An artist whose impact on R&B transcends the early ’90s, when he became known for hits like “Anniversary” and “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” with his multi-platinum selling group, Tony! Toni! Toné! Saadiq is responsible for some of the biggest songs of the past two decades, and the roster of artists he’s worked with as a producer reads like a “best performers of all times” list: Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, Solange, John Legend, Whitney Houston, and the Isley Brothers.
Raphael Saadiq is one of my favorite artist of all time. I remember hearing him for the first time and instantly fell in love. It was "Anniversary" and I just couldn't stop replaying it and from there I was hooked. His style is my style period. Raphael is one classy man and always carries himself with such confidence. At 51 years old this man doesn't look a day over 30. I can't wait till he receives his Lifetime Achievement Award.
The years 1999 and 2000 were huge for Raphael and the culture. Along with Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest and Dawn Robinson from En Vogue, Saadiq brought us Lucy Pearl, a group project that included the song “Dance Tonight” but was, on its own merits, an album chock-full of dope jams and smooth riddims. I still rock this album—front to back—today. That was ’99. In 2000 he helped D’Angelo channel his vision for the song “Untitled (How Does It Feel)“ from the Voodoo album, which led to “the video.” Don’t forget, though, Saadiq was a significant part of D’Angelo’s song “Lady” from Brown Sugar. His vocal range to his songwriting abilities this man is everything.
To working on the popular HBO show Insecure, where he serves as a music composer. For a man who feels like he should have been born in a different era, Saadiq has solidified himself as a major influence to contemporary R&B. He can shapeshift and adapt. He is currently working on his sixth studio album and the world is waiting. We need it for the culture.
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