Luminaries from throughout the music world are paying tribute to R&B icon D’Angelo, who died yesterday (Oct. 14) at the age of 51 after battling prostate cancer. The artist had played only two proper concerts since 2016 but was reportedly deep into working on a new album.
”We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry,” Beyoncé wrote. “You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever. We will never forget you.”
“Rest peacefully, D’Angelo,” said Missy Elliott. “No parent want to see their children go but it’s painful for children to see their parents go too, so send prayers up for his son, who also lost his mom this year, for strength.” The mother of D’Angelo’s son, Angie Stone, died in a car crash in March.
Tyler, the Creator relayed a story about spending $20 given to him for his ninth birthday on a copy of D’Angelo’s acclaimed 2000 album Voodoo at South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, Ca. “I had no idea that would help shape my musical DNA,” he said. “The amount of raps I’ve wrote to ‘Botty’ on the front porch that year, the amount of times I’ve tried to mimic vocal phrasing from ‘Send It On,’ the scratches the disc ended up with from repeating ‘The Root’ … too many. I am so lucky to have gotten my copy of Voodoo when i did. We are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art.”
“My friend Gary Harris brought this musician named D’Angelo over to my NYC apartment,” recalled Nile Rodgers. “He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he’d brought with him. I listened to every cut — not just out of respect but because it was smoking. At the end of the encounter he asked me, ‘what should I do with it?’ I remember this as if it were yesterday. I said, ‘put it out. It’s perfect!’ Being the artist he is, I guess he had to explore some ways to make it better. About a year later I heard one of those songs on the radio. It was genius was exactly what he had played for me. I know — I still have the original cassette.”
“One of my all time favorites whose records I went to again and again,” said Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. “No one did anything funkier over the last 30 years. I never knew him but humbled myself before his music. What a rare and beautiful voice and an inimitable approach to songwriting. What a musician!!! He changed the course of popular music. Fly free with the angels, D’Angelo. We will listen to you forever and always be moved. I drop to my knees and pray.”
“Rest in peace, D’Angelo,” opined Doja Cat. “My thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends. A true voice of soul and inspiration to many brilliant artists of our generation and generations to come.”
“I never met D’Angelo but I love him, respect him, admire his gift,” wrote Jill Scott. “This loss HURTS!! Love to my family that are family to him. I’m so sorry. R.I.P. GENIUS.”
