To D’Angelo, Love Always, Okayplayer

For some people of a certain generation, Michael Eugene Archer was what Marvin and Teddy were to their parents. For this writer in particular, D’Angelo was this distinctively warm and calming presence, the gentle and comforting embrace of nag champa and cedarwood that I didn’t know I needed each time I entered my oldest sister’s former apartment in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. Sandwiched in between the ruggedly smooth hip-hop soul of the early ’90s and the shiny suit pop-R&B jams of the late ’90s, D’Angelo was equal parts harmonious and hood, with an uncanny ability to convey and invoke every single emotion to and from his listeners. He was a cornrowed multihyphenate, who mused about his crush’s dreamy eyes one moment before serenading his dub sack the next, all the while effortlessly shifting between hip-hop, gospel, funk, and soul.

A child prodigy who grew up to become an unwitting heartthrob, a recluse who inspired and influenced millions. He would disappear for years on end, yet still commanded attention as if time itself had paused just to let him catch up, with his silence only deepening the legend. Despite releasing three proper studio albums in 19 years, D’Angelo took listeners through the highest of loves and hardest of struggles, leaving everyone with an indelible blueprint to how music should sound, feel, and be. As we here at Okayplayer continue to celebrate and honor the life, times, and legacy of D’Angelo, we asked several icons in their own right to share their thoughts on his impact.

Jazmine Sullivan: D’Angelo was a revolutionary artist and a huge influence to me personally. I listened to the Voodoo album almost every day! Every time I’d listen, I’d find something new to appreciate because he was king of layering vocals. I can say he helped shape the way I interpret and create music to this day! I’m saddened by the loss of such a uniquely gifted artist, but so grateful for his life and contribution to me and the world through his music! May God bless his family and may he rest in peace!

9th Wonder: The sound of a generation, before D came along it was [just] R&B groups dressing alike. The music wasn't as warm [until] he came along and totally shifted the game, 20 years after [Stevie Wonder’s] Songs in the Key of Life [did the same]. Like, it was just one dude, one Wurlitzer, a leather coat, and some cigarettes. It just totally changed everything we thought we knew about soul music. Before he was even labeled “Neo-Soul,” it was just a culture shift. It wasn't a dress, it wasn't a brand yet. He was just doing what he felt and what he felt he needed to do. You can hear the church in him, and being raised in the church and understanding what those vibes were, that was D'Angelo. It's amazing to say that in 30 years, he recorded only three studio albums. And even crazier to say, his last studio album, the last song on there was track 12, "Another Life." So Rest in Peace, bro. 

India.Arie: You can't see the miracle while it's happening. 

Trying to wrap my mind around why this one hits so hard.

Yes, he was too young. Yes, it was too sudden — for us. But for me, this one feels haunting. And I’ve been asking myself why.

I only met D’Angelo once, but some people just feel like YOUR people. Born of the same generation, we shared so many of the same artistic, cultural, and even business influences. I, too, was signed by Kedar Massenburg (though as an artist on Motown, while D’Angelo was managed by him for a time). We were born about 18 months apart.

In the months before his transition (what I consider a graduation) from this Earth plane, I found myself talking quite often about how Brown Sugar was actually one of my favorite albums. How did I miss that? It had become such a natural part of my life that I had to listen back — as a non-musician, as just a fan — to recognize the truth: that this body of work spoke to me in the language I understand in my blood and bones. 

This May, as we gathered for Memorial Day — 30 years after its release — I played Brown Sugar with my 11-year-old niece. And THIS time, I heard D’Angelo through the lens of music history.

'Oh… this is a classic American soul musician.' 

I know — duh, right? But sincerely, it took that distance for me to really see it. As the saying goes, 'You can’t see the miracle while you’re inside it.'

And now, with the final page of his story written, I’m haunted by the realization of the torch and burden he carried. We’ve seen this story, down the decades, with some of our most gifted. 

A gifted, gentle spirit who carries a certain heaviness out of the church. A sometimes tortured soul who gave music earnestly, because there was no alternate path. A man who struggled to stand in the spotlight and hid from it when he needed to heal. A poet who self-medicated… because at his core, he was that sensitive artist from the church. 

It turns out, in music AND life, he belonged to that fraternity — Marvin, Donny, Sam, Prince, and a few other sacred souls — the ones whose brilliance burned bright… and burned out too soon.

This one hits different.

This one haunts me. 

Kem: My brother D'Angelo was a pioneer — an artist's artist, and a musician's musician. We all marveled at his legendary artistry and his wide-ranging genius. His textured vocals left an indelible mark on my own musical journey. He will be deeply, deeply missed.

Raheem DeVaughn: As artists, we all stand on the shoulders of giants, and D’Angelo was a pioneer. He didn’t just influence a genre — he helped create one. As one of the architects of neo-soul, he gave us permission to merge sensuality with spirituality, rebellion with romance, tradition with innovation. Today we mourn his physical presence, but his spirit will forever flow through the DNA of Black music. May we honor him not through imitation, but through fearless intention.

DJ Aktive: D’Angelo redefined what soul music meant for our generation. His voice, his energy, and his artistry touched people in ways that still shape the sound today. His legacy will always inspire DJs, musicians, and music lovers everywhere.

Kevin Ross: D'Angelo was a brilliant pioneer for the landscape of modern music. His musicianship and fearlessness were one of one. I just hope he felt how appreciated he was while he was here. My prayers go out to his children, family and friends.

Elijah Blake: The world received some pretty messed-up news [on Oct. 15] about the passing of one of the most legendary musical figures in the history of music, D'Angelo. In particular, my project, Audiology, comes to mind. And I just remember that whole time, that whole creative process, I lived and breathed everything D'Angelo. From the instrumentation, how amazing of a musician he was, his approach to his vocal delivery, the layering of his harmonies. Man, what a talent that would be missed. I think the world lost one of the most creative pillars ever, and I'm excited to see how we honor him. Much love, D'Angelo. Rest in peace, man. You've affected so many of us as artists, lovers of R&B, your listeners, your peers, everyone.