Musiq Soulchild

Biography

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×Aijuswanaseing14 November 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Scratch Introlude0:462Girl Next Door4:463You and Me4:204Just Friends (Sunny)4:115Mary Go Round3:4161434:587Love5:058My Girl3:209Musiq Soulchild (interlude)1:2510Seventeen3:2311L' Is Gone3:2012Speechless3:2413Poparatzi3:5814Settle for My Love (Intermission)5:4015You Be Alright7:00 (2000). It moderately entered the Billboard 200, while his second album, Juslisen×Juslisen1 January 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Scratch (Introlude)0:322Newness3:483Caughtup3:274Stoplayin4:035Religious4:196Babygirl3:347Halfcrazy4:148Time5:179Future4:0010Intermission: Juslisen2:0711Realove4:2712Onenight4:4213Previouscats4:0014Solong4:1515Bestfriend4:2416Dontchange5:0917Motherfather4:3218Something5:0819Ifiwouldaknew (Girlnextdoor remix)4:32 (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×Soulstar9 December 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 30 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Soulstar3:032Youloveme3:503Womanopoly4:564Forthenight3:515Infatueighties4:366Whoknows4:557Babymother4:438Missyou4:009Momentinlife4:4410Thereason5:3011Dontstop / Her8:0812Whereareyougoing4:2813Romancipation4:1014Interlude0:3815Givemorelove / Leaveamessage9:46Disc 21Soulstar3:032Youloveme3:503Womanopoly4:564Forthenight3:515Infatueighties4:366Whoknows4:557Babymother4:438Missyou4:009Momentinlife4:4410Thereason5:3011Dontstop / Her8:0812Whereareyougoing4:2813Romancipation4:1014Interlude0:3815Givemorelove / Leaveamessage9:46 (2003), before parting ways with the label in favor of Atlantic Records. The label released his fourth album, Luvanmusiq×Luvanmusiq12 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1b.u.d.d.y.3:432ms.philadelphia3:543teachme4:204betterman4:385thequestions3:106today4:047makeyouhappy3:208ridiculous3:469millionaire3:5410takeyouthere4:5511lullaby4:1812greatestlove4:4613rewind3:0614b.u.d.d.y. (remix)4:28 (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.

1998–2004: Def Soul

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×Aijuswanaseing14 November 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Scratch Introlude0:462Girl Next Door4:463You and Me4:204Just Friends (Sunny)4:115Mary Go Round3:4161434:587Love5:058My Girl3:209Musiq Soulchild (interlude)1:2510Seventeen3:2311L' Is Gone3:2012Speechless3:2413Poparatzi3:5814Settle for My Love (Intermission)5:4015You Be Alright7:00, in late 2000. Its lead single was "Just Friends (Sunny)×Just Friends (Sunny)2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Just Friends (Sunny) (radio edit)4:022Just Friends (Sunny) (Masters at Work 12″ mix)8:373Just Friends (Sunny) (E‐Smoove’s Soul Revival)7:294Just Friends (Sunny) (Masters at Work dub)5:37". His second single "Love" spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Musiq's second album, 2002's Juslisen×Juslisen1 January 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Scratch (Introlude)0:322Newness3:483Caughtup3:274Stoplayin4:035Religious4:196Babygirl3:347Halfcrazy4:148Time5:179Future4:0010Intermission: Juslisen2:0711Realove4:2712Onenight4:4213Previouscats4:0014Solong4:1515Bestfriend4:2416Dontchange5:0917Motherfather4:3218Something5:0819Ifiwouldaknew (Girlnextdoor remix)4:32, debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, reaching platinum-sales status. The singles were "Halfcrazy" and "Dontchange", which were top ten hits.
In 2003, Musiq released his third album, Soulstar×Soulstar9 December 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 30 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Soulstar3:032Youloveme3:503Womanopoly4:564Forthenight3:515Infatueighties4:366Whoknows4:557Babymother4:438Missyou4:009Momentinlife4:4410Thereason5:3011Dontstop / Her8:0812Whereareyougoing4:2813Romancipation4:1014Interlude0:3815Givemorelove / Leaveamessage9:46Disc 21Soulstar3:032Youloveme3:503Womanopoly4:564Forthenight3:515Infatueighties4:366Whoknows4:557Babymother4:438Missyou4:009Momentinlife4:4410Thereason5:3011Dontstop / Her8:0812Whereareyougoing4:2813Romancipation4:1014Interlude0:3815Givemorelove / Leaveamessage9:46, which went gold. 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.

