Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Taalib Johnson
Also known as	The Husel Purple Wondaluv
Born	(1977-09-16)September 16, 1977 (age 47) Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	R&B neo soul
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Def Soul Atlantic My Block Soulstar Music Company E1
Website	www.musiqsoulchild.com

Taalib Johnson (born September 16, 1977), better known by his stage nameMusiq Soulchild (or simplyMusiq; pronounced "music")^[1] is an American singer-songwriter. His music blendsR&B,funk,blues,jazz, andgospel influences fused withhip hop.^[2]

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

Musiq was born inPhiladelphia, 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 asMarvin Gaye,Stevie Wonder, andDonny Hathaway.^[3][4] He dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music.

"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."^[3]

In 1998, Musiq Soulchild signed with Def Soul Records, the contemporary R&B division ofUniversal Music'sDef 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 theBillboard Hot 100 charts.

Musiq's second album, 2002'sJuslisen, debuted at number one on both theBillboard 200 andR&B/Hip-Hop Albums, reaching platinum-sales status.^[5] The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top ten hits.

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. In 2006, media outlets circulated that Musiq was involved in ade facto record label trade, transitioning fromDef Soul's master label Def Jam Recordings toAtlantic Records, and sending rapperFabolous from Atlantic to Def Jam.^[6][7][8]

In March 2007, Musiq's released his fourth albumLuvanmusiq. Its singles were "B.U.D.D.Y.", an uptempo track,^[5] "Teachme", and "Makeyouhappy."

His fifth albumOnMyRadio 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" featuringMary J. Blige, and the ballad"SoBeautiful". The latter marked the first collaboration between Musiq and producerJR Hutson, after Hutson had spent "about eight months" trying to get Musiq to come by his studio.^[9] According to Hutson, the two planned to work together again.^[9]

In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.^[9]

His last album for AtlanticMusiqInTheMagiq was released on May 3, 2011, available on CDs and also as a digital download. The first single was "Anything" featuringSwizz Beatz,^[10] followed by "Yes".

In September 2013, Musiq released a duet album with Syleena Johnson, titled9ine. This album was a compilation of nine reggae songs recorded in nine days on the independentShanachie^[5] 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 producerWarryn Campbell's label My Block Records.^[11][12][13] Musiq previously worked with Campbell on his first two albums on Atlantic – 2007'sLuvanmusiq and 2008'sOnMyRadio.

He released an EP titledThe Husel through DatPiff on July 30, 2014.^[14]

In April 2016, he released his first independent solo album through My Block/E1 Music,Life on Earth.^[15] 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 titledFeel the Real due on September 15, 2017.^[16][17] He premiered music videos for the tracks in April 2017.^[18]

Musiq Soulchild has featured on

• the song "Nothing at All" fromCarlos Santana's October 2002 albumShaman;
• The Roots's November 2002Phrenology on the song "Break You Off";
• rapperSkillz's December 2002I Ain't Mad No More on the song "Wave Ya Hands!";
• "Are You Experienced?" in March 2004'sPower of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix album;
• Black Ice's September 2006The Death of Willie Lynch on the song "Takeyatime";
• rapperLloyd Banks's October 2006 albumRotten Apple on the song "Addicted";
• "Reasons" on the March 2007 tribute albumInterpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire;^[19]
• onTalib Kweli's August 2007 albumEardrum on the song "Oh My Stars";
• Ice Cube's August 2008 albumRaw Footage on the song "Why Me?";
• Rapsody's November 2017 albumLaila's Wisdom on the song "A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love";
• Kehlani's February 2019 mixtapeWhile We Wait on the song "Footsteps";
• Smif-N-Wessun's March 2019 albumThe All on the song "Ocean Drive.

Soulchild has also appeared on the soundtrack toTyler Perry's February 2007 movieDaddy's Little Girls.

He also lent a song from his March 2007 albumLuvanmusiq to the soundtrack for Perry's later movieWhy Did I Get Married?, released October 2007.

He then recorded a remake ofArrested Development's song "People Everyday" with British rapper and singerEstelle for the soundtrack to Tyler Perry's March 2008Meet the Browns titled "People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)".

Musiq guest starred as himself in theUPN sitcomHalf and Half in May 2004 andThe CW comedyThe Game in October 2007.^[20][21]

On June 25, 2012, Musiq released a book on love and relationships, titled143 – Love According To Musiq.^[22]

When Musiq was a young child, he developed alazy eye from an accident that occurred while being fed by his uncle.^[23][24][25]

In 2009, he had a son with702 singerKameelah Williams.^[26] He also has a daughter named Satori, born in 2017. Musiq resides inAtlanta, Georgia.^[27][28]

Soulchild has two platinum as well as two gold albums altogether.^[30]

He has also received awards from BET and the ASCAP among others.^[3][38]

Soulchild has also received 13 Grammy nominations, including three for his 2007 albumLuvanmusiq.^[39]

^[40]

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• Official website
• Musiq Soulchild's AllMusic page

• 1977 births
• Living people
• 20th-century African-American male singers
• 20th-century American male singers
• 20th-century American singers
• American neo soul singers
• Singers from Philadelphia
• Atlantic Records artists
• American contemporary R&B singers
• American ballad musicians
• 21st-century American singers
• 21st-century American male singers
• 21st-century African-American male singers

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from October 2019
• Articles with hCards
• Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts