains between sacred and sensual fairly like D’Angelo, who died Tuesday at 51.
Along with his unmistakable voice, deep-rooted musicianship and devotion to craft over commerce, he helped outline the sound of contemporary R&B.
This playlist, a mixture of his celebrated hits and lesser-known gems, serves as a career-spanning reflection from the sleek grooves of “Brown Sugar” to the urgency of his “Black Messiah” album.
Learn on after which hearken to all the tracks on our Spotify playlist.
1994: “U Will Know,” Black Males United (“Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack)
Earlier than superstardom, D’Angelo united a era of R&B voices for this empowering ballad from the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack.
1995: “Brown Sugar”
The music that began all of it. With its heat groove and smoky vocals, “Brown Sugar” launched D’Angelo because the face of neo-soul, bridging hip-hop rhythms with Marvin Gaye sensuality and Donny Hathaway depth.
1995: “Lady”
A clean, assured follow-up that cemented D’Angelo’s sound: lush, stay and unbothered by traits. “Lady” turned considered one of his largest radio hits and a trademark of Nineteen Nineties R&B sophistication.
1995: “Cruisin’”
His reimagining of the Smokey Robinson basic delivered pure soul nostalgia, proving early on that D’Angelo may honor custom whereas making it unmistakably his personal.
1995: “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine”
A fan favourite that captured the youthful, romantic aspect of D’Angelo’s songwriting.
1996: “I Found My Smile Again”
This joyful anthem showcased D’Angelo’s optimism and musical looseness.
1998: “Nothing Even Matters,” that includes Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo
A duet for the ages. Paired with Lauryn Hill’s velvet tone, D’Angelo helped craft one of the vital enduring love songs of the period.
1998: “Devil’s Pie”
The observe revealed his darker, extra cynical reflections on fame, greed and the trade’s ethical trade-offs. A gritty gem of hip-hop soul.
1999: “Everyday,” that includes Angie Stone and D’Angelo
Their real-life chemistry translated completely in music. Written for Stone’s debut album “Black Diamond,” the observe glows with church-born soul and unfiltered sincerity.
2000: “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”
The music — and video — that turned legend. With its minimalist instrumentation and uncooked vocal energy, “Untitled” made vulnerability sound and look revolutionary.
2000: “Send It On”
An understated masterpiece. Over gentle horns and rhythm, D’Angelo channels religion and forgiveness, reaffirming his non secular aspect amid the “Voodoo” period’s depth.
2006: “Imagine,” that includes Snoop Dogg, D’Angelo and Dr. Dre
A uncommon, star-powered collaboration that reinterprets Lennon’s anthem by a West Coast lens, proving D’Angelo’s voice nonetheless carries non secular weight in any setting.
2006: “So Far to Go,” that includes J Dilla, Frequent and D’Angelo
Soul meets spoken phrase. Over J Dilla’s hypnotic beat, D’Angelo and Frequent merge love and reflection.
2008: “Believe,” that includes Q-Tip and D’Angelo
Two artistic minds in dialog. “Believe” blends D’Angelo’s smoky chords with Q-Tip’s reflective lyricism.
2014: “Really Love,” that includes D’Angelo and The Vanguard
Lush strings, Spanish guitar and slow-burn sensuality. “Really Love” turned the centerpiece of “Black Messiah.” It’s romantic but stressed, incomes him a Grammy and a late-career triumph.
2014: “Back to the Future,” Half I and II that includes D’Angelo and The Vanguard
D’Angelo wrestles with time, temptation and reality. A meditative observe that seems like he’s speaking to each his previous and future self.
2014: “Prayer,” that includes D’Angelo and The Vanguard
A non secular plea wrapped in funk and distortion. “Prayer” feels each haunted and redemptive. It was a confessional second in his most mysterious period.
2014: “Another Life,” that includes D’Angelo and The Vanguard
A young nearer to “Black Messiah,” the music seems like a love letter from a person who’s lived, misplaced, and realized. Intimate, dreamy and devastatingly stunning.
2024: “I Want You Forever,” that includes D’Angelo, Jay-Z and Jeymes Samuel (“The Book of Clarence” soundtrack)
A cinematic finale to a storied profession. Mixing gospel grandeur with trendy swagger, it’s D’Angelo’s voice — heat, weary and clever — that anchors the message of devotion and future.
