In October of 2025, the world was met with the unfortunate news that Michael Eugene Archer, better known as D’angelo, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of fifty one. As a four time Grammy winner, D’angelo achieved great success and recognition in his music career. Despite the awards and accolades, D’angelo’s legacy is anything but superficial.
D’Angelo took up music at a young age, singing and playing piano and organ in his father’s church. As a teen, and throughout his career D’angelo idolized the music and persona of Prince and Marvin Gaye—both of whom can be clearly heard in his music and presentation. In 1995, D’angelo burst on to the 90s R and B and Neo Soul movement with his debut album, Brown Sugar, released under EMI records. The album was entirely written and performed by legendary producer Ali Shadeed Muhammed and D’angelo himself. Brown Sugar is an excellent example of D’angelo’s diverse vocal range and detailed use of layering. Additionally, the vocals are complimented by smooth organ and bass instrumentals as well as dynamic drum programming by Muhhamed. His second studio album, Voodoo, was also acclaimed, albeit for more “interesting” reasons. The album’s 12th track,“Untitled (How Does It Teel)”, features D’angelo standing naked while making what some may call “suggestive” gestures. This spurred the interest of many young women. Nonetheless, the album is highly regarded for its musicality in the present. In the early 2000’s D’angelo involved himself with the RH Factor, a jazz-fusion band founded by the late jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove. D’angelo features on one track (I’ll Stay) on the RH Factor’s debut album, Hard Groove and on “Bullsh**” on the group’s third studio album, Distractions.
Throughout his career, D’Angelo struggled with writer’s block and addiction. His third studio album, Black Messiah, was released nearly 14 years after Voodoo. Black Messiah features a more experimental and rock inspired sound as opposed to the soulful and laidback vibe of his earlier albums. Nonetheless, D’angelo’s gospel and soul influences are present through its entirety.
With his unique blend of jazz and RnB influences, D’angelo cemented himself as an icon in the Black American musical tradition. His music has inspired many present day jazz and hip hop artists such as Bilal, Robert Glasper, and Kamasi Washington who are perhaps most well known for their instrumental work on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. If you are a fan of 90s hip hop, RnB, Jazz, or Black American Music in general, I highly recommend that you give D’angelo’s discography a listen.
If you are interested in hearing a professional musician’s perspective on D’angelo, Jazz drummer and vibraphonist and member of the renowned Marsalis family, Jason Marsalis released a video discussing his experiences with D’angelo’s music during the time of D’angelo’s passing.
