The world lost a musical beacon with the passing of D’Angelo – a visionary artist whose sound helped define the Neo-Soul movement of the late ’90s. With a rare blend of gospel-infused vocals, funk rhythms, and hip-hop sensibilities, D’Angelo reimagined soul music for a new generation.
As his artistry deepened, so did his yearning to reconnect with his African musical roots. That connection came into sharp focus on Voodoo’s closing track, “Africa,” where he sang with quiet conviction: “Africa is my descent, here I’m far from home.”
On stage, this sentiment became ritual. The Voodoo tour often began with the echo of African chants and tribal percussion – a spiritual invocation before the groove took hold, grounding his performances in ancestry as much as in rhythm.
D’Angelo’s bond with the continent wasn’t merely symbolic. He joined forces with Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti for the acclaimed charity compilation Red Hot + Riot: The Music & Spirit of Fela Kuti, contributing a stunning rendition of Fela’s “Water No Get Enemy.”
The session brought together an extraordinary ensemble. D’Angelo on vocals and piano, Femi Kuti on saxophone, Macy Gray on additional vocals, and members of The Soultronics, including Pino Palladino, Questlove, and the late Roy Hargrove. The result was more than a cover; it was a soulful exchange between Africa and its diasporic children.
Moments like these revealed D’Angelo’s profound appreciation for African music as a living lineage to honour and reinterpret. Rest in peace to a legend who reminded the world that soul, at its core, is a return to where it all began.