Found out live on air that the legend D’Angelo died at the age of 51… heartbreaking news. Still reeling from it. He changed music forever with a voice so bright and talented that it’s on par with Marvin Gaye and Prince. He also changed my musical path, too. I could finally hear R&B through his music—the voice was the main instrument. D’Angelo’s instrument was one of the best.

I played as much of his music as I legally could today, and will play more tomorrow. 

Please read Progressive Underground host Chris Campbell’s loving remembrance he wrote about D’Angelo… as well as his “Liner Notes” piece highlighting tracks from the masterpiece album “Voodoo.”

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for October 14, 2025

• “Towers” – Hundred Waters
• “Mumma Don’t Tell (Faltydl Remix)” – Leifur James
• “Last Night Reprise (feat. Cautious Clay, Kaki King & Maeve Gilchrist)” – Arooj Aftab
• “! MAVIS BEACON” – Saya Gray
• “The Ones We Loved” – Georgie Sweet
• “Call It Love” – Nilüfer Yanya
• “Bless The Telephone” – Annahstasia
• “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” – D’Angelo
• “Spanish Joint” – D’Angelo
• “Africa (Demo)” – D’Angelo
• “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine (J Dilla Remix)” – D’Angelo
• “Devil’s Pie (Tall Black Guy Edit)” – D’Angelo
• “I Found My Smile Again (Radio Edit)” – D’Angelo
• “Nothing Even Matters (feat. D’Angelo)” – Lauryn Hill
• “Light” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “Don’t You Want To Stay?” – Bill Withers
• “Tanto Arriba Como Abajo” – Chicano Batman
• “I Want You (John Morales M+M Breakdown Mix)” – Marvin Gaye
• “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (feat. Jocelyn Brown) [4 Hero Remix]” – Nuyorican Soul
• “Bounce, Pts. I + II” – Nate Smith
• “Walk In the Night (Live)” – Grant Green
• “You Are Mine” – Jay Robinson
• “Turiya and Ramakrishna” – Alice Coltrane
• “Pink Sky” – Loma
• “Astral-Desia” – Whatitdo Archive Group
• “Con Altura” – Orquesta Akokán

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.