D’Angelo Surfaces After 11 Year Hideout
Every year sees the return of elusive musicians, but 2012 has already seen a flood of artists attempting to make a comeback. So far, we’ve seen the reformation of two overwhelmingly influential hardcore bands (At the Drive-In, Refused), the promise of a new Fiona Apple LP, Andrew W.K., Neutral Milk Hotel, and now long-time R&B hyper-freak D’Angelo. And when I use the term “hyper-freak”, I mean that as the sincerest of compliments.
Last night D’Angelo played his first show in more than 11 years in Stockholm, Sweden. Two fan-made videos have surfaced on Youtube and feature the D’Angel and his band playing “Devil’s Pie” and “Chicken Grease”. The videos are a bit shaky in quality, but that’s beside the point. What’s more exciting is that the neurotic talent is making an attempt to rekindle his once-bright star.
It’s been quite some time since anything musical was heard from D’Angelo, so if you’re trying to pinpoint where he sits in the realm of pop-culture then mentioning his infamous video for the song “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” may ring a bell. The song was a major hit, but the video has become a cultural touchstone because of its innovative use of the singer completely nude on camera as the camera veered dangerously close to expose the man’s unmentionables.
Though the fan videos are of relatively low quality, it sounds like D’Angelo hasn’t lost his knack for delivering passionate, innovative soul. In a recent interview with Pitchfork, Roots drummer ?uestlove said that D’Angelo’s new album was close to completion. The anticipation grows.
