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Artists like D'Angelo — and the music that made them

Neo-Soul · 1995-present
Neo-soul pioneer who revolutionized R&B with sensual mysticism
D'Angelo is the enigmatic architect of neo-soul who fused classic R&B with hip-hop, rock, and jazz to create a deeply spiritual and carnal sound. His sparse but profound catalog, including masterpieces like 'Voodoo' and 'Black Messiah,' established him as one of modern music's most influential and reclusive visionaries.
Essential tracks
Untitled (How Does It Feel)
Brown Sugar
Really Love
Did you know
He disappeared from public view for 14 years between albums due to personal struggles and creative perfectionism
Prince was so impressed by D'Angelo that he invited him to Paisley Park and they jammed together regularly
He plays nearly every instrument on his records and often records dozens of takes to achieve the perfect 'drunk' rhythm feel
“Sultry falsetto meets jazz harmonies in sensual neo-soul perfection.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace D'Angelo's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
D'Angelo
1995-present
Prince
1978-2016
cited
Marvin Gaye
1961-1984
cited
Stevie Wonder
1963-present
cited
Al Green
1967-present
sonic
Curtis Mayfield
1958-1999
sonic
Sly Stone
1966-present
sonic
Donny Hathaway
1969-1979
sonic
Jimi Hendrix
1966-1970
sonic
Parliament-Funkadelic
1968-present
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Layered vocal harmonies
Live instrumentation over samples
Jazz chord progressions
Sensual falsetto delivery
Start with these tracks
Brown Sugar
Untitled (How Does It Feel)
Really Love
Lady
If you like D'Angelo, try these
Maxwell
Shares the same silky neo-soul aesthetic with jazz-influenced arrangements.
1990s · Neo-Soul
Erykah Badu
Creates equally innovative neo-soul with organic instrumentation and spiritual depth.
1990s · Neo-Soul
Frank Ocean
Modern R&B with similar experimental production and vulnerable vocal delivery.
2010s · Alternative R&B
The Weeknd
Dark, atmospheric R&B with falsetto vocals and moody production.
2010s · Alternative R&B
Prince
Shares sensual vocal style, multi-instrumental prowess, and genre-blending approach.
1980s · Funk/R&B
Miguel
Contemporary R&B with guitar-driven arrangements and smooth vocal delivery.
2010s · Contemporary R&B
About this page

Music like D'Angelo — D'Angelo is the enigmatic architect of neo-soul who fused classic R&B with hip-hop, rock, and jazz to create a deeply spiritual and carnal sound. His sparse but profound catalog, including masterpieces like 'Voodoo' and 'Black Messiah,' established him as one of modern music's most influential and reclusive visionaries.

Artists like D'Angelo today include Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd. If you enjoy D'Angelo, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like D'Angelo and songs like D'Angelo are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.