Music World Reflects on D’Angelo’s Impact
The music community mourns the loss of D’Angelo, the maverick R&B singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who died of cancer at 51. As tributes poured in across social media, fellow artists from across genres remembered his artistry, influence, and the personal connections that shaped their own work.
Friends and Collaborators Share Personal Remembrances
Legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers recalled the moment he first met D’Angelo and the magic he heard in the music from that initial listen. Rodgers described how the artist asked him what to do with the material, and urged him to release it. He later heard one of those tracks on the radio, calling it genius and noting that the moment had come to pass just as he had predicted. Rodgers also treasures a cassette of that original session, a tangible link to D’Angelo’s early vision.
Bootsy Collins joined the chorus of tributes on social media, expressing heartbreak at the loss of a friend, creator, and legend. Collins offered prayers to D’Angelo’s family and friends, emphasizing the profound impact of the musician on those who knew him.
Missy Elliott spoke with a mix of sorrow and admiration, acknowledging the painful nature of loss for his family and the broader community of artists who looked up to him as a source of inspiration.
Generational Influences and Personal Narratives
Tyler, the Creator offered a lengthy, deeply personal homage that traced the arc of his own musical development to D’Angelo’s breakthroughs. He recalled his first encounters with D’Angelo’s albums, describing how records like Brown Sugar and Voodoo became touchstones that helped shape his own artistic voice. The tribute highlighted the ways in which D’Angelo’s groove, lyrical honesty, and distinctive vocal phrasing influenced a generation of musicians who learned to blend soulful warmth with experimental edge.
Bartees Strange, Jill Scott, Aminé, and Doja Cat added their voices to a chorus of grief and respect. Doja Cat expressed sympathy for D’Angelo’s family, while Aminé reflected on how hearing D’Angelo in his youth altered his life’s trajectory. Jill Scott, though she never met him personally, conveyed a palpable sense of loss and admiration for D’Angelo’s genius, and offered condolences to his family and close ones.
Rappers, DJs, and Singers Remember a “Genius”
Erick Sermon, DJ Premier, and other peers paid homage to D’Angelo’s singular contribution to music. The consensus among many tributes is that D’Angelo’s artistry—“a genius,” a “savant,” and a pivotal torchbearer in contemporary R&B—shaped the work of artists who followed. Some commenters noted that his reclusive approach perhaps limited public recognition, even as his influence remained undeniable in studio and stage alike.
As tributes continued, many highlighted the emotional and sonic resonance of D’Angelo’s catalog, from the sultry sway of his basslines to the intimate storytelling embedded in his vocals. The outpouring underscores a common truth: D’Angelo did not merely release songs; he crafted experiences that altered the listening habits of fans and peers for years to come.
A Lasting Legacy
In remembering D’Angelo, artists from across the spectrum—hip-hop, soul, and beyond—pay homage to a musician who expanded the possibilities of modern R&B. The conversations around his work—whether through rope-tight collaborations or the personal journeys of listeners—reaffirm his status as a key figure whose influence continues to echo in the work of artists today. The collective voice of the music community reminds fans that D’Angelo’s art will endure, inviting new generations to explore the depth and breadth of his groundbreaking sound.
