Birth name Taalib Johnson Years active 1998–present Also known as The Husel Name Musiq Soulchild | Genres R&Bsoulneo soul Occupation(s) Singersongwriter Children Zac Johnson | |
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Role Singer-songwriter · musiqsoulchild.com Albums Profiles | ||
Partner Kameelah Williams (2009–) | ||
Taalib Johnson, professionally known as Musiq Soulchild or Musiq (; born September 16, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel influences fused with hip hop.
Contents
- Musiq soulchild so beautiful
- Musiq Love Official Video
- Biography and personal life
- Name origin
- Career
- 20002004 Def Soul Recordings
- 20062012 Atlantic Records
- Independent music
- Other music
- Soundtrack songs
- Awards and recognition
- References
Musiq Soulchild has had 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and 7 hit singles.
He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train.
He has also earned award nominations from MTV, the American Music Awards, the NAACP, and 11 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq.
Musiq soulchild so beautiful
Musiq - Love (Official Video)
Biography and personal life
Musiq was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MC's 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.
In August 2009, his son Zachary was born with 702 singer Kameelah Williams. Zachary was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in 2013.
In 2017, it was confirmed he was dating wellness influencer Ashley "Tiyumba" Wright. She announced they were expecting their first child together in April. However, they separated the following month in May.
Name origin
"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 techinally 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."
Career
He has also been featured in television and print ads for McDonald's, Nike, Inc., Coca-Cola, Levi Strauss & Co. and The Gap.
He made a special appearance on The CW's #1 comedy The Game on Monday, October 29, 2007, as well as the UPN sitcom All of US.
On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships titled "143 - Love According To Musiq".
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 Billboard 200 and went platinum; it also debuted number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and all-genre Billboard 200 charts. The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top tens.
In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar, which went gold. 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, "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. According to Hutson, the two plan to work together again.
In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.
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".
Independent music
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 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. 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 30th, 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
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 (film) entitled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".
Awards and recognition
He has received awards from Billboard, BET, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, BMI, and Soul Train. Musiq has also been nominated for awards by MTV, The American Music Awards, the NAACP, and has had 12 Grammy nominations.