60 Songs That Explain the '90s D’Angelo—“Untitled (How Does It Feel)”
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Feb 25, 2026 
Hanif Abdurraqib, poet and cultural critic, reflects on D’Angelo’s Voodoo era and the shock of the ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ video. He traces D’Angelo’s church roots, the Soulquarians’ studio craft, and how scarcity shaped legend. They also unpack memorial performances, Prince’s influence, and why certain live moments feel irreplaceable.
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Absence Became Part Of D'Angelo's Myth
- D'Angelo's career is defined as much by his absence as his presence, making every reappearance feel like a major event.
- Long gaps between albums (5 years, then 14 years) created a mythology that magnified the emotional impact of performances and releases.
Voodoo Creates A Studio Room You Can Enter
- Voodoo is a self-contained era built from long studio sessions at Electric Lady and an obsessive study of 'Yodas' like Prince and James Brown.
- The record's sense of place comes from studio chatter, extended track lengths, and layered, imperfect performances.
Voodoo Runs On Dilla Time
- Voodoo's rhythmic feel draws heavily on J Dilla's off-kilter timing, creating a 'Dilla time' that feels loose and human.
- Questlove intentionally played 'crookedly' to achieve a pocket where instruments sit behind the beat.
