DESCRIPTION
"Voodoo is the second studio album by D’Angelo, released on January 25, 2000, through Virgin Records. It’s widely regarded as one of the most important and transformative soul albums of its time — a visionary work that fuses funk, jazz, gospel, and hip-hop into a deeply organic and spiritual whole. While Brown Sugar (1995) helped define the sound of neo-soul, Voodoo expanded it into something more experimental, introspective, and raw.
After the success of his debut, D’Angelo withdrew from the public eye for several years. During that period, he immersed himself in the music of Jimi Hendrix, Fela Kuti, Prince, and Miles Davis — influences that are clearly reflected throughout Voodoo. The album was recorded between 1998 and 1999 at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City, originally built by Hendrix. There, D’Angelo worked closely with a loose collective of musicians known as the Soulquarians, which included Questlove (The Roots), J Dilla, Pino Palladino, James Poyser, and Roy Hargrove. Together, they developed a sound rooted in live improvisation, unpolished groove, and what Questlove famously described as “drunk drumming” — deliberately playing slightly behind the beat to create a hypnotic, human rhythm.
Musically, Voodoo is warm, layered, and unrefined in the best sense. It rejects the polished R&B production of its era, opting instead for deep funk basslines, interwoven grooves, and multi-layered, gospel-like vocals. D’Angelo’s singing often feels close and intimate, his voice stacked in rich harmonies that create a sense of depth and physicality. Lyrically, the album explores love, spirituality, sensuality, identity, and inner conflict, blending biblical imagery, Afrocentric themes, and raw emotion.
Among its standout songs, “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” became an instant classic — a slow, Prince-inspired ballad whose minimalist video became one of the most iconic visuals in R&B history. “Devil’s Pie,” produced by J Dilla, takes aim at fame and material temptation, while “The Root” and “Send It On” reveal D’Angelo’s introspective and spiritual side. The exuberant “Spanish Joint” incorporates Latin jazz rhythms, showing his impressive musical range and technical mastery.
Upon release, Voodoo received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It went on to win two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, and solidified D’Angelo’s reputation as one of the most gifted and uncompromising artists of his generation. Over the years, it has influenced a wide range of musicians — from Erykah Badu and Jill Scott to Frank Ocean, Anderson .Paak, and Kendrick Lamar — and is often mentioned alongside landmark works like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and To Pimp a Butterfly.
More than two decades later, Voodoo stands as a timeless masterpiece — an album that embodies rhythm, sensuality, and spirit in equal measure. It’s not a record that reveals itself immediately; instead, it deepens with every listen, offering new layers of feeling and groove each time. Ultimately, Voodoo remains a profound meditation on rhythm, identity, and the human experience itself."
TRACKLIST
A1 Playa Playa
A2 Devil's Pie
A3 Left & Right (featuring Method Man & Redman)
B1 The Line
B2 Send It On
B3 Chicken Grease
B4 One Mo Gin
C1 The Root
C2 Spanish Joint
C3 Feel Like Makin' Love
D1 Greatdayindamornin' / Booty
D2 Untitled (How Does It Feel)
D3 Africa