Musiq Soulchild

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist

Taalib Hassan Johnson (born September 16, 1977), better known by his stage name Musiq Soulchild (or simply Musiq; pronounced "music")<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is an American singer-songwriter. His music blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and gospel influences fused with hip hop.<ref name=Allmusic>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 lifeEdit

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.<ref name="ATL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="billboard">[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Billboard: Musiq Soulchild]</ref> He dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music.

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CareerEdit

1998–2004: Def SoulEdit

In 1998, Musiq Soulchild signed with Def Soul Records, the contemporary R&B division of Universal Music's Def Jam Recordings. He later released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing, in late 2000. Its lead single was "Just Friends (Sunny)". His second single "Love" spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Musiq's second album, 2002's Juslisen, debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, reaching platinum-sales status.<ref name="All Soulchild">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top ten hits.

In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar, which went gold.<ref name="All Soulchild"/> It included the singles "Forthenight" and "Whoknows".

Musiq took a four-year break and changed his management to Solqi Management. In 2006, media outlets circulated that Musiq was involved in a de facto record label trade, transitioning from Def Soul's master label Def Jam Recordings to Atlantic Records, and sending rapper Fabolous from Atlantic to Def Jam.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2006–2012: Atlantic RecordsEdit

In March 2007, Musiq's released his fourth album Luvanmusiq. Its singles were "B.U.D.D.Y.", an uptempo track,<ref name="All Soulchild"/> "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". The latter marked the first collaboration between Musiq and producer JR Hutson, after Hutson had spent "about eight months" trying to get Musiq to come by his studio.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> According to Hutson, the two planned to work together again.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/>

In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> followed by "Yes".

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

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<ref name="All Soulchild"/> label.

Also in September 2013, Musiq 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In April 2016, he released his first independent solo album through My Block/E1 Music, Life on Earth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He premiered music videos for the tracks in April 2017.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Other musicEdit

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?" 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;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 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 titled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".

Television and booksEdit

Musiq guest starred as himself in the UPN sitcom Half and Half in May 2004 and The CW comedy The Game in October 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships, titled 143 – Love According To Musiq.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

When Musiq was a young child, he developed a lazy eye from an accident that occurred while being fed by his uncle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2009, he had a son with 702 singer Kameelah Williams.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also has a daughter named Satori, born in 2017, with Ashley "Tiyumba" Wright.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Musiq resides in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DiscographyEdit

Studio albumsEdit

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title	Details	Peak chart positions				Certifications (sales threshold)
Title	Details	US <ref name="Billboard 200">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B/HH <ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US Ind. <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Certifications (sales threshold)
Aijuswanaseing	Released: November 14, 2000 Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download	24	4	—	—	RIAA: Platinum<ref name=riaa>Template:Cite certification</ref>
Juslisen	Released: May 7, 2002 Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download	1	1	—	—	RIAA: Platinum<ref name=riaa />
Soulstar	Released: December 9, 2003 Label: Def Soul, Def Jam Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download	13	3	—	—	RIAA: Gold<ref name=riaa />
Luvanmusiq	Released: March 13, 2007 Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, LP, digital download	1	1	—	—	RIAA: Gold<ref name=riaa />
OnMyRadio	Released: December 9, 2008 Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, digital download	11	1	—	—
MusiqInTheMagiq	Released: May 3, 2011 Label: Atlantic Formats: CD, digital download	8	3	—	—
Husel Music Template:Small	Released: May 5, 2015 Label: Soulstar Music Company Formats: Digital download	—	—	—	—
Life on Earth	Released: April 15, 2016 Label: My Block, E1 Music Formats: CD, digital download	27	3	2	5
Feel the Real	Released: September 15, 2017 Label: eOne, SoulStar Music Company Formats: CD, digital download	126	—	16	11

