Raphael Saadiq is a highly influential American musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who has significantly shaped the sound of soul and R&B music over the past 35 years. Born Charles Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966, in Oakland, California, Saadiq learned to play bass guitar and sing gospel as a child.
Saadiq's professional career took off at age 18 when he played bass on Prince's Parade world tour in 1986. After returning to Oakland, he co-founded the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother D'Wayne Wiggins and cousin Timothy Christian Riley in 1986. The group released four successful albums between 1988 and 1996, producing hit singles like:
In the mid-1990s, Saadiq adopted his current surname, which means "man of his word" in Arabic, to distinguish himself from his brother. After Tony! Toni! Toné! disbanded in 1997, Saadiq joined the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl in 1999, alongside Dawn Robinson from En Vogue and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest. The group released one self-titled album in 2000.
Saadiq launched his solo career in 2002 with the album "Instant Vintage," which earned him five Grammy nominations. He has since released four more solo albums:
His 2008 album "The Way I See It" was a surprise popular and critical hit, recreating the Philadelphia Soul and Motown sounds.
Throughout his career, Saadiq has been a prolific producer and songwriter for other artists, working with luminaries such as:
He co-wrote the Grammy-winning song "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" for D'Angelo and "Cranes in the Sky" for Solange Knowles.
Saadiq's musical style is deeply rooted in classic soul, R&B, and gospel, often blending these traditional sounds with contemporary elements. He cites influences such as Sam Cooke, The Temptations, and Earth, Wind & Fire, among others.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Saadiq has composed music for television, such as Issa Rae's HBO show "Insecure," and appeared as himself in the Netflix series "Luke Cage."
Saadiq's contributions to music have earned him numerous accolades. He was named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list in 2012. In 2018, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Mighty River" from the film "Mudbound," which he co-wrote with Mary J. Blige.
Recently, Saadiq was announced as the inaugural member of the Dean's Creative Vanguard Program at the USC Thornton School of Music, showcasing his revered status in the music industry.
Saadiq's influence spans multiple decades and genres, earning him praise for his musicianship and his pivotal role in preserving and evolving the traditions of Black music.
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