D'Angelo performs at the 2012 Made in American festival in Philadelphia, PA. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
D'Angelo performs at the 2012 Made in American festival in Philadelphia, PA. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
D’Angelo performs at the 2012 Made in American festival in Philadelphia, PA. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Yohana Desta, MASHABLE

(Mashable.com)—Some messiahs take their time.

It took 14 years, but D’Angelo’s third album, Black Messiah, finally landed on Dec. 15. And its timing is impeccable.

The politically charged record dropped in the middle of unrest over police brutality, particularly the killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Activists have led street-sweeping protests, calling for reform against decades of minority deaths at the hands of cops. Crowds chanting “Black lives matter!” and “I can’t breathe!” have shut down major highways and bridges, disrupting everyday life.

This is why, after years of waiting around, D’Angelo rushed to release the record. What makes it so effective is its deliberate purpose — a protest album, not just a single dedicated to the unrest.

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