Musiq Soulchild
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Musiq Soulchild | |
|---|---|
 Musiq Soulchild, 2016. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Taalib Johnson |
| Also known as | The Husel |
| Born | September 16, 1977 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instrument |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | www.musiqsoulchild.com |
Taalib Johnson, professionally known as Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq (/ˈmjuːsɪk/; born September 16, 1977[1]) is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel influences fused with hip hop.
Musiq Soulchild has had 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and 7 hit singles.
He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train.[2]
He has also earned award nominations from MTV, the American Music Awards, the NAACP, and 13 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq.
Biography and personal life
Musiq was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in a strict Muslim household. During his teenage years he built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MC's free styling on the open mic circuit, scatting at jazz clubs or just performing an a cappella for strangers on the streets, which is where he got the name "Musiq" and later added "Soulchild". He cites as his inspiration such icons as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway as his most influential musical icons.[2][3] He dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music.
In August 2009, his son Zachariah was born with 702 singer Kameelah Williams.[4] Zach was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in 2013.[5] On October 30th, 2017, he welcomed a daughter with his ex-girlfriend Ashley "Tiyumba" Wright named Satori Solaris. He dated Wright from September 2016 to May 2017. As of January 2018 he's dating Kameelah.
Name origin
"There were people who knew of me but they didn't really know me; they just knew me as 'that music dude.' So after getting that so much, I was like 'Just call me Musiq.' It was so fresh to me because if I had to be called anything, I would have wanted to be called Music. That's how much I dug it; when you see me, I want you to automatically think of music."[2] The stage name "Musiq Soulchild" is techinally two ideas. 'Musiq' is the front man and 'Soulchild' is the idea behind it. It's basically me as an artist in this generation, representing the traditions and the legacies of the past soul stars."[2]
Career
He has also been featured in television and print ads for McDonald's, Nike, Inc., Coca-Cola, Levi Strauss & Co. and The Gap.
He made a special appearance on The CW's #1 comedy The Game on Monday, October 29, 2007, as well as the UPN sitcom All of Us.
On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships titled "143 - Love According To Musiq".
2000–2004: Def Soul Recordings
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing, in 2000. Its lead single was "Just Friends (Sunny)". Musiq's second single "Love" spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Musiq's second album, 2002's Juslisen, debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum; it also debuted number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and all-genre Billboard 200 charts.[6] The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top tens.
In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar, which went gold.[6] It included the singles "Forthenight" and "Whoknows".
Musiq took a four-year break and changed his management to Solqi Management, as well as his record label from Def Soul to Atlantic Records.
2006–2012: Atlantic Records
In March 2007, Musiq's released his fourth album Luvanmusiq. Its singles were "B.U.D.D.Y.". an uptempo track,[6] "Teachme", and "Makeyouhappy".
His fifth album OnMyRadio was released on December 2, 2008. The lead single "Radio" was a complete contrast to the usual smooth neo soul Musiq fans were accustomed to. The following singles were the duet IfULeave featuring Mary J. Blige; and the ballad SoBeautiful. "SoBeautiful" marked the first collaboration between Musiq and the producer JR Hutson, after Hutson had spent "about eight months" trying to get Musiq to come by his studio.[7] According to Hutson, the two plan to work together again.[7]
In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.[7]
His last album for Atlantic MusiqInTheMagiq was released on May 3, 2011, available on CDs and also as a digital download. The first single was "Anything" featuring Swizz Beatz,[8] followed by "Yes".
2013-present Independent music
In September 2013 he released a duet album with Syleena Johnson entitled 9ine. This album was a compilation of nine reggae songs recorded in nine days on the independent Shanachie[6] label.
Also in September 2013, Musiq Soulchild announced his departure from Atlantic Records and becoming an independent artist. He revealed he is now signed to record producer Warryn Campbell's label My Block Records.[9][10][11] Musiq previously worked with Campbell on his first two albums on Atlantic - 2007's Luvanmusiq and 2008's OnMyRadio.
