In keeping with the intimate, souled-out nature of his music, singer / songwriter / producer D'Angelo will unveil
Voodoo - his much-anticipated sophomore effort - in early 1999.
Already, the buzz surrounding D'Angelo's upcoming opus is growing. Reflecting widespread interest among
fans and journalists, Time magazine recently spotlighted D'Angelo and his peers, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell, in a
major feature: "Hill, D'Angelo, and Maxwell are distinct performers, but they share a willingness to challenge
musical orthodoxy," Time declared in praising the "new generation of neo-soul stars."
D'Angelo is producing Voodoo -- his first album on Virgin Records -- with contributions from an array of peers,
including co-productions by DJ Premier (one half of the pioneering hip hop duo Gang Starr) and Rafael Saadiq
(of Tony! Toni! Tone! fame). Voodoo prominently features horn arrangements by renowned jazz trumpeter Roy
Hargrove, who won a 1998 Grammy for his album Latin Jazz. Among the other participants Blue Note recording
artist Char!ie Hunter plays guitar on various tracks; Q-Tip is featured on one song- and The Roots' drummer
?uest Love -- arguably the hottest percussionist in hip hop today -- provides the rhythmic muscle behind
Voodoo's deep-running soul.
The upcoming Voodoo follows D'Angelo's platinum-plus 1995 debut Brown Sugar, which spawned the gold
singles "Brown Sugar" and "Lady." In addition to racking up worldwide sales of two-million units, Brown Siigar
was nominated for five Grammy Awards, won four Soul Train Awards (including "Album of the Year"), earned
D'Angelo an American Music Award as "Favorite R&B Artist," and established him as one of the most
compelling new voices in modern music.
Even as he completes work on Voodoo, D'Angelo continues to earn props in other endeavors. His duet with
Lauryn Hill, "Nothing Even Matters," is one of the standout tracks on Hill's newly released solo debut album The
Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a #1 smash on the Billboard album chart. The strong creative chemistry between
Hill and D'Angelo is shaping future plans: the two will co-headline a nationwide tour beginning in Spring /
Summer, 1999.
Beyond the realm of music, D'Angelo is featured on the cover of "Body And Soul," a provocative coffee table
book released in July by Rizzoli Publishing. Offering an exceptional collection of photographs and profiles on
prominent African American men, "Body And Soul" participants include Kobe Bryant, Cuba Gooding Jr.,
Maxwell, Chris Rock, and many more. Amid such notable company, the honor of appearing on the book's cover
is even more impressive.
While he deeply appreciates being chosen for the cover of "Body And Soul," D'Angelo knows that his most
important accomplishments will continue to come in the musical arena -- and Voodoo presents new panoramas
of his soulful musical vision. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead, as the album's release date draws
closer.
