Gavin Vondercrone
Editor-In-Chief
On Tuesday, Oct. 14 2025, the music world was saddened with the news that former singer, songwriter and producer Michael Archer, also known as D’Angelo, had passed away at the age of 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer.
D’Angelo’s impact on music simply cannot be understated. In 1995, he broke the norms of the R&B genre, introducing a raw, gritty, yet delicate, sound on his debut album “Brown Sugar.”
The R&B legend is also often viewed as one of the pioneers of the Neo-Soul genre. His sophomore album, “Voodoo,” is widely regarded as a benchmark in the world of music due to its lengthy, ambitious track list which managed to successfully combine elements of jazz, hip-hop and soul all into one project.
D’Angelo’s influence can be found in numerous different artists and genres of the modern day. Musician’s such as Tyler, The Creator, Beyonce, and Lauryn Hill all paid tribute to the life he lived and his contributions to music following his passing.
While he may no longer be here in person, D’Angelo’s legacy lives on through the brilliant works he left behind. Whether it be his own music or his collaborations with others, D’Angelo’s voice will remain in history as one of the greatest of all time.
And so, in honor of a once-in-a-lifetime talent, here are ten of the greatest songs of D’Angelo’s career.
Honorable Mentions: “Nothing Even Matters,” by Lauryn Hill, and “So Far to Go,” by J Dilla
While these tracks may not be his own, it is important to recognize D’Angelo’s incredible contributions to each. His duet with Hill is a genre-defining ballad for the Neo-Soul movement. His chorus on the latter track pairs up beautifully with Dilla’s dream-like sample work.
10. “Spanish Joint”
“Spanish Joint” is home to one of the most dynamic beats of D’Angelo’s career. The combination of multiple different strings, vocal samples, horns, percussion and shakers forms a ridiculously bouncy track. Songs like this are exactly what made “Voodoo” such a game-changer for the Neo-Soul movement.
D’Angelo’s long-awaited third album, “The Black Messiah,” was met with immediate critical acclaim upon its release; “Really Love” provides a terrific example as to why. Every aspect of the instrumental feels perfectly placed, and D’Angelo’s songwriter prowess shines bright through his soft-spoken confession of love.
8. “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine”
D’Angelo made sure to establish how superb his vocal range was very early on in his career. His falsetto on this track is second to none. The chorus and bridge are the definition of “earworms.” Once you hear them, they’ll likely be stuck in your head for the foreseeable future.
The third track off of “The Black Messiah” is one of the most uplifting one can listen to. “The Charade” feels like a movement, celebration and prayer all in one. Ironically enough, it happens to be one of the shortest songs in his career.
Easily the most hip-hop influenced track of his career. The plucky guitar strings on the instrumental compliment D’Angelo’s buttery-smooth delivery perfectly. The bookending guest performances of Redman and Method Man help provide extra emphasis to what is a funky, soulful head-banger.
5. “Cruisin'”
A rendition of the classic Smokey Robinson song of the same title, D’Angelo’s vocals glide across a vast arrangement of string sections in this six-minute symphony. The original is incredible in its own right, but D’Angelo’s great use of harmonies and knack for delivering a catchy chorus elevate it to even greater heights.
4. “Send it On”
An emotional tribute dedicated to his first son with fellow artist Angie Stone, “Send It On” is arguably the emotional climax of “Voodoo.” It’s horn-driven instrumental elevates the listener to another plain of existence. The vocals, as per usual, are exquisite and the lyrics are some of the most moving of D’Angelo’s career.
3. “Lady”
The most commercially successful song of D’Angelo’s career, “Lady” simply never gets old. The piano-led instrumental paves a pathway for five minutes of D’Angelo singing about his lady. You would think that it would get repetitive, but it never does.
2. “Untitled (How Does it Feel?)”
An anthem. A lengthy, awe-inspiring, emotional masterpiece which perfectly defines the power music can hold. D’Angelo’s overall talent is presented through is ability to capture every facet of love in a bottle, then opening that bottle for a seven-minute explosion of soulful excellence.
The song that started it all, “Brown Sugar” is musical perfection. D’Angelo’s lyrically skills are on full display during his clever love song towards not a woman, but rather, marijuana. The production on this track is absolutely stellar in its own right. The gritty, jazz-influenced beat is a match made in heaven with D’Angelo’s psychedelic vocal layering. The landscape of R&B, and music as a whole, changed immediately upon this song’s release.