D’Angelo Dies Aged 51 ⇥ variety.com

Steven J. Horowitz and Jem Aswad, Variety:

D’Angelo, a legendary R&B singer who helped pioneer neo-soul, has died. He was 51.

You know how an artist page on Apple Music might have, above the row of their albums, a selection of “Essential Albums”? All three of D’Angelo’s records are deservedly listed as “Essential” on his page. D’Angelo made the kind of music that felt instantly timeless; classic and contemporary in equal measure. Everything he made felt distinctly him. This one hurts.