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Black Messiah
by
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Black Messiah Image
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 391 Ratings

  • Summary: The first release in 14 years for the R&B singer features songs co-written with Q-Tip and Kendra Foster as well as co-production from James Gadson, Pino Palladino,and Questlove.

Top Track

Really Love
When you call my name When you love me gently When you're walking near me Doo doo wah I'm in really love with you, I'm in really love with you When... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 5, 2015
    100
    Black Messiah was crafted painstakingly, that’s evident, but it never sounds labored over. It sounds loose, on fire, and huge, like a truly Christian sermon.
  2. Exclaim
    Dec 16, 2014
    100
    It is masterful, it is heartening and it represents today's best from an R&B/soul perspective.
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Dec 17, 2014
    100
    This is the Second Coming of D’Angelo, not a close second, but a continuation of that lineage. We’ve waited fifteen years for his finest album to date.
  4. Clash Music
    Dec 17, 2014
    90
    Despite the elongated nature of its creation, Black Messiah is a fluid, confidently cool piece.... A real showcase of his incredible talent.
  5. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2014
    90
    The societal ruminations within the fiery judder of "1000 Deaths," the dreamy churn of "The Charade," and the falsetto blues of "Till It's Done," fueled as much by current planetary ills and race relations as the same ones that prompted the works of D'Angelo's heroes, strike the deepest.
  6. HipHopDX
    Dec 18, 2014
    90
    Black Messiah is ambitious and adventurous, and in that way it delivers wholly on the promise of D’Angelo as an artist.
  7. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Dec 15, 2014
    80
    It’s a striking mix of sensuality and abrasion, giving a long-missing star a fresh claim on what’s current.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 41
  3. Negative: 2 out of 41
  1. mosdefinitely
    May 2, 2015
    10
    Definitely worth the 14 year wait. Not quite as good as Voodoo, but it definitely has tons of replay value. D'Angelo's wonderful combinationDefinitely worth the 14 year wait. Not quite as good as Voodoo, but it definitely has tons of replay value. D'Angelo's wonderful combination of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, and rock fits perfectly with his strong lyricism and always-perfect voice.… Expand
  2. thaleslucas
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    One of the best Funky/Soul/Rock album that I ever heard in my life! D'Angelo is so **** perfect! What a great Christmas present ♥ I'm in loveOne of the best Funky/Soul/Rock album that I ever heard in my life! D'Angelo is so **** perfect! What a great Christmas present ♥ I'm in love with this album. That's all! xoxo

    Favorite tracks: "1000 Deaths"; "The Charade"; "Sugah Daddy"; "Till It's Done (Tutu)" & "Another Life".    … Collapse
  4. jyo_tirmaya
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    I could listen to this kind of funky, mellow-vibe, yet D'Angelo is a man with a mission. The times have changed since his 2,000 A.D. album,I could listen to this kind of funky, mellow-vibe, yet D'Angelo is a man with a mission. The times have changed since his 2,000 A.D. album, and D'Angelo has reappeared to contemplate it while at the same time giving us excellent music to listen. Well done, my man!… Expand
  5. princefan1999
    Jun 3, 2017
    10
    I got a metacritic account to rate this album, D'angelo has really transformed himself, he has managed to epitomize the highlights of blackI got a metacritic account to rate this album, D'angelo has really transformed himself, he has managed to epitomize the highlights of black music in one record and managed to make it sound fresh and revolutionary, which only artists like Prince managed to achieve. The lyrics are dense, as one critic says 'weighty', only artists like Kendrick Lamar can come close. 'The Charade' covers black oppression, 'Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries' and 'Another Life' is possibly the greatest love song ever written. 'Sugah Daddy' is shocking and 'Betray My Heart' is funkjazz, did you ever think you'd be listening to funkjazz in your lifetime? Unmissable. 100%… Expand
  6. IsaacMartinez
    Dec 16, 2014
    10
    This album is amazing. At first I was worried that the wait since Voodoo would cause my opinion of this album to be strongly affected, butThis album is amazing. At first I was worried that the wait since Voodoo would cause my opinion of this album to be strongly affected, but after listening I was surprised by just how good it was. From tracks like the funky "Sugah Daddy" to the Beatles-esque "The Door," D'Angelo explores a wide variety of genres with great success. This is a tough album to deny.… Expand
  7. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.09.0
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz    … Expand
  8. geedup
    Dec 18, 2014
    3
    I don't get it. This albumwas noise which overtakes D'Angelo's voice-or what may be left of it. I say that cuz' its not really heard. UnlikeI don't get it. This albumwas noise which overtakes D'Angelo's voice-or what may be left of it. I say that cuz' its not really heard. Unlike his classic, debut album which is all his voice. Forget all that talk of "a step forward" for him as an artist...forget all that "artistry" view. The fact is there is music here, in that there are musical notes that I can recognize. But good music, no.… Expand

See all 41 User Reviews

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1
#1 Best Album of 2014
28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2014
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2014

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