Overview
- In a personal essay titled “The Burial of Black Genius (a.k.a. D’Angelo Lives!),” Questlove recounts candid hospital talks that he says became the most open moments of their friendship.
- He describes noticing troubling signs at 2025 Roots Picnic rehearsals, including D’Angelo appearing in pain and preferring keys over guitar, before the headliner canceled and Maxwell filled in.
- The tribute calls D’Angelo “one of the last pure artists in Black music,” emphasizing his uncompromising creative approach.
- Questlove says the essay is planned as the first installment of a two-part remembrance he is writing.
- D’Angelo, a key Soulquarians figure whose discography includes Brown Sugar, Voodoo and Black Messiah, died on Oct. 14 at age 51 from pancreatic cancer.