Get On Board: Raphael Saadiq
The hit making ride continues at the '12 Soul Train Awards.
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Get on Board: Raphael Saadiq - From the late eighties through the mid-nineties, back-up musician, Raphael Saadiq, hit the stage front and center as one-third of the R&B sensation Tony! Toni! Toné. The trio released four albums together and several number one hit singles, including the infectious “It Never Rains in Southern California” and “Feels Good.” During this time, Raphael changed his surname from Wiggins to Saadiq, which means "man of his word" in Arabic. Before he hit sthe Soul Train Awards stage see how this man influenced the world with his music. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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A Musical Protégé - The second youngest of 14 siblings, the musical protégé exhibited his talent for music early when he started playing the bass at age 6. By 18, the young singer who grew up singing in church was singing “Erotic City” with Sheila E. and Prince on the superstar’s Parade tour. (Photo: George De Sota/Liaison)
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A Supergroup is Formed - In 1999, Saadiq rocked the inspired awe in the music industry when he joined forces with A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad and En Vogue’s Dawn Robinson to create the all-star group Lucy Pearl. (Photo: Paul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Behind the Scenes Hitmaker - The scribe teamed up with another soul sensation, D’Angelo, with whom he wrote and produced the Prince-inspired song “(Untitled) How Does It Feel.” The sexy single helped D’Angelo win a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Bossman and Grammy Favorite - Saadiq put his boss hat on when he founded his own record label, Pookie Entertainment in 2002, signing artists Joi and Truth Hurts. He dropped his first solo album Instant Vintage the same year, snagging five Grammy nominations. (Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
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The Midas Touch - Raphael Saadiq made 2003 another big year when he co-wrote the anthem "Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-Hop)," the chart-topper performed by Common and Erykah Badu. The single won the Grammy for Best R&B Song. (Photo: REUTERS/Valentin Flauraud /Landov)
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Ray Ray - Staying on top of his game and in the studio, Raphael Saadiq released the double disc live album All the Hits at the House of Blues and his second album Ray Ray in 2003 and 2004 respectively. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for EJAF)
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The Uber-Collaborator - The classic soul student whose work ethnic speaks for itself, has collaborated with everyone from Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Q-Tip to name a few. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Introducing Joss Stone - Teaming up with British soul singer Joss Stone in 2007, Saadiq produced her third album Introducing Joss Stone. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
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Three More Grammy Noms - Saadiq's third studio album, 2008's critically acclaimed The Way I See It, earned the Oakland native three more Grammy nominations including Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "Never Give You Up," which featured Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton. (Photo: Dalle/Laurent Rebelle /Landov)
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Critically Acclaimed - Never short on praise for pushing musical boundaries, Raphael Saadiq was nominated in 2009 for a BET Centric Award and a Soul Train Award for Best Male R&B/Soul Artist. (Photo: Tullio Puglia/amfARmfw/Getty Images for amfAR)
