Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer from Oakland, California, associated with the neo-soul movement and contemporary R&B. Born Charlie Ray Wiggins in 1966, he begins music as a child, singing in gospel groups and later attending the Berklee Young Musicians Program in middle school.

He first gains wider attention as the lead singer of Tony! Toni! Toné!, the R&B and dance trio he forms with his brother Dwayne Wiggins and cousin Timothy Christian. He initially performs under his birth name, then adopts the name Raphael Saadiq in the mid-1990s. After the Tony! Toni! Toné! album House of Music, he starts a solo career.

Early career

Saadiq’s early professional experience includes touring with Prince after Sheila E. calls him to join musicians for the Parade tour. He spends two years on the road and describes that period as “My University”.

Solo work and Lucy Pearl

His solo catalogue includes Instant Vintage, released in 2002, which receives five Grammy nominations. He later releases The Way I See It, an album shaped by older soul styles and featuring collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone.

Between solo projects, he works in the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl with Dawn Robinson of En Vogue and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. The group releases one self-titled album before ending.

Production and collaborations

Saadiq is also active as a producer. He works with D’Angelo on the 2000 track “Untitled”, which helps win D’Angelo a Grammy for Best R&B Album. He also produces Joss Stone’s third album and collaborates with The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Q-Tip and Young Bellz.

Record label

In 2002, Saadiq founds the label Pookie Entertainment, which releases work by Joi and Truth Hurts.

Musical style

His work draws on neo soul, soul, funk and R&B, with references to artists including Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Four Tops, The Delfonics and The Stylistics.