He released an EP titled The Husel through DatPiff on July 30th, 2014.[12]
In April 2016, he released his first independent solo album through My Block/E1 Music, Life on Earth.[13] The lead single is "I Do". Shortly after, he moved to a new label, with eOne/SoulStar Music Company.
In 2017, he released two new singles "Simple Things" and "Start Over" set for a new album titled Feel the Real due on September 15, 2017.[14][15] He premiered music videos for the tracks in April 2017.[16]
Other music
Musiq Soulchild has featured on
- the song "Nothing at All (Santana song)" from Carlos Santana's October 2002 album Shaman;
- The Roots's November 2002 Phrenology on the song "Break You Off";
- rapper Skillz's December 2002 I Ain't Mad No More on the song "Wave Ya Hands!";
- "Are You Experienced? (song)" on March 2004's Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix album;
- Black Ice's September 2006 The Death of Willie Lynch on the song "Takeyatime";
- rapper Lloyd Banks's October 2006 album Rotten Apple (Lloyd Banks album) on the song Addicted;
- "Reasons" on the March 2007 tribute album Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire;
- on Talib Kweli's August 2007 album Eardrum on the song "Oh My Stars";
- Ice Cube's August 2008 album Raw Footage on the song "Why Me?";
- Rapsody's November 2017 album Laila's Wisdom on the song "A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love".
Soundtrack songs
Soulchild has also appeared on the soundtrack to Tyler Perry's February 2007 movie Daddy's Little Girls.
He also lent a song from his March 2007 album Luvanmusiq to the soundtrack for Perry's later movie Why Did I Get Married?, released October 2007.
He then recorded a remake of Arrested Development's song "People Everyday" with British rapper and singer Estelle for the soundtrack to Tyler Perry's March 2008 Meet the Browns (film) entitled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications (sales threshold) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US R&B [18] | |||
| Aijuswanaseing |
|
24 | 4 | |
| Juslisen |
|
1 | 1 |
|
| Soulstar |
|
13 | 3 |
|
| Luvanmusiq |
|
1 | 1 |
|
| OnMyRadio |
|
11 | 1 | |
| MusiqInTheMagiq |
|
8 | 3 | |
| Life on Earth |
|
27 | 3 | |
| Feel the Real |
|
126 | 16 | |
Collaboration albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications (sales threshold) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US R&B [18] | |||
| 9ine (with Syleena Johnson) |
|
— | 54 | |
EPs
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications (sales threshold) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US Holiday [18] | |||
| A Philly Soul Christmas / Christmas Musiq |
|
88 | 9 | - |
| The Husel |
|
- | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100[20] | US R&B[21] | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Just Friends (Sunny)" | 31 | 6 | Aijuswanaseing |
| "Love" | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2001 | "Girl Next Door" (featuring Ayana) | 85 | 28 | |
| 2002 | "Halfcrazy" | 16 | 2 | Juslisen |
| "Dontchange" | 17 | 3 | ||
| 2003 | "Forthenight" | 53 | 18 | Soulstar |
| 2004 | "Whoknows" | 65 | 23 | |
| 2007 | "B.U.D.D.Y." | 36 | 2 | Luvanmusiq |
| "Teachme" | 42 | 2 | ||
| "Makeyouhappy" | — | 68 | ||
| 2008 | "Radio" | — | 55 | OnMyRadio |
| "IfULeave" (featuring Mary J. Blige) | 71 | 6 | ||
| 2009 | "SoBeautiful" | 81 | 8 | |
| 2010 | "Silky Soul" | — | — | Silky Soul Music - An All-Star Tribute To Maze & Frankie Beverly |
| 2011 | "Anything" (featuring Swizz Beatz) | — | 31 | MusiqInTheMagiq |
| "Yes" | — | 24 | ||
| 2013 | "Feel the Fire" (with Syleena Johnson) | — | — | 9ine |
| 2016 | "I Do" | — | 11 | Life on Earth |
| 2017 | "Simple Things" | — | — | Feel The Real |
| "Start Over" | — | 11 |
Featured Singles
| Year | Song | US [3] |
US R&B [3] |
UK |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Break You Off" (The Roots featuring Musiq Soulchild) | 99 | 55 | 59 | Phrenology |
| 2003 | "Nothing at All" (Santana featuring Musiq Soulchild) | — | — | — | Shaman |
| 2006 | "Takeyatime" (Black Ice featuring Musiq Soulchild) | — | — | — | The Death of Willie Lynch |
| 2008 | "Why Me" (Ice Cube featuring Musiq Soulchild) | — | — | — | Raw Footage |
| "Chocolate High" (India.Arie featuring Musiq Soulchild) | 114 | 19 | — | Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics | |
