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Raphael Saadiq
History: With his first-ever
solo album release, INSTANT
VINTAGE, Saadiq is the writer-producer behind such stellar hits
as Angie Stone's "Brotha" and D'Angelo's "Lady"
and the Grammy Award-winning "Untitled," among numerous
immortal R&B tracks he's produced for others. As the co-founder/producer/member
of multi-platinum success artists Tony! Toni! Tone! and Lucy Pearl,
Saadiq is touted as a pioneer of 'neo-soul.' "I don't think
it represents what the artists before me would like it to be called,
really," says the versatile bassist, guitarist, keyboardist,
and drummer. Now he's back to create a whole new sound he calls 'gospeldelic' on
"INSTANT VINTAG."
Saadiq's road to success started at the age of six, when he played bass at church, school and community events in his hometown, Oakland, California. At 18, he stepped onto the world stage when he was chosen, out of hundreds of musicians, to play bass for Prince and Sheila E. on their "Parade" world tour. It was on this tour that Saadiq had the inspiration for what would later become one of the most ground-breaking groups in R&B history, Tony Toni Tonè (whose five albums sold over six million records worldwide). Next he formed and produced the supergroup Lucy Pearl (whose gold-certified album was nominated for a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, two Soul Train Awards and two NAACP Awards). His music has always been more
than skin-deep. It's about making people feel, and about building
something fresh from what's come before. On INSTANT VINTAGE, he
employs his talent for drawing from the old school, not just to
rehash, but to re-inform the new school with the kind of album such
giants as Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder made back in
the day. Saadiq is owner of a label (Pookie Records) and a production company (Whiskey Slew). Acclaimed producers Jake & The Phatman have been signed to Whiskey Slew. Jake & The Phatman contributed their skills and talents to the Lucy Pearl album, co-producing hits such as "Dance Tonight", "Trippin", and "LaLa". Lucy Pearl's debut gold album was released on Raphael's Pookie Records. Saadiq recently directed a video
for the single "Be Here," a duet with D'Angelo who's also
featured in the clip.
Current Credits: 2005 has just begun and singer/songwriter/producer/musician Raphael Saadiq already has enough work to keep him busy throughout the year. Raphael recently completed work with Mary J. Blige producing and writing two songs for her new album at his Blakeslee Recording complex in North Hollywood, CA. He’s now getting ready to shoot a video for "I Want You Back" (featuring Teedra Moses), the new single from his critically acclaimed RAPHAEL SAADIQ AS RAY RAY album, released October 5 on his Pookie label. Award-winning music video director Bryan Barber (OutKast’s “Hey Ya”) has been tapped to direct the clip, which will include an appearance by Teedra Moses. For the next Pookie Entertainment release, Raphael is in the process of compiling the best unused songs from production sessions over the last five years. This album will include tracks featuring TLC, Ginuwine, Erykah Badu, Kelis, Nappy Roots, Babyface, Angie Stone, Mos Def, and many others. The album should be ready for release this summer. He continues to develop a DVD, which will include live and backstage footage shot on the tours for RAPHAEL SAADIQ AS RAY RAY and his Grammy® nominated INSTANT VINTAGE albums, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of Raphael in the recording studio. Meanwhile, Raphael
is about to start working with Angie Stone, D'Angelo and Musiq for
their new albums, and his production expertise will soon be heard
on new albums by Earth Wind & Fire, Bizarre from D12 and Nikka
Costa. Songs he produced last year for Jill Scott, Kelis, the Isley
Brothers, Mos Def, Teedra Moses, as well as Tupac Shakur’s
latest posthumous album LOYAL TO THE GAME--which debuted on the
album charts at #1--are all out now. Stay
tuned for further details about all of Raphael’s exciting new
projects. VICKIE
CHARLES
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