Musiq Soulchild

Taalib Hassan Johnson (born September 16, 1977), better known by his stage name Musiq Soulchild (or simply Musiq; pronounced "music") is an American singer-songwriter. His music blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and gospel influences fused with hip hop.

He signed with Def Soul to release his debut studio album, Aijuswanaseing (2000). It moderately entered the Billboard 200, while his second album, Juslisen (2002), peaked atop the chart and spawned the single "Halfcrazy", his highest entry—at number 16—on the Billboard Hot 100. He released third album, Soulstar (2003), before parting ways with the label in favor of Atlantic Records. The label released his fourth album, Luvanmusiq (2007), which peaked atop the Billboard 200 once more.

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 freestyling 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 inspirations such icons as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway. He dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music.

Quote frame|"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." The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top ten hits.

In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar, which went gold.

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,

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, followed by "Yes".

2013–present My Block Records, Soulstar Music Company, eOne Records In September 2013, Musiq released a duet album with Syleena Johnson, titled 9ine. This album was a compilation of nine reggae songs recorded in nine days on the independent Shanachie 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.

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

Other music Musiq Soulchild has featured on the song "Beautiful Contradiction" on British soul singer Beverley Knight's 2002 studio album Who I Am. 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?" in 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; 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 titled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".

Television and books Musiq guest starred as himself in the UPN sitcom Half and Half in May 2004 and The CW comedy The Game in October 2007.

On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships, titled 143 – Love According To Musiq.

Personal life When Musiq was a young child, he developed a lazy eye from an accident that occurred while being fed by his uncle.

In 2009, he had a son with 702 singer Kameelah Williams. He also has a daughter named Satori, born in 2017, with Ashley "Tiyumba" Wright. Musiq resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Discography

Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications(sales threshold) US US R&B/HH US R&B US Ind. Aijuswanaseing Released: November 14, 2000 Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download 24 4 — — RIAA: Platinum Juslisen Released: May 7, 2002 Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download 1 1 — — RIAA: Platinum A Philly Soul Christmas / Christmas Musiq Released: 2008 (physical)October 30, 2009 (digital) Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, download 88 20 9 The Pre-Up – EP Released: July 30, 2014 Label: Soulstar Music Company Formats: Download — — — The EternaL Peace EP Released: June 18, 2015 Label: Soulstar Music Company Formats: Download — — —

Singles

As featured artist + List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumUS "Break You Off" 2002 99 55 59 Phrenology "Nothing at All" 2003 — — — Shaman "Takeyatime" 2006 — — — The Death of Willie Lynch "Why Me" 2008 — — — Raw Footage "Chocolate High" 114 19 — Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics "Forever" 2010 — — — Floetic Soul "Hope for Haiti" — — — Charity single "Ah Yeah" 2012 — 86 — Black Radio "Still Believe in Love" 2013 — — — "Give It to You" 2015 — — — "Footsteps" 2019 — — — While We Wait "Your Turn" 2020 — — — Featuring Ty Dolla Sign

Accolades Soulchild has two platinum as well as two gold albums altogether.

Soulchild has also received 13 Grammy nominations, including three for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq.

ASCAP Awards

Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist

BET Awards

Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist

Musiq Soulchild Best New Artist

Musiq Soulchild Best Male R&B Artist

Musiq Soulchild BET Centric Award

Musiq Soulchild BET J Award

American Music Awards

Musiq Soulchild Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist

Grammy Awards

"Love" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

"Halfcrazy" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Juslisen Best R&B Album

"Forthenight" Best Urban/Alternative Performance

"Are You Experienced?" Best Urban/Alternative Performance

"B.U.D.D.Y." Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Luvanmusiq Best R&B Album

"SoBeautiful" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "IfULeave" (feat. Mary J. Blige)

"Chocolate High" (with India.Arie)

"We're Still Friends" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

"I Do" Best R&B Performance

Feel the Real Best R&B Album