By Tarshua Carter Williamson
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.
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.
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.