D'Angelo, The Vanguard - The Charade (Live on SNL)

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Music video by D'Angelo and The Vanguard performing The Charade (Live on SNL).
(C) 2015 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

[@starsareangels]

This album is one of the best things to ever happen to music. Absolutely incredible album.

[@phunkidruma]

Yeah but where is his Sign o the Times abum...at the wrecka stow?

[@kcoolmuziq]

I remember seeing D'angelo live, for the very first time, back in 95, at the House of Blues. He wouldnt even get up from behind the keyboard or even look at the audience. He was still brilliant and had everyone's attention. He has come a LONG way since then. I'm very proud of him.

[@ritmoslatinoshamilton9840]

3:42 drummer goin ham.. that was cool lol Thanks D'Angelo & The Vanguard, we need more musicians like you!

[@Yrakoy]

That was impressive! You can tell he enjoys playing both the drums and the song!

[@XavierLeeds]

Yrakoy The whole band looks like they were genuinely having fun. Music is always the best when you really ENJOY what you're doing. We can feel it.

[@bassJW]

That's Prince's old drummer John Blackwell

[@ThePurple1]

bassgrease Yes and now we have a blond girl :-(

[@Zelinc]

Also Justin Timberlake's drummer for the whole Future sex love sounds tour

[@IJ_RogersTV]

D'Angelo with the Prince like spin and the kick to go along with the clap was so DOPE!! I rewinded that part at least 20 times! Lol. This energy that this band has now is just phenomenal!! Go see D & The Vanguard when they come to your town!

[@Master85zation]

Why you think Jesse Johnson was right beside him

[@lnapjr76]

Stevie Wonder once stated that the responsibility of an artist is to raise the consciousness of his/her public. Well done, brother D'Angelo (& Vanguard). Great song. Great performance. Great visual...from the stage set, to the clothing, to the routine of the background singers. Perfection.

[@Oldmotherhell]

It's almost inconceivable how great this is.

[@LeoStellium113]

wow see this is why i like d'angelo. he is a smart man who stands up for his people. love ya man.

[@nicolew8943]

Outstanding performance. Made me kind of emotional seeing all the background singers wearing those shirts and hearing the lyrics has an affect on you.

[@lovejangie1]

Good post. I agree.

[@user-fq1ig3uy3q]

I love it!

[@fdmg]

prince, curtis mayfield, the 70s and church.. all rolled in one.. love it..

[@lovejangie1]

Nice post. Well put.

[@LowEnd57]

I always thought “Charade” was a nod to Prince and The Revolution’s “Parade” and “Around the World in a Day”. Especially the guitar riffs and licks.

[@revmd621]

Yesss!!!

[@Karl671]

Yup

[@johncm8510]

Can’t leave out George Clinton…

[@tajmacameron1693]

"Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries". D'Angelo is such a prolific artist. Sad that the lyrics could have easily been written yesterday due to the constant brutality against black women and men by those sworn to protect.

[@J-Hue]

Even more "relegated to savages, bound by the way of the deceivers." Our people have to wake up and leave this system behind. Everything about it is poison for us.

[@vajrasiddhi]

3 albums in a span of nearly 30 years is hardly “prolific”. Don’t get me wrong: those 3 albums are impeccable masterpieces and he’s an amazing artist. But you can’t use “prolific” when discussing D’Angelo.🙏

[@dragonfly4484]

Is like sly stone and Rick James had a baby with Prince... Awesome performance..!!! Awesome performance..!!! By far the Best Performance on TV so far this year

[@lovejangie1]

Great post! I agree!

[@SuperMusicology101]

DeeRock Sounds like Genius to me he is one of the Best awesome yes!!!!!

[@bulletfastspeed]

+DeeRock This and both Kendrick performances on Colbert.

[@stephe2181]

Yeap

[@MagMusic]

9 years later, this particular performance still brings tears of rage.

[@phunkidruma]

Very well said young man....and they say Bruno Mars is good. FOOH

[@XavierLeeds]

POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS WHAT FAME SHOULD BE USED FOR. GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE. YOU DON'T SEE ARTISTS SHOW THIS TYPE OF BOLDNESS ANYMORE. LOVE IT.

