On October 14, the music industry lost a visionary when D’Angelo passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was just 51.
The news came as a shock to millions, as the R&B superstar had not revealed his diagnosis publicly, and only those closest to him knew he was ill. From the moment that news outlets shared obituaries and people began talking about the loss on social media, sales of several of his most celebrated compositions exploded, which is a common sight whenever an artist of his stature passes away.
D’Angelo only released three albums during his decades-long career, but he leaves behind an incredible legacy — one which he posthumously adds to this frame as multiple tracks debut across several Billboard charts. The singer-songwriter even scores his first No. 1 on a handful of tallies in the United States just days following his passing.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” Becomes D’Angelo’s First No. 1
D’Angelo’s most successful song in America this week is “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The tune was one of his most famous in life, and as fans mourn, it’s the track that most have turned to.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” debuts on four Billboard charts, and it leads two of them. D’Angelo posthumously earns his first champion on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and R&B Digital Song Sales charts as the cut launches in first place.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” Hits the Top 10
The same R&B classic also debuts on two other tallies, and it enters the top 10 everywhere it can be found. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” starts at No. 7 on the Hot R&B Songs list — Billboard’s ranking of the most consumed R&B tracks, which are compiled using a methodology that includes sales, streaming activity, and radio airplay — while also coming in at No. 10 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart.
“Lady” and “Brown Sugar” Becomes Bestsellers
Three of D’Angelo’s singles become bestsellers in America, and they are separated from one another by a relatively small number of copies, as it seems that longtime followers and casual listeners alike flocked to this trio of tunes.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” arrives on multiple charts with 1,900 pure sales, according to Luminate. “Lady” comes in with 1,700, while “Brown Sugar” starts with just over 1,400 sales in the past tracking frame.
It’s worth noting that D’Angelo passed away on a Wednesday, which means that listeners in America only had less than two days in which to purchase these tracks and turn them into charting hits before a new tracking frame began.
D’Angelo’s Posthumous Sales Surge
D’Angelo scores four hits on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and R&B Digital Song Sales rankings this week. Following “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” are “Lady,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Cruisin,” which all manage to begin their time inside the top five.
D’Angelo Claims His First Top 10 Hits on Hot R&B Songs
On the Hot R&B Songs chart, D’Angelo posthumously earns his first three top 10 smashes out of five total career placements. “Lady” begins its time on the tally at No. 8, while “Brown Sugar” debuts at No. 10.
D’Angelo Reaches Billboard’s Sales Chart for the First Time
When it comes to the Digital Song Sales chart, which tracks the bestselling tunes on platforms like iTunes and Amazon, regardless of style, only “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” manages to enter the highest tier. “Lady” and “Brown Sugar” come close to the top 10 as they launch at Nos. 13 and 17, respectively. D’Angelo had never before appeared on the tally, and now claims three career wins.
Fans Push D’Angelo’s Music Back Onto the Charts
It’s likely that D’Angelo will continue to appear on multiple Billboard rankings next frame, as by then a full seven-day tracking period will have eclipsed since his death. Fans may continue to buy and stream not only his biggest songs, but also his albums, returning them to rosters — or perhaps helping them debut on several for the first time.