Episode two details the creation of Voodoo through marathon sessions at Electric Lady Studios from 1995 to 2000, where D'Angelo, Questlove, Pino Palladino, and Roy Hargrove pioneered the "drunk groove"—playing without click tracks to create hypnotic, behind-the-beat rhythms inspired by Soul Train episodes and James Brown's bandleader techniques. Released January 25, 2000, Voodoo debuted at number one and earned universal critical acclaim for its revolutionary sound. However, the February 2000 "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" video—a single continuous shot of a shirtless, vulnerable D'Angelo—became a cultural earthquake that ultimately destroyed him. While the video redefined Black masculinity and reversed the male gaze, audiences objectified him relentlessly, demanding he strip at concerts and ignoring his musicianship. Despite winning two Grammys in 2001, D'Angelo retreated to Richmond, spiraling into alcoholism, depression, and addiction. The episode chronicles his 2005 DUI arrest, the circulated mugshot, and nearly a decade of silence marked by occasional collaborations, unfinished recordings, and the crushing burden of perfectionism and fame. His appearance in the 2023 documentary Sly Lives! reveals his understanding of the burden of Black genius, setting up his eventual comeback.
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