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Few artists of his era blurred the lines between the sacred and the sensual like D’Angelo, who died Tuesday at the age of 51.
With his unmistakable voice, deep musical roots, and dedication to craft rather than commerce, he helped define the sound of modern R&B.
This playlist, a mix of his best-known hits and lesser-known gems, serves as a career-spanning reflection of his past, from the smooth groove of “Brown Sugar” to the urgency of his “Black Messiah” album.
Read on and then listen to all the tracks on our Spotify playlist.
1994: “You Will Know,” Black Men United (“Jason Lyric” soundtrack)
Before superstardom, D’Angelo united a generation of R&B voices for this powerful song from the “Jason Lyric” soundtrack.
1995: “Brown Sugar”
The song that started it all. With its warm groove and smoky vocals, “Brown Sugar” introduced D’Angelo as the face of neo-soul, combining hip-hop rhythms. Marvin Gaye The sensuality and depth of Donny Hathaway.
1995: “Lady”
A smooth, confident follow-up that solidified D’Angelo’s sound: lush, vibrant and unaffected by trends. “Lady” became one of their biggest radio hits and became a hallmark of 1990s R&B sophistication.
1995: “Cruisin'”
their reimagining of smokey robinson The classic evoked pure soul nostalgia, and proved early on that D’Angelo could respect tradition and make it completely his own.
1995: “Me and those dreaming eyes of mine”
A fan favorite that reflected the youthful, romantic side of D’Angelo’s songwriting.
1996: “I Got My Smile Again”
This joyous anthem showcased D’Angelo’s optimism and musical looseness.
1998: “Nothing Even Matters,” featuring lauryn hill and d’angelo
A duet for the ages. With the velvety vocals of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo helped craft one of the most enduring love songs of the era.
1998: “Devil’s Pie”
The track highlighted his darker, more candid thoughts on fame, greed, and the ethical trade-offs of the industry. A gritty gem of hip-hop soul.
1999: “Everyday,” featuring Angie Stone and D’Angelo
Their real-life chemistry translates perfectly into the song. Written for Stone’s debut album “Black Diamond,” the track shines with church-born soul and unfiltered honesty.
2000: “Untitled (How It Feels)”
The song – and the video – that became legend. With its minimal instrumentals and raw vocal power, “Untitled” made vulnerability sonic and revolutionary.
2000: “Send It”
A brief work. With soft horns and rhythm, D’Angelo channeled faith and forgiveness, affirming his spiritual side amid the intensity of the “Voodoo” era.
2006: “Imagine,” featuring snoop doggD’Angelo and Dr. Dre
A rare, star-driven collaboration that reinterprets Lennon’s anthem through a West Coast lens, proving that D’Angelo’s voice still holds spiritual significance in any setting.
2006: “So Far to Go,” featuring J Dilla, Common and D’Angelo
The soul comes from the spoken word. Over J Dilla’s hypnotic beat, D’Angelo and Common merge love and reflection.
2008: “Believe”, featuring Q-Tip and D’Angelo
Two creative minds conversing. “Believe” blends D’Angelo’s hazy melodies with Q-Tip’s reflective lyricism.
2014: “Really Love,” featuring D’Angelo and The Vanguard
Lush strings, Spanish guitar and slow-burn sensuality. “Really Love” became the centerpiece of “Black Messiah”. It’s the romantic yet unsettling take that earns him grammy And late career wins.
2014: “Back to the Future,” Parts I and II featuring D’Angelo and The Vanguard
D’Angelo grapples with time, temptation, and truth. A meditative track that feels like it’s speaking to both its past and its future.
2014: “Prayer,” featuring D’Angelo and The Vanguard
A spiritual plea wrapped in stench and distortion. “Prayer” feels both haunting and liberating. It was a confession of his most mysterious age.
2014: “Another Life,” featuring D’Angelo and The Vanguard
On closer “Black Messiah,” this song feels like a love letter from a man who has lived, lost, and learned. Intimate, dreamy and absolutely beautiful.
2024: “I Want You Forever,” featuring D’Angelo, Jay-Z and James Samuel (“The Book of Clarence” soundtrack).
A cinematic finale to a historic career. Blending gospel grandeur with modern swagger, it’s D’Angelo’s voice – warm, weary and wise – that delivers a message of devotion and destiny.