2006–2012: Atlantic Records

In March 2007, Musiq's released his fourth album Luvanmusiq×Luvanmusiq12 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1b.u.d.d.y.3:432ms.philadelphia3:543teachme4:204betterman4:385thequestions3:106today4:047makeyouhappy3:208ridiculous3:469millionaire3:5410takeyouthere4:5511lullaby4:1812greatestlove4:4613rewind3:0614b.u.d.d.y. (remix)4:28. Its singles were "B.U.D.D.Y.", an uptempo track, "Teachme", and "Makeyouhappy."
His fifth album OnMyRadio×Onmyradio9 December 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Backagain4:062Until3:303Ifuleave4:124Deserveumore3:525Special3:176Dearjohn4:317Loveofmylife5:138Moneyright4:389Someone4:3510Iwannabe4:2011Sobeautiful4:5112Radio3:20 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×Sobeautiful27 December 2019 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 30 tracks1Sobeautiful4:512Teachme4:163B.U.D.D.Y.3:444Radio3:095Betterman4:386Makeyouhappy3:217Yes3:428Lullaby4:189Backtowhere3:3810Allaboutyou2:5211Deserveumore3:5212Backagain4:0613Clumsylove3:1214Befriends3:4315Lovecontract3:1316Dearjohn4:3117Sayido3:1018Greatestlove4:4619Loveofmylife5:1320Dowehaveto3:2721Ridiculous3:4722Likethesun4:2423Slowdown3:5024Medicine3:5825Single4:0526Ms.Philadelphia3:5527Ridethrough3:0428Silver&Gold3:2429Today4:0430Until3:31". 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. According to Hutson, the two planned to work together again.
In May 2010, he changed management to Victor Grieg.
His last album for Atlantic MusiqInTheMagiq×MusiqInTheMagiq29 April 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Anything3:522Single4:053Say I Do3:104Love Contract3:135Silver And Gold3:246Waiting Still3:537Back To Nowhere3:388Dowehaveto3:279Befriends3:4310Yes3:4211Medicine3:5812Like The Sun4:23 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 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. Musiq previously worked with Campbell on his first two albums on Atlantic – 2007's Luvanmusiq×Luvanmusiq12 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1b.u.d.d.y.3:432ms.philadelphia3:543teachme4:204betterman4:385thequestions3:106today4:047makeyouhappy3:208ridiculous3:469millionaire3:5410takeyouthere4:5511lullaby4:1812greatestlove4:4613rewind3:0614b.u.d.d.y. (remix)4:28 and 2008's OnMyRadio×Onmyradio9 December 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Backagain4:062Until3:303Ifuleave4:124Deserveumore3:525Special3:176Dearjohn4:317Loveofmylife5:138Moneyright4:389Someone4:3510Iwannabe4:2011Sobeautiful4:5112Radio3:20.
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×Life on Earth15 April 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Wait a Minute5:072Who Really Loves You3:523Heart Away3:344Loving You3:385I Do4:186Changed My Mind3:437Walk Away4:148Far Gone5:329Part of Me3:1910Alive and Well3:2911The Girl4:0212Life on Earth4:0413I'm Gone3:3914Game of Love3:47. 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×Start Over3 April 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Start Over3:50" set for a new album titled Feel the Real×Feel the Real15 September 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Feel the Real5:342Benefits3:523Serendipity3:444Sooner or Later4:085My Bad5:056Start Over3:507Hard Liquor3:338Shudawudacuda3:319Broken Hearts3:5510Love Me Back4:0511I’m Good3:2612Jussa Lil Bih3:30Disc 21Humble Pie3:412Party Life3:493One More Time5:284Let Go3:545Test Drive3:446Like the Weather3:267Fact of Love3:338Heaven Only Knows4:109The Moon4:1010We Go Together Now4:1911Sunrise Serenade5:0912Simple Things3:43 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×Break You Off2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Break You Off (radio edit)3:382Rock You3:13";
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×Luvanmusiq12 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1b.u.d.d.y.3:432ms.philadelphia3:543teachme4:204betterman4:385thequestions3:106today4:047makeyouhappy3:208ridiculous3:469millionaire3:5410takeyouthere4:5511lullaby4:1812greatestlove4:4613rewind3:0614b.u.d.d.y. (remix)4:28 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.