Give Artists Their Flowers While They Still Have a Garden: A Commentary on D'Angelo (mostly)

 

This video is heavily related to today's discussion. It's a nice watch, and I hope you guys enjoy it! :))

• Word Count: 733

    I recently listened to the album Voodoo by D’Angelo, and to be honest, I fell in love with the album. I admired his vocals and his music composition, as it was something I’ve never heard before. The album was so alluring and new, I couldn’t help but appreciate it. Even though D’Angelo only has three albums, you can hear a clear evolution in his work. You can hear how his art progressively got louder, more confident, and more prideful. Listening to his albums in chronological order is heavily rewarding, to say the least. Now, I don’t know about y’all, but every time I consume something I like, I go out of my way to learn as much as I can about it. This goes for video games, TV shows, movies, and most recently, albums. After listening to his first album, Brown Sugar, I watched a small video essay about D’Angelo’s life and influences. Overall, that video made me appreciate his art more. Actually, I wish I could give D’Angelo his flowers…but he’s no longer alive, and honestly, that’s the problem. 

As people, I notice a lot of us do not give artists the recognition they deserve until they are no longer here. Not saying this is the case for D’Angelo, but it is definitely the case for Aaliyah. Like D’Angelo, Aaliyah released three albums before passing away. You could also hear her evolution and growth in her art, even though she didn’t have a lot of projects. Aaliyah was already famous prior to her death, but when she passed, her fame skyrocketed. She is not the first artist this has happened to, nor will she be the last. For a lot of people, it seems like death gives their fame a boost. Don’t get me wrong, this alone is not an issue. People talking about artists after they die is a weird - but effective - way to keep their legacy alive. Teaching others about the impact these artists had on our culture? It memorializes them. It’s the reason people still find out about some of these artists, even years after they passed. So, I see exactly why artists get more fame after passing. My thing is, why do some of us wait to give an artist their flowers when we can give them now, while they’re still here with us? 

Whether you want to admit it or not, there are some insanely talented people out in the world. There are artists with insane vocals, incredibly skilled wordplay, and there are people who can compose the fuck out of a song. However, they are likely to receive the most recognition when they are no longer here to create. That is something I want to change. Also, don’t mistake this as me blaming others, because I am not. I wasn’t even alive when Aaliyah released her music; I was born in 2006. Additionally, I had just launched my blog around the same time D’Angelo passed. I was not around to appreciate Aaliyah and D’Angelo’s artistry like I should’ve, but I’m here now. You are here now. What I’m trying to say is there are artists - people - out there who deserve more recognition; let’s not wait to give it to them. Support those you can while you still can. In my opinion, someone shouldn’t have to die to know they are appreciated, loved, and cared for. You find someone cool as shit? Let the whole world know. Listen to all of their projects. Support them; whether that means going to a performance or just streaming their work (and of course, this doesn’t apply to just artists). There’s more than one way to do it. I truly wish I had listened to D’Angelo’s projects earlier, but I know I can’t reverse time. Actually, I think we all know someone - both famous and personal - whom we wish we had supported them sooner or found out about them earlier in our lives. I feel in order to prevent things like that, we have to give people their flowers while they still have a garden. Thank you. 

- CD ★

Actually, I’ll share an artist I think deserves more recognition; his name is Jakob (formerly Jakob Ogawa). He makes this indie bedroom and pop type of music, and I love it. Personally, I hope he actually makes an album. My life would literally be complete/hj. Anyway, these are my favorite tracks from him: 

Okay, that was it. Thanks for listening! <3

Voodoo by D'Angelo: Album Review

 

Voodoo by D'Angelo (2000)

Rating: 10/10

Look, I’m going to be honest, my album reviews are not going to be long ones. When it comes to things that make me feel good, I’m not good with my words. Yes, I know I’m technically a writer…leave me alone, bro. Plus, I’m sure I’ll get better. Anyway, let’s talk about Voodoo by D’Angelo (2000). 

First of all, I hope I’m making sense when I say this; this album made me feel like I was fucking floating. I’m talking as high as the fucking sky. The vocals he had, the sounds/instruments he picked, it felt like everything was reeling me in…like a damn siren. Honestly, if D’Angelo were a siren, I would probably be dead, like I’m being so for real. Also, this could be me, but you can almost tell he was raised in the church from the way he sings. I can’t really give evidence on this claim, but former gospel singers have a certain sound in their singing styles. It’s like the way you can tell Durand Bernarr and Doechii were raised in the church (I’m sure there are more artists, but they aren’t at the top of my head right now). There’s a type of soul intertwined in the music they make, and I love it. Although I’m not religious, I can still appreciate the essence of soul music. I’m not about to miss out on some good shit; I am not stupid! LMAO

Anyway, I guess I interpret music differently because I don’t think I’ve ever cried during a song. Not because I think it’s corny, but because I never heard something that brought tears to my eyes…until today. I have to be honest, during the middle of this album? I felt my eyes get a little watery. Not because I was sad, absolutely not, but because of how beautiful it was. The way he sang/his vocals, his music composition, it became overwhelming in the best way possible. Like I said, I could feel myself floating. My arms and legs felt like putty. Dude, I was working on other things for my blog, and I genuinely had to stop what I was doing and just…listen to the project. That is the main thing I like about D’Angelo’s art; it forces you to listen. It’s so alluring that ignoring it feels so wrong, like a crime. Y’all get what I mean, right? When I said music felt like a drug, this is exactly what the fuck I meant. I never wanted to replay an album so fast in my life. Usually, I would take some time to myself to process it, but no; I wanted to hear this shit again, and again, and again. I wish I was kidding. When this album ended, I genuinely felt disappointed. Not to mention, I really liked his first album, Brown Sugar. So, hearing this evolution in his art was rewarding for lack of better words. I can’t wait to listen to his last album, and may he rest in peace. <3

- CD ★

FAVORITE TRACKS: 

What, you thought I was gonna leave y’all hanging? Hell no! 

