The World Will Never Forget D’Angelo’s Voice – Beyoncé

Popular singer Beyoncé has mourned the death of legendary musician D’Angelo. Recall that the revered trailblazer passed on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the age of 51 after battling cancer. Reacting via her website, Beyoncé honoured the deceased’s legacy, noting that his music and voice will not be forgotten.

Hailing D’Angelo for his amazing singing skills, the “Irreplaceable” crooner stressed that he triggered the transformation of R&B music many years ago.

“We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry. You were the pioneer of Neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever. We will never forget you,” she wrote.

Also reacting, Tyler, the Creator praised D’Angelo’s quality songwriting, describing him as a music genius and memorable artist.

Recalling the influence the late singer’s music had on many of his songs, he concluded that he would forever be grateful for everything he learnt from D’Angelo.

“I couldn’t understand how someone could write something so simple but personal but broad but genius. That’s how special he was. A savant. A true alien. We are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art. My musical DNA was helped shaped by this man. Forever grateful. Safe travels,” he added.

D’Angelo’s three solo albums — his debut Brown Sugar, 2000’s Voodoo, and 2014’s Black Messiah — all garnered critical praise and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart, with Voodoo taking Number One.

The LP’s single, ‘Untitled (How Does it Feel),’ featuring a one-shot video of a naked D’Angelo singing the track to the camera, became one of his signature songs and earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance (one of four he won throughout his career).

It was during a medley of this memorable track and Black Messiah’s “Sugah Daddy” for a performance at the 2012 BET Awards that saw Beyoncé and Solange dancing to the song from the audience, the moment marked his first televised performance in a dozen years and about two years before he would release his epic, Black Messiah.