Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 14h

Always loved this demo/rendition of "Africa", a song dedicated to/inspired by the birth of D'Angelo's firstborn son.

D'Angelo - Africa (Demo)

YouTube video by Music For Listening

www.youtube.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 16h

And I totally forgot about Verzuz! People were doing theee most. To be barked/yelled at and demanded to do the thing that makes everyone but you comfortable is always going to take a toll. I loved that in some ways, he reclaimed the stage on his own terms. I hope he was proud of how he did that.

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 16h

The first time he performed on TV in years, he did a song no one knew yet. Then, on his Second Coming tour, he only did that song on piano. Any appearances he did? Didn't do that song. I remember someone barking at him at Afro Punk for not doing any old songs. The impact is really understated.

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 16h

thesource.com/2025/10/14/d...

D’Angelo’s Son Michael Speaks Out After His Father’s Death at 51

D’Angelo’s son, Michael Archer II, shared a heartfelt statement following his father’s death at 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer.

thesource.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 16h

It's interesting that there isn't a lot of reflection/responsibility taken regarding even the way he was discussed in media vs. how he spoke about his experiences. It's like the belief is that it was very insular and not widespread. The video title is how the news today has been breaking too.

1 2

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 16h

Yes. IIRC, D discussed in more detail his relationship to those experiences with Tavis Smiley (I know, I know) + how terrible it was to not be appreciated for his musicianship. And this context is often missing from discussions about his later music, live performances (the absence of that song) etc.

1 2

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 17h

The thing that always gets me is that I love the live versions of his songs...and I can hear exactly what he is describing here *in* those live versions. I think people forget as well that he was freshly in his 20s during that time.

1 1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 17h

2013: This genius and his incredible band incorporated "A Night in Tunisia" in "Smooth" and then transitioned into "Spanish Joint". Got my entire life that night! It was everything.

D'ANGELO IN TORONTO @ THE SOUND ACADEMY "SMOOTH"

YouTube video by WAYNE BAILEY (PHOBYBAI)

www.youtube.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 17h

One of my favourite, favourite live versions of Untitled. That beautifully held note after the bridge? Swoon.

D'Angelo - Untitled (How Does It Feel?) (Live @ The Cirkus, Stockholm, 8.7.00)

YouTube video by Peter Thomas Ricci

www.youtube.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 18h

Love, LOVE this remix. D & Dilla were always a force together.

D'Angelo - Me & Those Dreaming Eyes Of Mine (Jay Dee Remix)

YouTube video by o Ryo

www.youtube.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 18h

I know everyone in the/adjacent to the Soulquarians is mourning this huge loss. My heart hurts for all of them, especially b/c they all lost Dilla so young as well.

1

Reposted by Jean B.

tru @thetrudz.photo · 19h

What D’Angelo said Black Messiah means. It came out at the end of 2014 and it was so needed.

Article (Nolan Feeney; TIME) excerpt reads: “Black Messiah is a hell of a name for an album. It can be misunderstood. Many will think it's about religion. Some will jump to the conclusion that I'm calling myself a Black Messiah. For me, the title is about all of us. It's about the world. It's about an idea we can all aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah.

It's about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and in every place where a community has had enough and decides to make change happen, D'Angelo writes in a statement about the album It's not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them. Not every song on this album is politically charged (though many are), but calling this album Black Messiah creates a landscape there these songs can live to the fullest. Black Messiah is not one man. It's a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader.”

“D’Angelo’s First Album in 14 Years Is Finally Here, and It’s Surprisingly Timely” via TIME.

2 440 1.2K

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

Same. I had this song on repeat when it dropped. Hauntingly beautiful words + arrangement.

1 2

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

This song has been a guiding light for me in so many ways. A perfect song on a perfect album.

D'Angelo and The Vanguard - Betray My Heart (Audio)

YouTube video by DAngeloVEVO

www.youtube.com

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

The Black Messiah and To Pimp A Butterfly coming out months apart was magic. They've always been sonically, musically and spiritually in conversation to me.

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

D'Angelo - One Mo' Gin (Live)

(This version makes me so emotional)

D'Angelo - One Mo' Gin, live in Paris (2012)

YouTube video by Soultube

www.youtube.com

1 5 10

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

D'Angelo - Shit, Damn, Motherfucker (Live)

(If you thought the song was haunting already...)

D'Angelo "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" Live au Zénith de Paris 2012

YouTube video by FunkUmagazine

www.youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

D'Angelo - I've Been Watching You (Live)

(My goodness)

D'Angelo "I've Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body)" Live @ Paradiso 10.02.2012

YouTube video by FunkUmagazine

www.youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

D'Angelo Playlist: Voodoo Outtakes (including Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Soliloquy of Chaos, Funky Drummer etc.)

D'Angelo- Everybody Loves The Sunshine

YouTube video by Sweetheart504

www.youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

MJB + D'Angelo (w/ Angie on the backgrounds) - Paradise

Mary J. Blige feat. D'Angelo- Paradise

YouTube video by Sweetheart504

www.youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 19h

A few deep cuts + YT classics:

Vertical Hold (R.I.P. Angie Stone) + D on the keys - Pray

Pray

YouTube video by Vertical Hold - Topic

youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 20h

D'Angelo didn't do a lot of interviews but one of my favourite ones was the one he did with Red Bull Music Academy. He talks about his origins, his connection to funk and soul, his friendship with Questlove + his feelings on the neo-soul moniker.

"I make Black music."

Watch:

D'Angelo on Questlove, Neo-soul and Voodoo | Red Bull Music Academy

YouTube video by Red Bull Music Academy

www.youtube.com

1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 20h

And his music is already a blessing in my life. My memory of him is too. Lucky to have seen him in concert right before Black Messiah dropped. A giant in music and culture forever.

1 1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 20h

Thinking about the space between Voodoo and Black Messiah, and how the outtakes, leaks, acoustic versions and uploads online of entire concerts kept us hoping for the day that would be the release date of the latter album. It didn't feel like he left because those sounds sustained me.

2 1

Jean B. @jeanbfromtoronto.bsky.social · 20h

(Easy for me; I'm in complete disbelief 😞.)

1