Tyler, The Creator Pays Emotional Tribute to D’Angelo After His Death
Tyler, the Creator honored the late D’Angelo in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday following news of the R&B legend’s death. The post revealed how deeply D’Angelo’s music shaped Tyler’s artistry, particularly his 2000 album Voodoo.
“On my 9th birthday, March 6 2000, I landed at Sam Goody at the South Bay Galleria. I had $20 in birthday money and my eyes set on leaving with one thing. VOODOO by D’Angelo,” Tyler wrote.
He reflected on how Voodoo became a cornerstone of his musical development. “Cita’s World had ‘Left & Right’ on loop; Brown Sugar became a staple at home and Nothing Even Matters by Ms. Hill was on repeat, so I had no doubt that Voodoo would deliver. I had no idea that would help shape my musical DNA.”
Tyler recalled writing raps to D’Angelo’s songs, trying to mimic his phrasing, and wearing out the CD from constant play. “The amount of raps I’ve wrote to ‘BOOTY’ on the front porch that year, the amount of times I’ve tried to mimic vocal phrasing from ‘SEND IT ON,’ the scratches the disc ended up with from repeating ‘THE ROOT’… too many,” he said.
He highlighted the emotional depth of “One Mo’gin,” saying, “That dragging sway of tempo that sounds like a porch sitting rocking chair. That grumpy but loose bassline. The subject of it, that feeling he’s describing felt like a mirror. I couldn’t understand how someone could write something so simple but personal but broad but genius. That’s how special he was. A savant. A true alien.”
Tyler ended his tribute with gratitude. “I am so lucky to have gotten my copy of Voodoo when I did. We are so lucky to have been alive to enjoy his art. My musical DNA was helped shaped by this man. Forever grateful. Safe travels.”
D’Angelo’s family confirmed that the 51-year-old singer died after a private battle with cancer. “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind,” the family said in a statement.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. DJ Premier wrote on X, “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’Angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep peacefully D’. Love you KING.” The Alchemist added, “Man. Rest in peace D’Angelo.”
D’Angelo’s influence reached across genres, inspiring generations of artists with his soul, vulnerability, and musical genius.
