parallels: 8 modern songs that channel D'Angelo's 'Voodoo'
from Mereba to Steve Lacy.
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If you’ve been following my work, you know I love to connect the music of the past with the present.
So, along with my special 25th anniversary piece on D’Angelo’s Voodoo, I’m sharing this companion piece: 8 modern and modern-ish songs that embody the 2000 release.
While nothing can replace the synergy and beauty of the singer’s sophomore album, I believe these eight songs carry on its legacy of introspective, vulnerable soul music that resonates with my generation and younger audiences.
Here are my song pairings, along with brief thoughts on what ties them together.
I made a YouTube playlist for this so you can listen along as you read! :)
D’Angelo — “The Root” + Thundercat — “Them Changes” (2017)
Both songs weep helplessness at the end of a relationship and desire to break free from a relentless emotional bond. The imagery of blood is prevalent as both artists lament their situations.
D’Angelo — “The Line” + Mereba — “Black Truck” (2019)
During my deep dive into the blues, I learned that singers lifted themselves out of despair by speaking their exact intentions to improve their lives. This created a sense of movement from an old phase to a new one.
When Mereba asserts, “Imma push me a all-black truck,” she’s in the driver’s seat of life taking control. Similarly, when D’Angelo sings, “I’m gonna stick to my guns,” and “put my finger on the trigger,” it suggests he’s ready to reveal his true self to the world.
D’Angelo — “Send It On” + Ravyn Lenae — “Satellites” (2022)
These songs make you feel as though you’re hugged up with someone you love while floating on a cloud. Both artists extend invitations of open-heartedness.
D’Angelo — “One Mo Gin” + Sampha — “Inclination Compass (Tenderness)” (2023)
Here there is a lot yearning for past relationships. While Sampha is reviving a connection experiencing a rough patch with tenderness, D’Angelo is in a new relationship reminiscing about an old flame. Sonically, they differ; D’Angelo’s track features a deeply funky bass line, while Sampha’s sound is spacey and piano-driven.
D’Angelo — “Africa” + The Internet — “Come Together” (2018)
These two songs serve as mental resets. Just give them a listen.
D’Angelo — “Spanish Joint” + Steve Lacy — “Mercury” (2022)
When I first heard “Mercury,” the first song that came to mind was “Spanish Joint.” Both tracks incorporate Afro-Cuban jazz elements and are highly spirited.
D’Angelo — “Devil’s Pie” +
Brent Faiyaz — “First World Problemz / Nobody Carez”(2017)
Phony Ppl — “What It Feels Like” (2022)
For this pairing, I highlighted two songs that I feel showcase men speaking with honesty about their internal conflicts. We know “Devil’s Pie” features D’Angelo facing the allure of money, power, and sex within the music industry, but this could be applied to all aspects of life.
The Brent Faiyaz track features a similar boom-bap sound as he sings of less-than-fortunate circumstances. The Phony Ppl track dreams of “being a baller” while weighing out the necessary sacrifices to achieve fat pockets.
These embody relatable soul music at its best without coming across as preachy or disingenuous.
To get this finished in time for the anniversary, I gave the first songs that came to mind. This isn’t a definitive list, it’s simply what I feel. Feel free to share songs that give you that Voodoo feel in the comments.
Thanks for checking out my music writing. If you read this entire piece, love it and want to support my future work with a one-time tip/monetary gift, I’ve set up a Buy Me a Tea link here.