Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter and producer Raphael Saadiq is one of contemporary music’s most influential and talented icons. If you needed any proof, look no further than his list of collaborators: Solange Knowles, Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo, Miguel, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg and Elton John are just a few of the names who have requested Saadiq’s talents, either as a producer, performer or session musician. He’s also carved out a successful career as a solo artist, releasing four critically acclaimed solo albums and even receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for his composition ‘Mighty River’, a Mary J. Blige collaboration which featured in the Netflix production Mudbound.

Born in Oakland, California, Saadiq was raised on a diet of gospel music and bass guitar, honing his stage talents at high school before landing a spot in Sheila E’s band and opening for Prince on his 1986 world tour. After returning to his home state, he formed the group Tony Toni Toné with his brother and cousin. They went on to release several successful albums, including the double-platinum certified Sons of Soul and the critically acclaimed 1996 record House of Music. After the group disbanded, Saadiq kicked off his solo career, releasing four hugely successful albums that received high praise from critics and helped to revitalise and redefine soul music in the 21st century.

While his solo career skyrocketed, Saadiq worked as a producer, songwriter and session musician, contributing his unique talents to songs from D’Angelo (“Untitled (How Does It Feel)”) and Solange (“Cranes in the Sky”), producing for Snoop Dogg, Kelis and Erykah Badu and performing with Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga and Elton John. Named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2012, Saadiq remains a towering figure in contemporary music and a gifted artist with seemingly limitless talents.