Musiq Soulchild

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"Musiq" redirects here. For the electronic musician μ-Ziq, see Mike Paradinas.

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Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild, 2016.
Musiq Soulchild, 2016.
Background information
Birth name Taalib Johnson
Also known as
The HuselPurple Wondaluv
Born September 16, 1977 (age 42)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Genres
Hip Hop Soulneo soul
Occupation(s)
Singersongwriterrecord producer
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2 Career
2.1 2000–2004: Def Soul Recordings
2.2 2006–2012: Atlantic Records
2.3 2013–present My Block Records, Soulstar Music Company, eOne Records
2.4 Other music
2.4.1 Soundtrack songs
3 Television and books
4 Personal life
5 Discography
5.1 Studio albums
5.2 Collaboration albums
5.3 EPs
5.4 Singles
5.4.1 As featured artist
6 Accolades
6.1 ASCAP Awards
6.2 BET Awards
6.3 American Music Awards
6.4 Grammy Awards
7 References
8 External links
Early 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 MCs 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.[3][4] He dropped out of high school to pursue a career
in music.

"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. The stage name "Musiq Soulchild" is technically 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."[3]
Career
2000–2004: Def Soul Recordings
Musiq Soulchild signed with Def Soul Records in late 1999, and 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.[5] The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were
top tens.

In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar, which went gold.[5] 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,[5] "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.[6] According to Hutson, the two plan to work together
again.[6]

In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.[6]

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,[7] followed by "Yes".

2013–present My Block Records, Soulstar Music Company, eOne Records

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[5] 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.[8][9][10] 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 30, 2014.[11]

In April 2016, he released his first independent solo album through My Block/E1
Music, Life on Earth.[12] 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.[13][14] He premiered music
videos for the tracks in April 2017.[15]

Other music
Musiq Soulchild has featured on

the song "Nothing at All" 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?" 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 on the song Addicted;
"Reasons" on the March 2007 tribute album Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of
Earth, Wind & Fire;[16]
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";
Kehlani's February 2019 mixtape While We Wait on the song "Footsteps";
Smif-N-Wessun's March 2019 album The All on the song "Ocean Drive.
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 entitled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".

Television and books

He's guest starred as himself in the UPN sitcom Half and Half in May 2004 and The
CW comedy The Game in October 2007.[17][18]

On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships entitled "143 –
Love According To Musiq".[19] The book's title is inspired by the favorite number
of television host Fred Rogers, since the phrase "I love you" has 8 characters: 1
in "I", 4 in "love" and 3 in "you". Rogers stopped production of his television
series a year before Dontchange was released.

Personal life
In 30 March 2009, he had his first child; a son named Zachariah Johnson from his
relationship with 702 lead singer Meelah. In October 2017, his daughter Satori
Solaris with influencer Ashley Wright was born.

In 1979, at a young age of 2, Musiq got a lazy eye from an accident that occurred
while being fed by his uncle. In May 2011, he explained how he got it to a radio
interview with Charlamagne on New York’s Power 105 “Breakfast Club” morning show :

When I was mad young, my uncle was trying to feed me and I was mad rebellious. I
wanted to feed myself and he was like nah, and he was trying take the fork away
from me. So he was feeding me and I wouldn’t let go, so his hand slipped and jerked
back into my eye...[20][21]

