When someone mentions R&B, artists like Brent Faiyaz and Daniel Caesar come to mind. The modern era of the genre has undergone numerous changes and revolutions since its inception, giving rise to subgenres such as neo-soul and alternative R&B.
Neo-soul in particular encompasses a diverse range of popular artists, including Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. It combines aspects of funk, jazz fusion, hip-hop, and rock to create a distinct sound.
One of the most influential figures in neo-soul is the musical artist Michael Eugene Archer, more commonly known as D’Angelo. In fact, his album titled “Brown Sugar” is widely considered to be the start of the genre’s movement.
D’Angelo recently passed away due to a drawn-out battle with pancreatic cancer. This news came out after he canceled a show he was supposed to perform earlier in the year due to medical reasons.
“His death really upsets me,” comments Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) junior Laura Cervantes. “I feel like I can hear his influence whenever I listen to other R&B artists.”
Instead of mourning the loss, fans can appreciate his tremendous contributions to the R&B scene as a whole. He started with a 1994 single, “U Will Know,” composing the music himself while his brother made the lyrics. The song peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, which contributed to the growing popularity of D’Angelo with fans and the industry itself.
His first album Brown Sugar was not an immediate success; instead, it slowly gained momentum before skyrocketing in popularity. The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sat near the top for 65 weeks. It has sold over 1.5 million copies and is certified platinum.
This album was the start of the late 90s neo-soul movement and paved the way for D’Angelo as a musician. It also set up his next album, which was said to be one of the best neo-soul albums of all time and is ranked 28th on Rolling Stone’s top 500 greatest albums of all time.
Voodoo, in contrast to his debut album, was an instant hit. Many music critics called it a “masterpiece,” and he won an Emmy award for the album. He also made Black Messiah and Unshaken, an album and video game soundtrack.
“His music is really amazing,” states junior Martin Petkov. “It’s a real shame that he passed away at such a young age.”
While his life was filled with personal battles and turmoil, D’Angelo is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the modern age. He still lives on in every artist who makes neo-soul, contributing greatly to the genre.