| 2010 | "Forever" (The Floacist featuring Musiq Soulchild) | — | — | — | Floetic Soul |
| "Hope for Haiti" (Kim Burrell featuring Musiq Soulchild, Michelle Williams, Lil' Mo & Tye Tribbett) | — | — | — | Charity single | |
| 2012 | "Ah Yeah" (Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Chrisette Michele & Musiq Soulchild) | — | 86 | — | Black Radio |
| 2013 | "Still Believe in Love" (Demetria McKinney featuring Musiq Soulchild) | — | — | — | Non-album single |
| 2015 | "Give It To You" (Meelah featuring Musiq Soulchild) | - | - | - | TBA |
Awards and recognition
He has received awards from Billboard, BET, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, BMI, and Soul Train. Musiq has also been nominated for awards by MTV, The American Music Awards, the NAACP, and has had 13 Grammy nominations.
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Love" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 2003 | "Halfcrazy" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Juslisen | Best R&B Album | Nominated | |
| 2004 | "Forthenight" | Best Urban/Alternative Performance | Nominated |
| 2005 | "Are You Experienced?" | Best Urban/Alternative Performance | Nominated |
| 2008 | "B.U.D.D.Y." | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Luvanmusiq | Best R&B Album | Nominated | |
| 2010 | "SoBeautiful" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| "IfULeave" (feat. Mary J. Blige) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| "Chocolate High" (with India.Arie) | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | "We're Still Friends" | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| 2017 | "I Do" | Best R&B Performance | Nominated |
| 2018 | Feel the Real | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
References
- ^ Brown, Tony. "Happy Birthday Noel Gourdin and Musiq Soulchild!". wdasfm.com. iHeartMedia, Inc. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ a b c d "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c Billboard: Musiq Soulchild
- ^ http://madamenoire.com/432605/confusing-meelah-williams-shares-keeps-complicated-relationship-musiq-reality-tv-cameras
- ^ https://www.jetmag.com/life/doctors-notes/meelah-williams-works-increase-autism-awareness/
- ^ a b c d "Although known for laid back tracks, he's had a few uptempo tracks". AllMusic. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Interview With JR Hutson". HitQuarters. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ http://musiqsoulchild.com/
- ^ "YKIGS Live: Musiq Soulchild Talks Signing with Warryn Campbell, Supporting Meelah on R&B Divas, Contributing to All Genres". youknowigotsoul.com. You Know I Got Soul. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
- ^ Rucker, Jermaine. "Warryn Campbell signs Musiq Soulchild to My Block Inc". gospelbreak.com. Gospel Break. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
- ^ Murray, Jawn. "New Musiq: Soulchild signs with Warryn Campbell". alwaysalist.com. Always A List. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
- ^ http://www.datpiff.com/THE-HUSEL-THE-HUSEL-mixtape.633962.html
- ^ "VIDEO: MUSIQ SOULCHILD – I DO". thisisrnb.com. This Is RNB. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
- ^ https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Real-Musiq-Soulchild/dp/B0741JJJDH
- ^ https://www.vibe.com/2017/04/musiq-soulchild-aims-to-start-over-on-his-latest-single/
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7866190/musiq-soulchild-new-songs-start-over-simple-things-videos
- ^ a b c "Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History - R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "American certifications – Musiq". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ^ "Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ "Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History - R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- Articles needing cleanup from November 2008
- Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field from November 2008
- Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from November 2008
- 1977 births
- Living people
- African-American male singers
- American male singers
- African-American singers
- American soul singers
- Neo soul singers
- Musicians from Philadelphia
- Atlantic Records artists
- Singers from Pennsylvania
- American contemporary R&B singers