Brown Sugar (D'Angelo album)
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:43:11 AM Wikipedia source
Brown Sugar is the debut studio album by the American musician D'Angelo, released on July 3, 1995, through EMI. The album was recorded during 1994 and 1995 in sessions at Battery Studios and RPM Studios in New York City and at the Pookie Lab in Sacramento. Its production, instrumentation, arrangements, and songwriting were primarily handled by D'Angelo, who employed both vintage recording equipment and modern electronic devices. The songs feature earnest lyrics about love and romance, set against a fusion of contemporary R&B and traditional soul music with elements of funk, quiet storm, and hip hop music. Brown Sugar debuted at number 6 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, selling 300,000 copies in its first two months. With the help of its four singles, it spent sixty-five weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and received Platinum certification within a year of its release. Brown Sugar was met with widespread acclaim and earned D'Angelo accolades including four Grammy Award nominations. Regarded by music journalists as a pivotal release in neo soul, the album brought commercial exposure to the burgeoning musical movement amid the prominence of producer-driven, digitally approached R&B. Brown Sugar is also widely credited with launching the neo-soul movement, with the term "neo soul" in fact even being coined by D'Angelo's manager Kedar Massenburg in the short time after the album became a success.
Infobox
Released
July 3, 1995
Recorded
1994–1995
Studio
Battery (New York City) RPM (New York City) Pookie Lab (Sacramento)
Genre
Neo soul R&B soul funk
Length
53:17
Label
EMI
Producer
D'Angelo Bob Power Ali Shaheed Muhammad Raphael Saadiq
Tables
Professional ratings · Critical reception and legacy
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Review scores
Chicago Tribune
Review scores
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
A
The Guardian
The Guardian
Review scores
The Guardian
Review scores
MSN Music (Expert Witness)
MSN Music (Expert Witness)
Review scores
MSN Music (Expert Witness)
Review scores
A−
NME
NME
Review scores
NME
Review scores
9/10
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Review scores
Pitchfork
Review scores
9.2/10
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Review scores
Rolling Stone
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Spin
Spin
Review scores
Spin
Review scores
8/10
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| Entertainment Weekly | A |
| The Guardian | |
| MSN Music (Expert Witness) | A− |
| NME | 9/10 |
| Pitchfork | 9.2/10 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin | 8/10 |
· Personnel
1
1
#
1
Title
"Brown Sugar"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammed Produced by D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Drum programming by Ali Shaheed Muhammad Recorded at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Soundtrack, NYC Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot
2
2
#
2
Title
"Alright"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC
3
3
#
3
Title
"Jonz in My Bonz"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo and Angie Stone Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell, Chaz Harper Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Battery Studios, NYC
4
4
#
4
Title
"Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC
5
5
#
5
Title
"Shit, Damn, Motherfucker"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC
6
6
#
6
Title
"Smooth"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo and Luther Archer Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Bass by Larry Grenadier Guitar by Mark Whitfield Drums by Gene Lake All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC
7
7
#
7
Title
"Cruisin'"
Notes
Written by William Robinson and Marvin Tarplin Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Orchestra conductor and arranger: Dunn Pierson Orchestra contractor and copyist: Eugene Bianco Flute and piccolo: Laura Vivino Violins: Gerald Tarack, Marilyn Wright, Regis Iandorio, Matthew Raimondi, Masako Yanagita, Natalie Kriegler, Alexander Simionescu, Winterton Garvey Viola: Julien Barber, Olivia Koppell, Sue Pray, Eufrosina Railenu Cello: Jesse Levy, Seymour Barab Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell Additional recording by Butch Jones at Back Pocket Studios, NYC Mixed by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Quad Studios, NYC
8
8
#
8
Title
"When We Get By"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Trumpet by Bob "Bassy" Brockman All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Chaz Harper Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Battery Studios, NYC
9
9
#
9
Title
"Lady"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Produced by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Bass by Raphael Saadiq Piano by Tim Christian Guitar by Raphael Saadiq Additional guitar by D'Angelo Recorded by Darrin Harris at Pookie Lab, Sacramento, CA Additional recording by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell, Chaz Harper Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Quad Studios, NYC
10
10
#
10
Title
"Higher"
Notes
Written by D'Angelo, Luther Archer and Rodney Archer Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Bass by Will Lee Drums by Ralph Rolle Rhythm guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at RPM Studios, NYC Additional recording at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at RPM Studios, NYC
| # | Title | Notes |
| Brown Sugar | All songs composed, written, arranged, performed and produced by D'Angelo, except where indicated. Executive producer: Kedar Massenburg for Kedar Entertainment, Inc. A&R direction: Gary Harris and Kedar Massenburg Management: Kedar Entertainment, Inc. A&R administration: Laura Rinaldi Business management: V. Brown & Co. Legal representation: Fred Davis, Esq. Additional assistant engineers: Suz Dweyer, Julio Peralta, Martin Czember Mastered by Herb Powers Jr. at Hit Factory Mastering, NYC Art direction: Henry Marquez Design: C.M.O.N. Photography: Per Gustafson | |
| 1 | "Brown Sugar" | Written by D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammed Produced by D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Drum programming by Ali Shaheed Muhammad Recorded at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Soundtrack, NYC Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot |
