D’Angelo’s Voodoo

by Faith Pennick

Voodoo, D'Angelo's much-anticipated 2000 release, set the standard for the musical cycle ordained as "neo-soul," a label the singer and songwriter would reject more than a decade later. The album is a product of heightened emotions and fused sensibilities; an amalgam of soul, rock, jazz, gospel, hip-hop, and Afrobeats. D'Angelo put to music his own pleasures and insecurities as a man-child in the promised land. It was both a tribute to his musical Prince, Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, J Dilla...and a deconstruction of rhythm and blues itself. Despite nearly universal acclaim, the sonic expansiveness of Voodoo proved too nebulous for airplay on many radio stations, seeping outside the accepted lines of commercial R&B music. Voodoo was Black, it was definitely magic, and it was nearly overshadowed by a four-minute music video featuring D'Angelo's sweat-glistened six-pack abs. "The Video" created an accentuated moment when the shaman lost control of the spell he cast.

Genres: Music, Art, Nonfiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2020

Reviews

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I read this over a year ago but I recently came across the live performance of “Chicken Grease,” and lordddd does this album continue to change me. D’Angelo is truly a neo-soul godsend and I also loved how this deep dive highlighted that every person in his corner (s/o Pino Palladino, Charlie Hunter, Russell Elevado) is equally a master of their craft. Currently manifesting another world tour run in this lifetime of mine.

[Rob Harvilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of videos, promotional art, and album covers have been cranked out featuring African American male singers or MCs with their shirts off in hypermasculine poses and expressions. There was Tupac's iconic frontal shot brandishing his "Thug Life" tattoo. DMX covered in blood. On 50 Cent's first two album covers, Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre, his six-pack and chain are in full effect. And haven't we all lost track of how many times we've seen LL Cool J with his shirt off back in the day?

So why this Black man with his exposed chest? In part, because the video creates the illusion that D'Angelo is fully nude, in part because of the "take me, please" longing of the song, a scenario is created in which another man is not invited. Throw in how heterosexual men are socialized to reject a man's attractiveness or run the risk of being labeled gay, some straight Black men likely felt painted into a corner when it comes to "Untitled." Unlike the hood nihilism of a Lil Wayne video, they know that D'Angelo's body is for a higher calling: a woman. For an insecure, immature straight man, if that theoretical woman is his wife, girlfriend, or female relative glued to the TV, Jack Nicholson couldn't have said it better: he can't handle the truth.

[Petty Lisbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good analysis of D'angelo's album. I learned a lot about his career. I was sad to know him and Angie Stone's relationship ended partially because of who his label felt he should be with at the time. Rest in peace.

[Jitte Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read.

[Ayush · Rating 5 out of 5]

very awesome

[Adam Creavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably could’ve found out just as much going through the Wikipedia page