Collaboration albumsEdit

List of collaboration albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	US R&B/HH <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
9ine (with Syleena Johnson)	Released: September 24, 2013 Label: Shanachie Formats: CD, download	54
Victims and Villains (with Hit-Boy)	Released: March 10, 2023 Label: SoulStar Music Company Formats: Download	—

EPsEdit

List of EPs, with selected details and chart positions
Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	US <ref name="Billboard 200"/>	US R&B/HH <ref name="ReferenceA"/>	US Holiday <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
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	—	—	—

SinglesEdit

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
Title	Year	US <ref name="Hot 100">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B/HH <ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Album
"Just Friends (Sunny)"	2000	31	6	Aijuswanaseing
"Love"	2000	24	2
"Girl Next Door" (featuring Ayana)	2001	85	28
"Halfcrazy"	2002	16	2	Juslisen
"Dontchange"	2002	17	3	Juslisen
"Forthenight"	2003	53	18	Soulstar
"Whoknows"	2004	65	23	Soulstar
"B.U.D.D.Y."	2007	36	2	Luvanmusiq
"Teachme"		42	2
"Makeyouhappy"		—	61
"Radio"	2008	—	55	OnMyRadio
"IfULeave" Template:Small	2008	71	6
"SoBeautiful"	2009	84	8
"Silky Soul"	2010	—	—	Silky Soul Music – An All-Star Tribute to Maze & Frankie Beverly
"Anything" Template:Small	2011	—	31	MusiqInTheMagiq
"Yes"	2011	—	24	MusiqInTheMagiq
"Feel the Fire" Template:Small	2013	—	—	9ine
"I Do"	2016	—	11	Life on Earth
"Simple Things"	2017	—	—	Feel the Real
"Start Over"	2017	—	11	Feel the Real

As featured artistEdit

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Album
Title	Year	US <ref name="Hot 100"/>	US R&B <ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"/>	UK <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	Album	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"Break You Off" Template:Small	2002	99	55	59	Phrenology
"Nothing at All" Template:Small	2003	—	—	—	Shaman
"Takeyatime" Template:Small	2006	—	—	—	The Death of Willie Lynch
"Why Me" Template:Small	2008	—	—	—	Raw Footage
"Chocolate High" Template:Small	2008	114	19	—	Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
"Forever" Template:Small	2010	—	—	—	Floetic Soul
"Hope for Haiti" Template:Small	2010	—	—	—	Charity single
"Ah Yeah" Template:Small	2012	—	86	—	Black Radio
"Still Believe in Love" Template:Small	2013	—	—	—	rowspan="2" Template:Non-album singles
"Give It to You" Template:Small	2015	—	—	—
"Footsteps" Template:Small	2019	—	—	—	While We Wait
"Your Turn" Template:Small	2020	—	—	—	Featuring Ty Dolla Sign

AccoladesEdit

Soulchild has two platinum as well as two gold albums altogether.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

He has also received awards from BET and the ASCAP among others.<ref name="ATL"/><ref name=BET>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Soulchild has also received 13 Grammy nominations, including three for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq.<ref name=Grammy>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ASCAP AwardsEdit

<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Awards table |- | align="center" | 2002 ASCAP Awards | Musiq Soulchild | Best Male R&B Artist | Template:Won |-

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BET AwardsEdit

<ref name=BET /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Awards table |- | align="center" | 2001 | Musiq Soulchild | Best Male R&B Artist | Template:Won |- | align="center" | 2001 | Musiq Soulchild | Best New Artist | Template:Nom |- | align="center" | 2003 | Musiq Soulchild | Best Male R&B Artist | Template:Nom |- | align="center" | 2007 | Musiq Soulchild | BET Centric Award | Template:Nom |- | align="center" | 2009 | Musiq Soulchild | BET J Award | Template:Nom |-

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American Music AwardsEdit

<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Awards table |- | align="center" | 2002 | Musiq Soulchild | Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist | Template:Nom |-

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Grammy AwardsEdit

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ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Official website
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