Musiq Soulchild

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.[2]
== 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.
== Career ==
=== 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 Billboard200 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 (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;[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".
==== Soundtrack songsEdit ====
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)".
== Television and books ==
He's guest starred as himself upon 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]
== Personal life ==
Since 2009, he has been in a relationship with 702 singer Kameelah Williams.[citation needed] In August 2009, their son was born.[20] In October 2017, his daughter Satori Solaris Wright was born with Instagram Influencer Ashley "Tiyumba" Wright.
== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
Title 	Details	Peak chart
positions	Peak chart
positions	Certifications
(sales threshold)
Title 	Details	US
[21]	US R&B
[22]	Certifications
(sales threshold)
Aijuswanaseing 	
* Released: November 14, 2000
* Label: Def Soul Recordings
* Formats: CD, LP	24 	4 	
* RIAA: Platinum[23]
Juslisen 	
* Released: May 7, 2002
* Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Recordings
* Formats: CD, LP	1 	1 	
* RIAA: Platinum[23]
Soulstar 	
* Released: December 9, 2003
* Label: Def Jam Recordings
* Formats: CD, LP	13 	3 	
* RIAA: Gold[23]
Luvanmusiq 	
* Released: March 13, 2007
* Label: Atlantic Records
* Formats: CD, LP, music download	1 	1 	
* RIAA: Gold[23]
OnMyRadio 	
* Released: December 9, 2008
* Label: Atlantic Records
* Formats: CD, music download	11 	1 	
MusiqInTheMagiq	
* Released: May 3, 2011
* Label: Atlantic Records
* Formats: CD, music download	8 	3 	
Life on Earth 	
* Released: April 15, 2016
* Label: My Block, E1 Music
* Formats: CD, music download	27 	3 	
Feel the Real 	
* Released: September 15, 2017
* Label: eOne, SoulStar Music Company
* Formats: CD, music download	126	16	
=== Collaboration albums ===
Title 	Details	Peak chart
positions	Peak chart
positions	Certifications
(sales threshold)
Title 	Details	US
[21]	US R&B
[22]	Certifications
(sales threshold)
9ine (with Syleena Johnson)	
* Released: September 24, 2013
* Label: Shanachie Records
* Formats: CD, music download	—	54	
=== EPs ===
Title 	Details	Peak chart
positions	Peak chart
positions	Certifications
(sales threshold)
Title 	Details	US
[21]	US Holiday
[22]	Certifications
(sales threshold)
A Philly Soul Christmas / Christmas Musiq	
* Released: 2008 (Physical)October 30, 2009 (Digital)
* Label: Atlantic Records
* Formats: CD, music download	88	9	
The Husel 	
* Released: July 30, 2014
* Label: DatPiff.com
* Formats: music download	 	 	
=== Singles ===
Year	Song 	US Hot 100[24]	US R&B[25]	Album
2000	"Just Friends (Sunny)" 	31 	6 	Aijuswanaseing
2000	"Love" 	24 	2 	Aijuswanaseing
2001	"Girl Next Door" (featuring Ayana) 	85 	28 	Aijuswanaseing
2002	"Halfcrazy" 	16 	2 	Juslisen
2002	"Dontchange" 	17 	3 	Juslisen
2003	"Forthenight" 	53 	18 	Soulstar
2004	"Whoknows" 	65 	23 	Soulstar
2007	"B.U.D.D.Y." 	36 	2 	Luvanmusiq
2007	"Teachme" 	42 	2 	Luvanmusiq
2007	"Makeyouhappy" 	— 	68 	Luvanmusiq
2008	"Radio" 	— 	55 	OnMyRadio
2008	"IfULeave" (featuring Mary J. Blige) 	71 	6 	OnMyRadio
2009	"SoBeautiful" 	81 	8 	OnMyRadio
2010	"Silky Soul" 	— 	— 	Silky Soul Music - An All-Star Tribute To Maze & Frankie Beverly
2011	"Anything" (featuring Swizz Beatz) 	— 	31 	MusiqInTheMagiq
2011	"Yes" 	— 	24 	MusiqInTheMagiq
2013	"Feel the Fire" (with Syleena Johnson)	— 	— 	9ine
2016	"I Do" 	— 	11 	Life on Earth
2017	"Simple Things" 	— 	— 	Feel The Real
2017	"Start Over" 	— 	11 	Feel The Real
=== Featured Singles ===
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
2008	"Chocolate High" (India.Arie featuring Musiq Soulchild) 	114	19	— 	Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
2010	"Forever" (The Floacist featuring Musiq Soulchild) 	— 	— 	— 	Floetic Soul
2010	"Hope for Haiti" (Kim Burrell featuring Musiq Soulchild, Michelle Williams, Lil' Mo & Tye Tribbett)	— 	— 	— 	Charity single
2012	"Ah Yeah" (Robert Glasper Experimentfeaturing 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 	 	 	 	 	
== Accolades ==
Soulchild has two platinum as well as two gold albums altogether.[22]
He's as well been bestowed with awards from BET and the ASCAP among others.[3][26]
Soulchild has also received 13 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq.[27]
=== ASCAP Awards ===
[28]
Year 	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2002 ASCAP Awards	Musiq Soulchild	Best Male R&B Artist	Won
=== BET Awards ===
[26][29][30][31][32]
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 ===
[33]
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2002	Musiq Soulchild	Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist	Nominated
=== Grammy Awards ===
[27]
Year	Nominee / work 	Award 	Result
2002	"Love" 	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance 	Nominated
2003	"Halfcrazy" 	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance 	Nominated
2003	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
2008	Luvanmusiq 	Best R&B Album 	Nominated
2010	"SoBeautiful" 	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance 	Nominated
2010	"IfULeave" (feat. Mary J. Blige) 	Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Nominated
2010	"Chocolate High" (with India.Arie)	Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	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