Popcast Remembering D’Angelo, A Classicist Who Moved Us Forward
11 snips
Oct 20, 2025 Toray, a veteran music journalist known for his insights into R&B and neo-soul, joins Joseph Patel, a journalist and documentary producer who interviewed D'Angelo. They explore D'Angelo's unique journey, discussing the groundbreaking sound of 'Brown Sugar' and the evolution in 'Voodoo.' The duo reflects on the vulnerability faced by Black artists, D'Angelo's enigmatic interview style, and his collaboration with Questlove. Memorable stories from their interviews reveal D'Angelo's brilliance, while Joseph highlights the political resonance of 'Black Messiah.'
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Distinct, Quiet Alternative To 90s R&B
- D'Angelo's three albums are distinct masterpieces that share underlying gifts and historical awareness.
- He arrived when R&B was glossy and proposed a quieter, tactile, musician-forward alternative.
In-Studio With The Sulpharians
- Toray spent time with D'Angelo during the Voodoo sessions at Electric Lady and saw them doing homework with Questlove.
- He recalls those early years as formative, showing D'Angelo absorbing and reworking musical history.
Music Made To Impress The Yodas
- "Untitled" functions as a towering statement linking D'Angelo to Prince-era epics and ambition.
- Questlove and D'Angelo aimed to impress their musical idols, which raised their creative bar.