May Announcements? Not really.

     Hey everyone! I wanted to share a small message for today. I decided to extend the album and film of the month into May, since I did not alert everyone for April's announcements. I wanted to apologize for that. There will not be a new album or film in the month until June. However, I do want to share that I have been feeling creative again and will be working on pieces for you to read in the future. I feel I am finally letting myself be a nerd again, and I will start talking about nerdy shit LMAO. I hope you guys are ready. I won't give hints on what I'll be talking about, as I do not want it to interrupt my creative process, but I do think you guys will enjoy it. I'll talk to you guys another time! Bye! (´｡• ω •｡`)

music is a drug: a journal entry (1)

This is somewhat related to the post today- I also just like this song lol. I think everyone should listen to it :) 

    For a while, I've been trying to find out what makes me like music so much. I know people say they're music lovers all the time (I am one too), but no one's ever said WHY they liked music. Actually, I don't think I've ever been able to describe music; I just knew I loved it. I couldn't really find the words until today. The best way I can describe music is that it feels like a drug. I find it funny, though; you can't exactly touch it...or snort it. It's something so beautiful and sacred, and it doesn't help that anyone can make it. Everyone has the ability to compose a song if they want to. Some people like to sing, some like to play the guitar, some like to sing their poetry on a beat. Regardless, it's going to sound good, and an artist knows that. I think that's what makes music so beautiful, it's because it's intentional. When someone makes a song, they have an idea in their mind of who it's for. Maybe themselves, a lover, a family member...maybe they just had a kid, and want to make a song for them. Making music is almost like making a gift for someone, a very - insanely - intimate gift. Everyone has a different reaction to a song they hear, and that's an experience no one is allowed to take from you. No one can say you're not allowed to be sad or happy from a song you hear, just because they got a different reaction from it. Music can also have multiple meanings, as if you're looking at a painting that's a bit unclear. You come up with a meaning for it, even if you don't know what you're looking at. I don't know, I'm just talking out of my ass. 

- CD ★

Update: We are SOOOOO back!

This is unrelated to the post (kinda). I just like this song and found out about it today. I hope you guys like it! :)))

    

    Dudes, I have to be honest; a lot of shit has been happening behind the scenes for the past few weeks. I've been cruising through life and just enjoying my own company for a while, but I'm back! I've had a few things happen that have given me moments of inspiration. 

1. I got my hair done for the first time in a year!
   I've talked about this a few times on YouTube, but I had a really rough year in 2025. I wasn't able to get my hair retwisted for a multitude of reasons; it was mostly my hospital trip that messed me up. I also had a lot of things going on mentally, so I was never able to do my hair until last weekend. I have people in my life that I am so thankful for, and they helped me do my hair, and I feel a lot better. I will say that last year also helped me embrace my hair in its most natural state. It doesn't always have to be done, and that's okay. Anyways, I feel better knowing I can start back maintaining my hair. It's one less thing for me to worry about. 
   
   
2. Stepping outside the box with my style
   I don't know what made me want to do it, but a few weeks ago, I got this random urge to cut up and upcycle my shirts. Literally, one day I was about to head out, and I thought, "Let me just cut the neckline of my shirt really quick," and I loved it. Now, I'm cutting all of my shirts...it makes me feel like I'm tailoring my own clothes. I feel like a fashion designer or something LMAO. Anyway, I would say it's made me more confident too. I took a selfie for the first time in a longggg ass time. It's like I can literally feel myself coming back out, and I love it. I'm 1,000 times more comfortable with myself compared to last year...really, the past few years. 
   
   
3. Writing, writing, and writing
   Dude, I have been writing sooooooooooo so so so so much, it's not even funny anymore. I've been in my journal pages and writing for you guys. I have a lot of things in my drafts, but I don't want to talk about them. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate you guys for the support. I just feel that when I tell people my plans out loud, my goals are less likely to be accomplished. I'm learning that as a creative, I kind of have to be secretive. I know not every creative person moves like that, but that's how I have to be, if that makes sense. Also, lately, the things I've wanted to get done are getting done. As someone who is not good at pursuing my goals, it always feels nice to actually accomplish something. I want to put out more stuff for you guys, but I think it's best if I don't talk about it. The next time I talk, I want something to already be DONE, you know what I mean? I also think I'm doing a bit better in terms of creating and brainstorming ideas...hopefully I get to show it off soon!

    I'm so glad I got that off my chest. I want to go ahead and work on the announcements for my TikTok and try to post on there again. Other than that, I am happy to be back, and I just wanted to let y'all know I feel great. I'll see you guys soon! o(≧▽≦)o