| 2 | "Alright" | Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 3 | "Jonz in My Bonz" | Written by D'Angelo and Angie Stone Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell, Chaz Harper Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 4 | "Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine" | Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 5 | "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" | Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 6 | "Smooth" | Written by D'Angelo and Luther Archer Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Bass by Larry Grenadier Guitar by Mark Whitfield Drums by Gene Lake All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 7 | "Cruisin | Written by William Robinson and Marvin Tarplin Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo All instruments by D'Angelo Orchestra conductor and arranger: Dunn Pierson Orchestra contractor and copyist: Eugene Bianco Flute and piccolo: Laura Vivino Violins: Gerald Tarack, Marilyn Wright, Regis Iandorio, Matthew Raimondi, Masako Yanagita, Natalie Kriegler, Alexander Simionescu, Winterton Garvey Viola: Julien Barber, Olivia Koppell, Sue Pray, Eufrosina Railenu Cello: Jesse Levy, Seymour Barab Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell Additional recording by Butch Jones at Back Pocket Studios, NYC Mixed by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Quad Studios, NYC |
| 8 | "When We Get By" | Written by D'Angelo Produced by D'Angelo Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Trumpet by Bob "Bassy" Brockman All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Chaz Harper Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Battery Studios, NYC |
| 9 | "Lady" | Written by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Produced by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq Bass by Raphael Saadiq Piano by Tim Christian Guitar by Raphael Saadiq Additional guitar by D'Angelo Recorded by Darrin Harris at Pookie Lab, Sacramento, CA Additional recording by G-Spot at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: Rob Farrell, Chaz Harper Mixed by Russell Elevado at Battery Studios, NYC Additional engineering by Tim Latham at Quad Studios, NYC |
| 10 | "Higher" | Written by D'Angelo, Luther Archer and Rodney Archer Produced by D'Angelo and Bob Power Vocal arrangements by D'Angelo All vocals by D'Angelo Musical arrangements by D'Angelo Bass by Will Lee Drums by Ralph Rolle Rhythm guitar by Bob Power All other instruments by D'Angelo Recorded by Bob Power at RPM Studios, NYC Additional recording at Battery Studios, NYC Assistant engineer: G-Spot Mixed by Bob Power at RPM Studios, NYC |
· Charts › Weekly charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (1995–1996)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peakposition
158
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1995–1996)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peakposition
66
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (1995–1996)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peakposition
47
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1995–1996)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
57
UK R&B Albums (OCC)
UK R&B Albums (OCC)
Chart (1995–1996)
UK R&B Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
10
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1995–1996)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
22
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Chart (1995–1996)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
4
| Chart (1995–1996) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 158 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 66 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 47 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 57 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) | 10 |
| US Billboard 200 | 22 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 4 |
· Charts › Weekly charts
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Peakposition
32
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
| Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan) | 32 |
· Charts › Year-end charts
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1995)
US Billboard 200
Position
176
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Chart (1995)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Position
41
| Chart (1995) | Position |
| US Billboard 200 | 176 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 41 |
· Charts › Year-end charts
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1996)
US Billboard 200
Position
70
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Chart (1996)
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
Position
12
| Chart (1996) | Position |
| US Billboard 200 | 70 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 12 |
· Charts › Singles
USPop
USPop
Year
USPop
Single
USR&B
Peakpositions
USDance
Peakpositions
USR&B Airplay
1995
1995
Year
1995
Single
"Brown Sugar"
Peakpositions
27
Peakpositions
5
Peakpositions
14
Peakpositions
26
"Cruisin'"
"Cruisin'"
Year
"Cruisin'"
Single
53
Peakpositions
10
Peakpositions
25
Peakpositions
20
1996
1996
Year
1996
Single
"Lady"
Peakpositions
10
Peakpositions
2
Peakpositions
7
Peakpositions
10
"Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"
"Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"
Year
"Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"
Single
74
Peakpositions
25
Peakpositions
2
Peakpositions
—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.
Year
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.
| Year | Single | Peakpositions | ||||
| USPop | USR&B | USDance | USR&B Airplay | |||
| 1995 | "Brown Sugar" | 27 | 5 | 14 | 26 | |
| "Cruisin | 53 | 10 | 25 | 20 | ||
| 1996 | "Lady" | 10 | 2 | 7 | 10 | |
| "Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine" | 74 | 25 | 2 | — | ||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | ||||||
· Certifications
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000^
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/album/lady-us-single-mw0000647528
- "D'Angelo, Grammy award winning singer whose 'Brown Sugar' launched the neo-soul movement, dies at 51"https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-10-14/dangelo-dead-singer-neo-soul
- "Popscene: Neo Soul"https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/popscene-neo-soul/
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- Daily News
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- Richmond Times-Dispatchhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-neo-soul-past/170310800/
- Winston-Salem Journalhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-little-sugar-fo/170310885/
- Toronto Starhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-doing-voodoo/170311062/
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- Brown Sugarhttps://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/08/17/dangelobrown-sugar-emi-star-star-starby-fusing/
- The Guardian
- Brown Sugar
- Brown Sugarhttps://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/dangelo-brown-sugar/
- Brown Sugarhttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/brown-sugar-19950907
- Brown Sugarhttps://books.google.com/books?id=rV8XFH6DQVcC&pg=PA116
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