Inspired by Lynn’s threads, I decided to do one for one of my favorite artists. Don’t worry, this one will be short because he only released three albums. But all 3 of those albums are perfect 10/10s.

#3: Black Messiah

For over a decade from 2000 to 2014, D’Angelo took an extended break from releasing music due to burnout, personal troubles, and tragedies from people close to him. Which included to untimely death of his friend, legendary Hip Hop producer J Dilla. But that doesn’t mean D’Angelo wasn’t making music. During this period of hiatus, D’Angelo wrote and recorded demos, and made guest appearances on other people’s songs.

When Black Messiah was released, it was met with big anticipation as it marked the return of the great artist. And the album exceeded expectations.

Unlike his first two albums, D’Angelo put heavy emphasis on it having a jam band-like atmosphere. Besides himself, the album is credited as “D’Angelo & The Vanguard”. A backing band that D’Angelo himself assembled with members that included Cleo “Pookie” Sample on keyboards, Isaiah Sharkey and Jesse Johnson on guitar, Chris Dave on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, and Kendra Foster on backing vocals.

Like his first two albums, D’Angelo included the album with a couple of love songs he was known for since the very beginning. But Black Messiah also dealt with politics and D’Angelo’s personal life; including one song where D’Angelo talks about his conflicting feelings of the success of the “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” music video.

Despite the long wait (and it being his final album in his lifetime), Black Messiah shows that D’Angelo never left after Voodoo, and that he still got it.

Best songs: “Really Love”, “The Charade”, “Another Life”.