Neo-Soul singer D’Angelo has long been a well-respected, sought-after performer since his debut album Brown Sugar dropped in 1995. Since his Voodoo album and the unforgettable song and video for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, he has become somewhat of a disappearing act with appearances only seen every few years.
Fans were getting excited when they saw he had linked up with long-time collaborators The Roots at their annual Roots Picnic. But that excitement quickly turned to concern when D’Angelo dropped out of the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing medical complications related to a previous surgery.
On Friday (May 23), the iconic R&B artist announced through social media that he will no longer headline the Roots Picnic, scheduled for May 31 and June 1 at Philly’s The Mann in Fairmount Park. The decision was made following medical advice related to an “unforeseen” delay in his surgical recovery.
“It is with the deepest of regrets that [I] must cancel my performance at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia next weekend,” D’Angelo wrote in a statement shared through the Roots Picnic’s Instagram page. “But, due to an unforeseen medical delay regarding surgery I] had earlier this year, [I’ve] been advised by my team of specialists that the performance this weekend could further complicate matters.”
The festival added its support in the post’s caption. “Due to a longer-than-expected surgical recovery, @thedangelo won’t be able to join us at Roots Picnic this year. We’re sending love and keeping him in our thoughts as he continues to heal!” organizers wrote.
The 17th annual Roots Picnic will still go forward with a stacked lineup including headliners Meek Mill and Lenny Kravitz. Other performers include GloRilla, Miguel, Tems, Latto, Kaytranada, and Jeezy.
D’Angelo has not played live since 2022, when he dropped by the Netflix Is a Joke festival for a surprise performance. Before that, he played a big show at the Apollo Theater in February 2021. He’s not released an album since 2014’s Black Messiah.
What His Recovery Looks Like After Surgery
Recovery after surgery involves a period of healing and regaining strength and function after a surgical procedure. D’Angelo’s recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and individual factors. It’s a process that requires patience, proper care, and adherence to medical advice.
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What to Expect in the Immediate Post-Op Period:
Recovery Room:
After surgery, he had be moved to a recovery room (post-anesthesia care unit) where vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, breathing) are closely monitored.
Anesthesia Effects:
He may have felt groggy or sleepy as he recovered from anesthesia, and may have experienced nausea or vomiting.
Pain Management:
Pain medication probably had to be administered to manage discomfort, and that pain should be communicated to his care team.
Breathing Exercises:
Deep breathing exercises and the use of a spirometer can help prevent lung complications like pneumonia.
Monitoring:
His recovery room team monitored vital signs, checked for any complications, and assessed his level of consciousness.
Diet:
Initially, D’Angelo may only be given fluids like ice chips or clear liquids to prevent nausea and vomiting.
Rest:
The importance of resting after surgery is stressed by doctors because your body is going to do a lot of healing while sleeping. After all, your body does the majority of its healing while you’re asleep. It’s important that he’s able to take rest–even if it’s just a nap–whenever he needs to.
Potential Complications After His Surgery
Infection: Monitor the surgical site for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus).
Blood Clots: Be aware of the risks of blood clots and take steps to prevent them (e.g., walking regularly).
Wound Healing Problems: Ensure the wound is healing properly and report any issues to your doctor.
Pain: If pain is severe or doesn’t respond to prescribed medication, contact your doctor.
Personal Struggles and Other D’Angelo Health Issues
After the release of his second album, Voodoo, D’Angelo became more conscious of and uncomfortable with his status as a sex symbol. Additionaly, after the tour, he returned to his home in Richmond, Virginia, disappearing from the public eye. Several of D’Angelo’s peers and affiliates have noted the commercial impact of the “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video as a contributing factor to D’Angelo’s period of absence from the music scene. His former music manager, Dominique Trenier, explained his disappointment in the music video’s impact in a 2008 interview for Spin magazine. Trenier was quoted as saying that “to this day, in the general populace’s memory, he’s the naked dude”.
According to tour manager Alan Leeds, the experience “took away his confidence, because he’s not convinced why any given fan is supporting him.” Following the suicide of his close friend, MTV-affiliate Fred Jordan, in April 2001, he started to develop a drinking problem. As his alcoholism escalated, plans for a live album and a Soultronics studio effort, both originally set for after the tour, were scrapped, and impatient Virgin executives cut off funding for the expected 2004 solo album.
That same year, after a series of personal issues with relationships ending and depression, D’Angelo’s personal problems worsened, descending to drug and alcohol addiction. In January 2005 he was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine. Various mugshots began circulating around the time, showing the singer looking overweight and unhealthy, in stark contrast to the muscular D’Angelo seen in promotion for the album, Voodoo. In September 2005, a week after being sentenced on the drug charges, he was involved in a car accident, but ended up recovering from his wounds months after.
Now, as fans look forward to future, many share words of encouragement and “get-well-soon” wishes to keep the artist encouraged.
