Raphael Saadiq has shown his success within the music industry for over the past twenty years. The artist has shown his success in many different aspects over the years and not just by his own performances. He has continued to write his own songs and has shown his talent with the productions of different records.

Raphael Saadiq

“It's a great thing to travel the world and see how many other people are inspired by some of the same people I'm inspired by. It's a worldwide beat in everybody's heart.”

Raphael Saadiq has shown his success within the music industry for over the past twenty years. The artist has shown his success in many different aspects over the years and not just by his own performances. He has continued to write his own songs and has shown his talent with the productions of different records.

Early Career Start

Even at an early age Raphael Saadiq had proved to be a very talented musician at the age six he began to play the bass guitar. Throughout his childhood he continued to play even being involved with different groups such as The Gospel Humminbirds, a group that he started to sing with at age twelve. His career had a sudden jumpstart after he graduated high school Raphael Saadiq began to tour with artists Sheila E and Prince.

Making a name for himself

The Oakland native became a much wider known artist when he founded his group Tony! Toni! Toné!. The artist performed has the lead vocalist and bass player for his rhythm and blues trio. The groups sound became very popular due to the fact they had more of an old school R&B sound to the group. During the late 1980s and 1990s the group became R&B superstars.

The group released four albums during 80s and 90s, all of which had singles that were very successful. Their second album featured the single “Feels Good” which was the first single for them to go gold. With the continued success of the group they released their third album which managed to reach all of the way to double platinum. With many of the singles from their albums featured in movies increased the fan base that the group had.

Returning to the Top

Despite Raphael Saadiq’s group breaking up the artist still had plans for his future in the music industry. Saadiq began his next project by founding a new group named Lucy Pearl in 1999. The group recorded one album and was unable to duplicate the success of his previous group. After the release of their first album the group soon thereafter split up. Even though Saadiq’s new group did not gain the fame he was looking for he continued to make a name for himself with his solo career.

Saadiq decided to place his focus back into performing his solo career, which he had some success with back in 1995 with his hit “Ask for You”. Raphael Saadiq then released his solo album Instant Vintage in 2002. After releasing his first solo album Saadiq decided to continue his solo career, due to the success of his first solo album gaining five Grammy nominations. Saadiq soon released his next solo album Ray Ray on his own label.

The artist most recent album release included recording artists Jay-Z, Joss Ston, And Stevie Wonder which awarded the artist three nominations for a Grammy ward and was voted on iTunes in 2008 to be the best album.

Charity

Raphael Saadiq performed at Chris Webber’s Bada Bling Celebrity weekend in 2008. The celebrity weekend is set up to raise funds for former NBA star Chris Webber’s foundation. The foundation assists with provided under privileged children with educational and recreational opportunities. In early 2010 Raphael Saadiq also performed in the “We Are The World” video remake to assist with donations to the Haiti relief fund.

Did You Know

● The artist was born Charlie Ray Wiggins

● R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné was founded with Raphael Saadiq’s Brother and Cousin

• Unlimited Music Access
• Music File Sharing
• Country Based Radio Channels
• Easy, Fast and Safe!
• 100% Free!