Biography

Philadelphia-born %Taalib Johnson, aka burgeoning R&B artist Musiq (Soulchild), grew up the oldest of nine children and did not finish high school. Musiq, whose influences include James Brown, Patti LaBelle, Billie Holiday, and Sly & the Family Stone, participated in Philadelphia's open mic scene in his early teens. The son of a die-hard '70s soul music fan, Musiq performed at Philly showcases like ~the Five Spot and ~Wilhemina's until his management team, Mama's Boys (Jerome Hipps and Michael McArthur), brought him to Def Jam Records' attention. Musiq's debut album, 2000's Aijuswanaseing, was recorded mostly at the ~Touch of Jazz Studios in Philadelphia. Musiq's first single, "Just Friends (Sunny)," appeared on the soundtrack to #Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and two years later Musiq released his second album, the spiritual and personal Juslisen, which debuted at number one on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts. The following year brought the widely-acclaimed Soulstar, and in 2007, after moving to Atlantic, Musiq released the more mature Luvanmusiq. ~ Kerry Smith, All Music Guide