In late January 2000, D’Angelo released Voodoo, his sweated-over masterpiece of humid soul and lush funk. “Devil’s Pie,” the album’s first single, had come out fifteen months prior, and “Left & Right,” which was released in October 1999, had performed modestly well on the charts. But with “Untitled (How Does it Feel),” which was released on January 4, 2000—sixteen years ago today—everything changed. The video, which famously features D in nothing more than a pair of very low-slung sweatpants, made him a household name, and the catcalling he endured on the Voodoo tour was at least partially responsible for the decade-plus disappearance that ended with the release of last December’s triumphant Black Messiah.
What can be difficult to remember—though not all that difficult, since it’s apparent from the moment the track begins—is that “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” is a brilliant R&B song, from its cushy production down to the subtle teasing of D’Angelo’s voice. Which is presumably why BJ the Chicago Kid decided to drop a brief EP of D’Angelo covers on the single’s birthday.
Of course, being able to sing like D’Angelo is reason enough to do it, and BJ more than acquits himself on that account. As Stereogum points out, the EP also finds him putting together a ninety-second cover of Prince‘s “Always in My Hair,” which D’Angelo himself released on the Scream 2 soundtrack. You can give it a listen—and watch the “Untitled” video—below.
(via Pitchfork)