[@lovejangie1]

So true. I applaud D'Angelo and his band! Great message! Historic performance!

[@lew708]

Absolutely! If the message is sent through the music and performances, then there's no denying it because it is set into your consciousness! Kendrick and J Cole have recently done similar performances!

[@XavierLeeds]

fledsup I wouldn't care if he was green with a unicorn horn coming from his chin. If the music sounds this good. People are talking bad about his weight, but even heavier he's a handsome guy. & that's coming from a straight male. I'm glad real music is back on the airwaves.

[@lovejangie1]

LivSimple I haven't seen Kendrick's performance yet. However, J Cole's performance on Letterman was emotional and great!

[@cococowboy100]

You hit it on the money, one word to sum up this performance, POWERFUL!!!

[@mistafayad2656]

D'Angelo just came from the future to warn them

[@wesswood1]

😂

[@xylinagreaves8295]

Underrated song by him.. such a powerful message!! Love him!!

[@KOSMICKEN09]

that guitar he's playing is sweet!

[@AlexMaskill]

It's by a custom shop run by Neil Moser. They mostly make guitars for extreme metal bands, it's really weird seeing D'Angelo jocking one.

[@Silencer3121]

Alloflifedecays Does Neil Moser have an association with Minarik Guitars? The story behind D'Angelo's Minarik Diablo is that Jesse Johnson(the guitarist on the Stratocaster in this video) gave it to him as a gift.

[@AlexMaskill]

Ah, no, I was just wrong. Saw a weird shape and an M on the headstock and made a bad call.

[@AfroVibez]

"The Charade" [Verse 1:] Crawling through a systematic maze And it pains to demise Pain in our eyes Strain of drownin', wading into your lies Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries (doo, doo) All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams [Chorus:] All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade [Verse 2:] Perpetrators beware say a prayer if you dare for the believers With a faith at the size of a seed enough to be redeemed (doo doo) Relegated to savages bound by the way of the deceivers So anchors be sure that you're sure we ain't no amateurs [Chorus] [Bridge:] With the veil off our eyes we'll truly see And we'll march on And it really won't take too long And it really won't take us very long [Outro:] Revealing at the end of the day, the charade All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Revealing at the end of the day, the charade All we wanted was a chance to talk Revealing at the end of the day, the charade All we wanted was a (the charade)

[@lovejangie1]

Thanks for providing lyrics!

[@vintagesoul73911]

He never sings "and it pains". It's just just "crawling through a systematic maze to demise...". Sorry metrolyrics.

[@willywill74]

Wow these lyrics are so deep I knew a message was there but i could never hear the all of the lyrics, love it. When music makes you feel like this its a gift.

[@anadbeau]

Thanks so much for posting the lyrics! It is not enough to say BLACK LIVES MATTER. A true musical artist and conscious thinker, Its Only Right that, he has at least one joint from his latest project about the social/political issues. Greatness In The Making! LONG LIVE THE BLACK MESSIAH (LMAO!)

[@harkra]

AnadBeau Most of the album is actually. 1000 deaths is socially driven too. This album is a classic we should be extremely happy getting in these pretty dismal times of music and media.

[@KyOte13]

D'Angelo is on a whole NOTHA LEVEL🔥 This Kat is the last great Artist in popular music... there hasn't been anything like this since him... please come back, D 🙏

[@johnozed]

I shed tears everytime I see this video.

[@lildadee1]

this shit still goes hard af

[@scottheins]

Years from now I'll tell my kids about the first time I saw this. The music, the message, the clothing, the set design--all perfect. Notice that the "Grand Central" subway station sign in the background; die-in protests in the name of Mike Brown and Eric Garner were recently banned in the NYC terminal. D and the Vanguard are doing their part and then some. #BLACKLIVESMATTER

[@lovejangie1]

Nice post. Thanks for pointing out the Grand Central sign.

