Gothic Theatre

Musiq (Soulchild)

Urban music has a brand new chief. Philadelphia-born Talib Johnson, aka burgeoning R&B artist Musiq Soulchild, who grew up the oldest of nine children and did not finish high school, is now finally stepping into the light. Musiq, whose influences include James Brown, Patti LaBelle, Billie Holiday, and Sly and the Family Stone, participated in Philadelphia’s open microphone 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. And the rest was history. Musiq’s debut album, Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing) (2000, Def Jam), was recorded mostly at the Touch of Jazz studios in Philadelphia. The track “Girl Next Door” features the vocals of soul sister Ayana of the duo Aaeries. Musiq’s first single, “Just Friends (Sunny),” appeared on the soundtrack to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (Universal, 2000).