Reflecting on a Classic: ‘Voodoo’ by D’Angelo (25 Year Anniversary)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The first month into the new millennium, R&B prodigy D’Angelo dropped his long-awaited sophomore album ‘Voodoo’. In the last twenty-five years music fans have had to enjoy it, it’s his most celebrated and culturally important release. This seminal release sees the young Virginian bear the responsibility of bringing R&B back to its roots. It’s jazzy, soulful, funky, and spiritual. Put simply, it’s a passionate and experimental classic that stands the test of time.

Impact on R&B, Music, and Culture

This LP was pivotal for the ‘Neo-soul’ genre taking shape at the time. The genre was perceived as a counter-attack to the club-curated, pop-driven R&B sound that dominated the 90s. The Neo-soul movement saw artists like Common, Talib Kweli, Raphael Saadiq, and Erykah Badu rise to household name status. D’Angelo was the leader of this ever-rotating talented crew, ‘The Soulquarians‘, making thoughtful, and progressive music that prioritised live instrumentation above all else.

In the making of ‘Voodoo‘, he had two legendary co-pilots by his side – Questlove (of The Roots) and J Dilla. They set up camp at Electric Lady Studios, building an experimental haven for Black creatives to hang out. It’s here that the crew would sit for hours studying trailblazers like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Prince.

Production and Themes

‘Voodoo‘ focuses heavily on relationships, self-preservation, and healing. Whilst his label undoubtedly pushed him to make a quick follow-up to his 1995 debut, the ever-passionate and perfectionist D’Angelo took his sweet time. He even committed to recording the album on tape, leaving no room for re-recording if he messed up. This results in a warm, intimate sound that cannot be captured by today’s digital recordings. Even after many listens, these tracks feel like a warm hug to me. They capture an off-the-cuff energy you only hear in older music.

The production across the record is avant-garde at the best of times. Drums lag behind, random instrumentation gets fused into often overlapping vocals coming from all directions. It can be a confusing and chaotic listen and is so different from the digitally perfected music of today. The whole record feels like one big anticipation and that’s what makes it stand the test of time.

Admittedly, the music is such smooth, laid-back listening at times that the lyrics can get overlooked. Though the lyrics often do take a back seat in D’Angelo’s work, some of my favourite tracks hear him riffing on deeper issues. ‘Devil’s Pie‘ in particular sees him highlight the materialism and excess tarnishing his community. He openly admits he is not immune to temptation either. This song is a cry for help as much as it is understanding the bad choices humanity can make. The DJ Premier produced track was so resonant with drug-dealing street life that Hype Williams selected it for his movie ‘Belly‘.

The Impact on D’Angelo

This album was a tonal shift from his first LP ‘Brown Sugar‘. Many of his collaborators speak of D’Angelo’s hyper-intense vision for his sophomore effort. He knew he wanted to be naked and in enviable shape on the album cover, often stopping between recording sessions to work out in the next room. This, along with his steamy music video for his most successful single ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)‘ made him into an overnight sex symbol. I’m the first to admit his sex appeal, but I hate how this often overshadows this whole project and his artistry. He felt similarly, he resented being objectified and struggled to control screaming women at his shows.

This is the jewel in the crown of his musical releases. It debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart and won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. It went platinum within two months of release and has been featured on numerous lists of the best albums ever. His single ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ is one of those songs that outsizes the artist in commercial appeal and replay value. This really is his magnum opus and houses the D’Angelo tracks that I treasure most. 

This multi-talented musician is your favourite artist’s favourite artist, and his anti-mainstream agenda inspired a variety of talents that may not be glaringly obvious at first. I’d argue we wouldn’t have an Odd Future, Kendrick Lamar, or Thundercat without his work. His push-back to the hyper-masculine glitter and glam R&B vibe of the time was pivotal. Even the title ‘Voodoo‘ is a nod to connecting with spiritual African traditions, power, and ancestry through music. He was purposefully steering R&B back to a more ‘authentic’ place.

Best Tracks

Playa Playa

This song is all swagger and ego but wrapped in the funkiest, smoothest delivery ever. The first track of the project lets the listener know that D’Angelo and his crew did not come to play. They are the number one players, the crème de la crème at what they do. Don’t like it? Step aside.

The Line

Vulnerability is the cornerstone of creative breakthroughs, and D’Angelo showcases this here. This song sees him being honest with the pressures of success. The meaning of this song could be interpreted in a lot of ways as he discusses laying it all on the line. For what, one may ask? A lover, his career, money, power, or spiritual growth? He’s got his finger on the trigger, but who is he pointing this metaphorical gun to – his haters or himself? 

Send It On

Dedicated to his newborn son, this song is a celebration of love, life, and faithfulness. He took a sample from a Kool & The Gang hit (‘Sea Of Tranquility‘) and turned it into a song fit for a wedding. This is one of my favourite feel-good love songs.

Feel Like Makin’ Love

His cover of this 1970s Roberta Flack hit is embedded in R&B history. If you love this, give the live version a listen from his 2013 ‘Live In Stockholm‘ album for a fresh spin on the classic.

Fun Facts

• D’Angelo’s long-time partner at the time, and mother of his son, is none other than R&B songstress Angie Stone. She claims their son’s arrival sparked a new energy in D’Angelo to make this album. Stone’s influence is all across ‘Voodoo‘ – she wrote four songs for it!
• ‘Playa Playa‘ isn’t about being a player in the streets. Believe it or not, D’Angelo is referencing basketball players here. This record was created for the ‘Space Jam‘ movie soundtrack.
• ‘Things Fall Apart‘ (The Roots), ‘Mama’s Gun‘ (Erykah Badu), and ‘Like Water for Chocolate‘ (Common) are three classic projects in their own right which were all recorded at the same time and place as ‘Voodoo‘. These albums sonically sync. Have a go at listening to some of these albums back to back to get what I mean.

Final thoughts

I saw a great comment online when researching this project that said that for people of a certain age, this album must’ve felt like a big musical shift. However, for people my age (early-mid twenties) I have never known a time before this project. I grew up with the Neo-soul sound and felt comforted by it. This release in particular makes you feel like you’re ‘right there’ with this group of soul-searching musicians, just trying to figure it all out. This sort of music that is completely innovative and instinctual is inspiring. I think if you are a musician, R&B fan or not, you should give it a listen to get inspired to go against the grain. 

D’Angelo is on Instagram and X. Read more anniversary pieces here and stream the album below.

About The Author