It’s alright to admit that at least one of Musiq
Soulchild’s songs has moved you in one way or another. If he isn’t talking
about going “Halfcrazy” in one song, he’s serenading a lovely woman in another
called “Don’t Change.” Who could forget the most infamous ballad of them all,
“Love” where he showcases his feelings on that high octave note. It’s part of
the secret formula that makes Musiq one of the effective R&B/Neo Soul
artists out today.
Musiq is a man who bid his high school diploma
adieu to focus on his dream. With no money, no steady place to sleep, and a
burning hunger for success, Musiq spent many days singing A capella anywhere he
could to scatting at Jazz clubs. Since his discovery, Musiq’s voice and love of
the art has blessed the music industry since his platinum selling debut album Aijuswanaseing (2000).
By going
platinum again with Juslisen (2002), Musiq solidified his place in the
industry. Even after hitting a few bumps in the road with SoulStar (2003) being his least
successful album and forgetting the words to the National Anthem in 2006, the
Philadelphia native returned with a banger. “B.U.D.D.Y.” pleasantly saturated
the airwaves along with “Teachme” on his fourth project named Loveanmusiq (2007). To date, Musiq
has earned accolades from MTV to Billboard and has received countless
nominations for his soulful albums, with nine Grammy nods.
Even without a Grammy win, Musiq continues to
deliver great music. Musiq fans will now embark on another pleasurable
experience called ONMYRADIO. Already hitting the airwaves are his new
singles “Ifuleave” featuring Mary J. Blige and “Radio” which show another side
of Musiq. For an artist who has remained consistent with his signature sound, ONMYRADIO is an album where he
takes creative risks proving to his fans that he’s more than an R&B/Neo
Soul artist.
AllHipHop.com Alternatives: What was the concept
behind this release as opposed to your other projects?
Musiq Soulchild: I guess the concept was
to try to incorporate all the things that I don’t think people would naturally
expect from me. I mean not stop what people expect from me, but do something
else as well. Like, I did a song called “Radio” that was basically a Crunk/Snap
song and I know people wouldn’t naturally expect that from Musiq Soulchild. I
try to incorporate other elements other than R&B and Neo Soul on this
project.
AHHA: I did notice “Radio” was a club record and
that’s not something your fans may be accustomed to hearing on your projects.
Musiq Soulchild: Yeah, but it’s not
anything new. It’s what you hear that’s pretty much on the radio all the time
anyway. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal because I chose to do it. It
actually shocked me that people were like, “What are you doing?” I’m like,
“What do you mean what am I doing? I’m making music according to what people
are listening to.” So you should be asking everyone else what they are doing.
AHHA: Because you’ve remained so consistent in your
career with your sound, have you found yourself confronted by people to alter your
sound to appeal to a wider audience?
Musiq Soulchild: I don’t think of it as
pressure. If the people want something then, in this business, you should give
them what they want. With me doing this song “Radio”, it’s not me trying to
conform or trying to change my sound, it’s actually me making additions. If you
notice after I put out “Radio” I put out the song with Mary [J. Blige called
“Ifuleave”], which is pretty consistent with what I’ve been giving. So, it’s
not that I wanted to completely change what it is that I do, I just want to add
to what I do. You already know to expect one thing now you can start expecting
something else as well.
AHHA: Do you have more songs on your album like
“Radio” or is this the only song like that?
Musiq Soulchild: That’s the only song
like that. There are other songs on the record that might be creatively bold
just like it, but sound wise I don’t have another Crunk record on there. That’s
a onetime thing, at least for this album.