[@chark4734]

Ha! Will you tell them about Mike Brown and Eric Garner resisting arrest and/or attacking an officer? Are you going to tell your kids that bad things such as death can possibly happen when you resist arrest and/or attack an officer?

[@scottheins]

Scott Keith FOH with your racist bullsh*t.

[@chark4734]

Stacy M Ha! I gathered that info from CNN, MSNBC and the AP. Not only that, but I watched the video of him many times over. Also, you ask why was Brown's body left in the street for 5 hours? First of all, it was 4 hours and you are aware that a large angry crowd was forming around the crime scene threatening police, people running up to the body and shots were fired which prevented police from moving quicker. You can look that info up on the St. Louis Post Dispatch, which gives a time frame of the crime scene and why it took so long.

[@chark4734]

***** They did not kill Garner on purpose, John. Garner was breaking a NYC law and yes, it was a stupid one. It is the cops job to enforce those stupid laws that stupid politicians create, so blame the money grabbing politicians. The cops who came in contact with Garner did so in a CALM manner. This is not the first time Garner has been in trouble, but his 30 plus time, so Garner was known. Again, the two cops who were seen in the Garner video CALMLY approached Garner, which Garner grew angry and loud. They calmly told him what he did wrong, but Garner wasn't having any of it. When the two cops CALMLY went to arrest Garner, Garner RESISTED ARREST by pushing the hands of two cops away and told them "Please, do not touch me!" That is when the cop behind Garner, which Garner knew was behind, put his forearm around Garner's neck to RESTRAIN Garner and NOT kill him. At this moment, Garner could have easily said "Okay, okay, I give up", but he did not and kept moving around which forced the cops to put Garner on the ground. Yes, Garner could be LOUDLY and CLEARLY heard saying "I cannot breathe" multiple times, but do not you think someone who can be heard and loudly saying "I cannot breathe" is someone who can breathe because those who cannot breathe cannot speak?

[@rosalindjackson6441]

Jesse Johnson (The Time) Guitar John Blackwell - Drums Pino Palladino - Bass Kendra Foster - BGV's

[@dannyflay8671]

Thank you! I’ve been searching for the bass player for this song for almost an hour, google, Wikipedia, etc

[@sashab9449]

Daniel Sharper i oh

[@onlyonecandacehazzard]

Isaiah Shirley is also on the other Lead and BGV’s.

[@t33nyplaysp0p]

@@onlyonecandacehazzard thats Isaiah Sharkey

[@starw4396]

This is one of my favorite songs on the album! A great song with a meaningful message. For the past 2 months I have been hooked on Black Messiah and his older stuff too! I can't hardly listen to anything else. Love him! #TheBest 🙌🙌🙌

[@lightbrown95]

Im a bass player and normally freak out over Pino but Jesse Johnson on lead guitar murdered this joint... Dude totally went in! Dang

[@HUSTLEMAN2]

Yall know that's Jesse Johnson of THE TIME on guitar under that there hat?

[@kjlphotographyAD2011]

+RON HUSTLEMAN Harris dude on drums also plays for Prince, Mr. John Blackwell

[@HUSTLEMAN2]

+kj Lee Oooooh snap

[@nickb3250]

+RON HUSTLEMAN Harris Don't forget about Pino on bass

[@HUSTLEMAN2]

+Gibson Blues Cool!

[@brucekentnyc]

+RON HUSTLEMAN Harris thanks for the Heads up I do see that is him. I did not see this episode and I did not even know he had a new Album D'angelo. I have been out of the loop for 10 years. Last album I bought Gwen Stefani & jewel Santana. Dayum!! I have been in a Solar Flare sleep. Jessie is Back. This does sound so much like 0(+>...LOL

[@wallace19100]

A sad and beautiful song. Much respect to D'Angelo.

[@Karl671]

Yup

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Splendid 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👌🏿👌🏿 Rest In Eternal Power My Friend Drummer John Blackwell ❤️ Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬 👊🏿🖤

[@meghanrobbinsbrooks8671]

This is a performance I can watch 300x in a row. And show my kids. Brilliant showman, talent, and social commentary.

