Lady (1995)
When D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar dropped in 1995, it changed the sound of R&B. With Lady, the young artist blended the sensual smoothness of Marvin and Stevie with the swagger of hip-hop. This slow-burning groove celebrated love after the chase, where passion met privacy over a deep, bass-heavy rhythm. It wasn’t just another love song — it was the birth of neo-soul, where romance became art and rhythm became poetry.
Higher (1995)
Closing Brown Sugar with divine fire, Higher fused gospel reverence with seductive soul. D’Angelo turned spiritual yearning into cosmic devotion, soaring with his falsetto over a Hammond B3 organ. It was part Sunday sermon, part love confession, and all heart. In an era ruled by hip-hop beats, D’Angelo reminded listeners of the unmatched power of the Black male voice — raw, emotional, and transcendent.
Devil’s Pie (2000)
From Voodoo, Devil’s Pie was D’Angelo’s sermon for a lost generation. With pounding drums and haunting harmonies, he dissected greed, lust, and the temptations of fame: “Ain’t no justice, it’s just us.” Inspired by the sound of chain gangs and the pain of slavery, the track felt like a warning and a reckoning — a blues song for a world consumed by materialism.
Untitled (How Does It Feel) (2000)
One of the most sensual songs ever recorded, Untitled is both homage and evolution of Prince’s erotic genius. While the video became iconic, it’s the song’s slow, deliberate build — the way it invites surrender — that lingers. D’Angelo crafted an experience of pure intimacy, turning sound into touch and passion into prayer.
Africa (2000)
Written for his son with Angie Stone, Africa is D’Angelo’s tender love letter to heritage, fatherhood, and hope. Over Questlove’s gentle percussion, he reflects on ancestry and identity — “Africa is my descent” — weaving personal love with cultural pride. The song feels like sunlight after rain: calm, wise, and full of grace.
Ain’t That Easy (2014)
When Black Messiah arrived after 14 years of silence, it opened with Ain’t That Easy, a storm of bass and emotion. On the surface, it’s a plea to a lover. Beneath, it’s a metaphor for resilience — for a community refusing abandonment. D’Angelo’s voice echoed Baldwin’s call for unity and survival: love as revolution, connection as salvation.
The Charade (2014)
This is Black Messiah’s battle cry. With echoes of Prince, Hendrix, and Sly Stone, The Charade exploded with political fire. “All we wanted was a chance to talk,” he sang, confronting the pain of racial violence and systemic injustice. The live performance on SNL became legendary — a furious, soulful response to America’s unrest.
Really Love (2014)
On Really Love, D’Angelo returned to his romantic roots, layering Spanish monologues, strings, and sultry guitar riffs into a cinematic plea for reconciliation. It’s a love story painted in color and motion — dramatic, playful, and deeply human. A reminder that, even in his political fury, D’Angelo never stopped being love’s most devoted student.
Prayer (2014)
Instead of an anthem, D’Angelo gave us Prayer — a slow, funk-soaked spiritual. Blending P-Funk, gospel, and blues, he turned resistance into rhythm. With lines like “You got to pray all the way,” the song became a meditative march for endurance. It’s not just music — it’s faith embodied in groove.
Lauryn Hill – Nothing Even Matters (ft. D’Angelo) (1998)
Two voices, one moment of quiet perfection. In this duet from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo and Hill build a sanctuary of sound where nothing else exists. Their harmonies breathe intimacy — soft, slow, and unguarded. It’s love stripped of spectacle, wrapped in peace.
Bonus Tracks — The Soul of D’Angelo, Reimagined:
- Cruisin’ (Smokey Robinson cover)
- Water No Get Enemy (with Femi Kuti, Macy Gray & others)
- Can’t Hide Love (Earth, Wind & Fire cover, Live at the Jazz Cafe)
- She’s Always in My Hair (Prince cover)
- Sometimes It Snows in April (with Princess)
- Your Precious Love (with Erykah Badu – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell cover)
And one more essential listen:
Roman GianArthur’s OK Lady — a stunning mashup EP that merges the worlds of Radiohead and D’Angelo, proving how timeless and borderless his sound truly is.