D’Angelo had it all: two platinum-selling albums, a sold-out world tour, and a body chiseled to perfection. However, one day at the height of his career in 2000, the soul singer vanished. For 12 years he descended into darkness. Out of nowhere, in December 2014, his third album Black Messiah was suddenly released: the soundtrack of the lost years.
I was super excited to see this documentary because D’Angelo was one of my favorite R&B Artists of the ’90s. When he vanished into thin air, I and many others often wondered what happened to him and would he ever come back and shower us yet again with his amazing voice.
The story takes us back to the beginning, before the release of his first album in 1995 titled “Brown Sugar.” Before he became D’Angelo, he was Michael Eugene Archer who began singing in his father’s church in Virginia at the age of 5. He learned how to B-box and kick on a bucket with the attempt to get a nice beat, but his father was not happy about that and often told him not to play the devil’s music. Being very close to his grandmother, she always encouraged him and he knew at a young age he had a special gift.
Very much inspired by his faith, Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, and others greats, he wrestled with singing music for god and indulging in a more sexual style of R&B. Because of this, he began singing in his grandmother’s church where they were more liberal when it came to the type of music he wanted to perform. Besides having a powerful voice, it blew my mind to see just how gifted he is with many instruments such as the piano, bass guitar, percussions, and saxophone.
After touring his first album, he understood the power and huge influence he had over his audience; which he described as sometimes scary. His sexy image was never his intent, it was always about the music but during the ’90s, music videos were huge and he portrayed a very sexy image so while touring women would yell for him to take his shirt off and that’s how it all began.
He says there was a constant struggle between his real self and his on-stage personality; in which he never combined the two; he always left D’Angelo on stage. Between 2002-2008, he faced a very dark period in his life following the death of three close people, including his grandmother. This is the time when he began abusing drugs and alcohol. After a few failed rehab attempts, his third time he finally admitted to himself he had a serious problem. What really opened his eyes was the fact that he became incapable of making music.
In 2005 he was involved in a nearly fatal car crash where he had to be transported by helicopter to the hospital. He explained the terrible pain of having survivor’s guilt, which is an issue of many people who grow up poor, make it big, mess up, and getting a second chance at life.
We watch him and his band unite once again with attempts to create another album. No one is sure what will become of the recording sessions, will he come back completely or will he just fade out again? I loved the early footage of his childhood, it was so emotional and beautiful to see that much talent and passion in such a small human being. The concerts were absolutely insane to watch, and now I’m wondering how it is possible I never got around to seeing him live. I want to really mention that when you see him singing, his voice is just as strong and powerful as it has always been. How does he do that? I have no idea but I am hoping he is back for good.
“Devil’s Pie – D’Angelo” recently premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