Discography
Studio albums
Title Details Peak chart
positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[22] US R&B/Hip-Hop
[23] US R&B
[24] US Ind
[25]
Aijuswanaseing
Released: November 14, 2000
Label: Def Soul Recordings
Formats: CD, LP
24 4
RIAA: Plati
Formats: Music download
Life on Earth
Released: April 15, 2016
Label: My Block, E1 Music
Formats: CD, music download
27 3 2 5
Feel the Real
Released: September 15, 2017
Label: eOne, SoulStar Music Company
Formats: CD, music download
126 16 11
Collaboration albums
Title Details Peak chart
positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[22] US R&B
[23]
9ine (with Syleena Johnson)
Released: September 24, 2013
Label: Shanachie Records
Formats: CD, music download
— 54
EPs
Title Details Peak chart
positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
[22] US Holiday
[23]
A Philly Soul Christmas / Christmas Musiq
Released: 2008 (Physical)
October 30, 2009 (Digital)
Label: Atlantic Records
Formats: CD, music download
88 9 –
The Pre-Up – EP
Released: July 30, 2014
Label: Soulstar Music Company
Formats: music download
– – –
The eTeRnAL pEaCe EP
Released: June 18, 2015
Label: Soulstar Music Company
Formats: music download
– – –
Singles
Year Song US Hot 100[27] US R&B[28] 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
As featured artist
Year Song US
[4] US R&B
[4] 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
2019 "Footsteps" ( Kehlani feat. Musiq Soulchild) _ _ _ While We
Wait
Accolades
Soulchild has two platinum as well as two gold albums altogether.[23]

He's as well been bestowed with awards from BET and the ASCAP among others.[3][29]
Soulchild has also received 13 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album
Luvanmusiq.[30]

ASCAP Awards
[31]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 ASCAP Awards Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist Won
BET Awards
[29][32][33][34][35]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001 Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist Won
2001 Musiq Soulchild Best New Artist Nominated
2003 Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist Nominated
2007 Musiq Soulchild BET Centric Award Nominated
2009 Musiq Soulchild BET J Award Nominated
American Music Awards
[36]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 Musiq Soulchild Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist Nominated
Grammy Awards
[30]
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 December 26, 2015.
"Musiq Soulchild". AllMusic.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 12, 2008. Retrieved July
20, 2009.
Billboard: Musiq Soulchild
"Although known for laid back tracks, he's had a few uptempo tracks". AllMusic.
Retrieved May 10, 2016.
"Interview With JR Hutson". HitQuarters. May 10, 2010. Archived from the original
on November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
"musiq soulchild". 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 September 14, 2014.
Rucker, Jermaine. "Warryn Campbell signs Musiq Soulchild to My Block Inc".
gospelbreak.com. Gospel Break. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Murray, Jawn. "New Musiq: Soulchild signs with Warryn Campbell". alwaysalist.com.
Always A List. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September
14, 2014.
"THE HUSEL Mixtape by THE HUSEL". Datpiff.com.
"VIDEO: MUSIQ SOULCHILD – I DO". thisisrnb.com. This Is RNB. Retrieved March 14,
2016.
 "AllMusic: Musiq Soulchild – Feel the Real". AllMusic. Retrieved September 18,
2017.
"Musiq Soulchild Aims To 'Start Over' On His Latest Single". Vibe (magazine).
"Musiq Soulchild Returns With Two New Videos 'Start Over' & 'Simple Things':
Premiere". Billboard.
"Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire – Overview".
AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
"The Game: Fool Me Twice... I'm the Damn Fool". IMDb.
"Half and Half: The Big Fetish What You Started Episode". IMDb.
"Audio: Musiq Soulchild Talks About His Book "143 Love According to Musiq"".
Okayplayer.com.
"Musiq finally reveals what happened to his eye". theurbandaily. Retrieved May 5,
2020.
"Picture of Musiq's eyes". BlackDoctor. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
"Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved
February 13, 2011.
"Musiq Soulchild Album & Song Chart History – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard.
Retrieved February 13, 2011.
"Musiq Soulchild (Top R&B Albums)". Billboard.
"Musiq Soulchild (Top Independent Albums)". Billboard.
"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.
"2001 BET Awards Winners". BET.com.
"Musiq Soulchild". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
"2002 RHYTHM & SOUL MUSIC AWARDS". Ascap.com.
"2001 BET Awards". Billboard.
"2003 BET Awards Nominees". Billboard.
"2007 BET AWARDS". Awards and Winners.com.
"2009 BET Award winners". Screenertv.com.
"29th American Music Awards". Rock on the Net.com.
External links
Official website