[@DaGeneralPatton]

Before Beyoncé's Formation and Kendrick Lamar's medley... there was Charade by D'Angelo...raised fists, body outlines, hoodies, #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter

[@juscruzenit]

Yeessssss EXACTLY!

[@SteffigirlMusic]

So glad to hear the man again. PINO on bass! And LOVE the girl!!

[@modifiedcontent]

Kendra Foster of p-funk

[@Ty-mr2kq]

This was all D'angelo wanted to be known for and seen as. His music. Untitled the video turned him into a sex symbol and no one appreciated his music after that. That is what drove him to be reclusive and a hermit for many years. The Black lives matter movement, with the police killings of young Black men, that is what brought him back to the light. His album Black Messiah was needed. It made him ready again.

[@ishtapinks]

I agree with you. I heard him in an interview say it's not true but I still agree with you. He is one of the best musicians in history and should be revered for his genius not objectified as a sex object. Those 15 years without a new album was punishment for fans who forgot that. And Black Messiah is challenging for good reason.

[@Ty-mr2kq]

@@ishtapinks I heard him say that in an interview as well. He also said that he would do it all over again too. Even though from many sources we've heard that the Untitled video was his demise.

[@chrishendricks8588]

After his long hiatus D'angelo returned more evolved as a performer and it's evident on this SNL performance. the Prince influence is in full effect on this track from just the title alone which is the name of the legendary parade outtakes bootleg. D is the real thing a genuine artist who can take what has touched him as a artist and create something that all his. one of my favorite tracks from the album he is what those before him were...a true visionary with one foot in the past and the other in the present.

[@shalontecross2687]

2019 and I am still appreciating the significance of the song and this performance!

[@Afrocentricpoet]

i listen to this song atleast 4 times a week

[@djangojenkins7019]

I used to listen to it like 4 times an hour. Seriously at work I would put this on replay. You hear so many different things in terms of instruments and timing. Man this dude is a musical genius. This has a Prince feel to it. I love this shit.

[@XavierLeeds]

The whole band looks like they were genuinely having fun. Music is always the best when you really ENJOY what you're doing. We can feel it.

[@tyestadams8867]

These lyrics are so effin powerful...this performance is beautiful

[@carlosconesa]

Why the volume so low? This needs to be heard in Space!

[@christopherbethea2344]

This Brother is a Living Legend. The song and this performance are both unbelievably touching.

[@LOLittleHero]

everything about this performance is perfect. the instrumental, the vocals, the stage,.. amazing!! loved it so much

[@deveroth8871]

that spin and little leg kick sort of made my life.

[@dhoward5587]

deveroth Prince reincarnated

[@XNOW716]

Dangelos muffled lyrics has always been intentional. The purpose is for you to be drawn into the sound, then after repeated listening you hear his social political messages.

[@israel8847]

It is wizardry.

[@barrymore87]

That is not the purpose!! That's just his style!

[@aydinatasoy8179]

@Deese Knutz nah watch his interview with tavis smiley, hes a smart, genuine and well spoken guy.

[@marone0324]

@@williamperri3437 It's a guy with the name "Dees Nutz" not expecting much from his opinion

[@claytonmckinnie4065]

Dig that..

[@fledsup]

This is amazing. I like this version better than the album version. Not that the album is bad, but there is this intense clarity and its mind blowing that this is live. Each singer is on point, never overstepping D'Angelo, yet hangin right with him. I can understand the lyrics much better than the album version. Band is on point. Spiritual.

[@Kim-hv9xh]

Pino Palladino rockin the bass.., what a legend.

[@VonneDutch]

Prince all over this.

[@Yrakoy]

This gave me goosebumps! Amazing performance and message. The band was on point. The dance moves only enhance the message with the hands raised at million miles we walked. Very relevant and meaningful. Welcome back D'Angelo and The Vanguards!

[@shoottrue5115]

The string section contains legends.

[@missyb733]

The drummer is killing it!

