D’Angelo, and the Art of Depth
D’Angelo on promotional cover of “I Found My Smile Again”
I’ve learned a lot from D’Angelo’s music. Many things. Depth through musical expression is one of them, and even how to sing. Not just with your voice, but from your inner core. Something that can’t be replicated by anyone else.
His music had the power to pull sound from places you didn’t even know were holding it. To soothe, caress, reassure, and bring you back home to yourself.
Further more, he showed us soul isn’t something you create, it’s something you uncover.
There may not be another musician that has the capability to feel like a warm hug, a deep exhale - or a smoky candle just blown out. The way D’Angelo was able to use his own voice and musicality to feel like comfort and release is something that will always be cemented into musical history for years to come. It was sensual, and sensory. He was able to shift the entire scope of R&B, and pivot us into a direction of soul, vulnerability, and connection amidst the divisiveness in Hip-Hop at the time.
D’Angelo was masculine, yet tender. Showing us how to groove, yet stand still. There was a strong duality in his persona and his talent, that pulled us into his inner world without getting too personal. Reclusive is not the word we should use when referring to him, but instead rooted and intentional with his talent.
We were so grateful to experience what he shared, and even more grateful that he shared at all.