[@rodrigotorresouza]

Most powerful song from my favorite album of the decade. Huge!!!

[@deandrejones8271]

I'm telling U. This is one of the most powerful songs and yet one of the most powerful band on the PLANET since Prince and the Revolution made a world smash hit Purple Rain. D'Angelo and the Vanguard has become my one and only favorite band 4ever in this millennium. Go D'Angelo, Go Jesse, and i also saw John Blackwell on the drums, he is still magnificent since the Rainbow Children (prince). R.I.P. Michael Brown. Much love for Ferguson.

[@briankubarycz296]

This remains one of the best things I've ever seen.

[@khaliaf]

SERIOUSLY

[@Zelinc]

I love seeing the whole makeup of the Vanguard. Pino on that bass and Blackwell on those drums

[@dclarkmusic]

Incredible song! I hope they release a live version of this album so you can actually hear it. Hated the production on the original release!

[@uso_Jus2SmooTh94]

I've always been influenced by that west coast hip hop and the old school soul, funk and Rnb but D is something else. My homies could never come around but I was always a fan of this man's music since brown sugar. Im glad he finally dropped a new album and this performance should wake this generation up and take notes. Another great performance by d'angelo.

[@MsSchwarzerrabe]

Such a beautiful man!

[@ErnieGray]

I was working on my house when my friend from up the road dropped by and told me that D'Angelo dropped a full LP without any warning (the day of the release). I immediately stopped what I was doing, downloaded it, cranked it, and we just sat there slack jawed, awestruck and dumbfounded. Brilliant work. 10/10.

[@notcommunistcrapshoot3098]

One of the best musicians that's ever graced that stage.

[@NicoleABaileyR]

All we wanted was a chance to talk 'Stead we only got outlined in chalk Feet have bled a million miles we've walked Revealing at the end of the day, the charade

[@deucecaro]

1,946 days later....still true :/

[@LouisJr]

🗣“The Charaaaade” 🎶

[@solargeknowles4354]

One of my fave songs from his album. When I first heard it, I was on the floor. My body wanted to sway and move and groove, but i wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. The best songs are the ones that make you dance and cry. LOVE D'Angelo forever for his contributions to music.

[@PecsInDaCity]

D'Angelo is simply amazing. The message is clear, the music is powerful & beautiful. This is what has been missing in music for the past umpteen years. Thank you D'.

[@iloverette]

Okay. now I'm bawling. I am so grateful he's back. & I am so envious of the people that'll get to see him live at the Apollo. I really hope he'll do even a short tour in the US (that I can afford).

[@Mygracegrace]

IIIII KKKNNNNOOOOOWWWWW. I saw the apollo sign for d'angelo. 3 days later i went to get tix SOLD OUT. Tell me why i thought i could trick the system or find a loop hole to get them tix.lol maybe he will feel so great that night he announces an encore show.

[@iloverette]

yeah. everything was sold out as soon as I went to the ticket page. and the people who are reselling them aren't playing with those prices. I can't afford it. I really want to see him perform this album live. I saw him at Afro Punk and it was the greatest experience.

[@shainarobinson2836]

Hey ladies he's having another concert. Tix go on sale Friday. It's at the Best Buy theater in NY!

[@iloverette]

Shaina Robinson OMG! you are the absolute best. what site you use to buy tix? also, dd you go to the other show?? how was it? (I'm sure it was stellar, I just wanna hear about it lol)

[@iloverette]

Shaina Robinson no worries. Found the site. :)

[@mehtavideo]

I was friends with Lewis sound engineer and got to see Lewis live in Ronnie Scott's in 97'. Being a singer/songwriter myself, I was crazy to meet him after the gig, but I was too awestruck to go up and shake his hand and say hi.😢 He's up there with D'angelo as a singular talent!!! 👏👏👏

[@pddrn11]

D'Angelo is an awesome performer

[@carsoni4]

One of the best late-night musical performances of all time!

[@willarroz6703]

My favorite off the album

[@Alexz_Archivz]

Man, I love this song! After I saw/heard this 4 the 1st time on SNL, I went str8 2 Amazon 2 download it!

[@AJ-df2zv]

In 2019... THIS is still powerful and moves me to tears. Thank you, D'Angelo.

[@Cherri65]

Love the performance. It sends a very powerful message that some of us can relate to. So happy to see him on stage again after all this time!!!

[@Will008]

Jesse Johnson on Lead... Killin!!!

[@cococowboy100]

Best performance I've seen live in a long time. Great MUSIC.

[@Toptier1111]

I like this version better then the album version

[@phunkidruma]

yeah because he was on his prince shyt. Imagine prince on guitar instead of jesse!

[@joshuarobertsmith3425]

drummer went wild in background at 3:40

[@megustadiscos]

love it.... prince will be proud

[@mndbdysol76]

Love the message and D'Angelo as a background singer I have to admire your background. Especially Ms. Kendra the alto and the Gentlemen singing soprano just as good as any I have EVER heard!!! My Lawd!!!!

[@nextangel]

John Blackwell at his best.... I knew that he'd love playing this especially with that Prince feel of the song.

[@holeshotv311]

Love it! Great talent and the lead guitarist is awesome!

[@ericboisseau6215]

Drummer is killing it!!!!!!

[@munkymaster86]

a true artist in an age thats yearning for one. Powerful song that sums up a lot of feelings in the states right now.

[@calebgrant9554]

Came back to this song for refuge

[@amyrose3792]

Artistic and ingenious. From the performance and lyrics, to the choice in wearing a hoodie, the symbolic tape/chalk on the ground, even the choreography. Creative genius. Truly brilliant.

[@SuperTimvid]

Deep and powerful

[@mohammedalwa909]

This is just out of this fucking world

[@inesm.779]

One love D'angelo 4ever

[@tyestadams8867]

Vocal and music all arrangements 🔥🔥

[@cheyennegomez2376]

I love D’angelo so much! I love that you can hear his influences in his music.

[@1000antonius]

Wow wow wow wow. Going there where Prince always dreamed about. The chemistry between D'Angelo and the band. Unbelievable. This is sublime.

[@lovejangie1]

Good post. Well said.

[@obedirect5491]

exquisite,maddening, soft, powerful..just a few of the adjectives brought to mind in 2020.

[@inspectorbudget]

What an amazing band for one of the great musical visionaries of our time. They are well established in their own right. So good to see Jesse Johnson. Why the incognito? Come from under that hat & let em know. You were killin it! Pino, Kendra, awesome! Hope y'all stay together for awhile.

[@denish1]

A masterpiece by D'Angelo, Kendra Foster (the young lady SERVING IT, on the right) and Questlove...hands down a fave

[@dragonfly4484]

Is like Sly Stone and Rick James had a baby with Prince, and some where Jamie Foxx is hiding somewhere watching .... Awesome performance..!!! By far the Best Performance on TV so far this year

[@pendereldubois3536]

The timing of 'Charade" is compelling and a must-hear.. allows current issues being exposed.and answering questions of current turmoil and violence. Thank you, D'Angelo. Keep it up. You are making a difference!!!

[@cosmai23]

Brilliant stuff, killer band. Just what we need!

[@JNo-sk5mz]

They sound so good live 😊

[@SmokeOne89]

Pure genius....

[@1humanonthe3rdrock]

Freaking awesome! THIS is how you stay current, use your voice, make a difference.STILL sounding good my man!

[@angeliquesoul6719]

D'Angelo, John Blackwell (drummer) and Jesse Johnson (electric guitar) and The Vanguards did an amazing job.

[@curtique]

powerful song..jesse johnson kills it going out..

[@SheMeetsCity]

YES D'Angelo! I just love this album and his comeback! And would anyone love to hear Prince do this song?! :-D

[@백선재-l1c]

this gave me a goosebumps

[@lovelamarcos1984]

Only 300 something views, this is madness! This is a timeless artist!

[@lovejangie1]

Give it time. There are at least three videos of this performance.

[@MajLouisa]

can't get enough, i still come watch that performance again and again...