Interview: Raphael Saadiq – Singer, Songwriter and Producer - Page 2

When Tony! Toni! Toné! came out, hip-hop was just having its big launch or second wind. At the time, we were one of two bands that were playing band-type of records. We were holding on to things that we loved in the past. Listening to groups that I grew up really loving, that music's really not gone but changed from an industry perspective. The hip-hop artists are probably seeing more change in their peers than I'm seeing in mine. For black urban bands, anything that's happening right now is pretty much the same. 

In the past few years, several British artists have cornered the soul market from a commercial standpoint. What factors do you think allowed them to have a little bit more flexibility in the marketplace?

I think Britons are more open to it and I think the British market has always been more receptive of soul music. In the ‘60s, the Temptations went over to Europe and the Beatles came over here. America has always set that precedence for soul music. European audiences probably just got tired of not hearing it. We weren't doing it and they were like "We want to hear it. If they won't do it, we'll do it." That's what I think, especially in Britain. They probably did open up the market a lot and I think that's a great thing. The more, the merrier you know. It's great.

Although European audiences have developed a keen taste for soul music, looking at the current market, one may be tempted to say that "R&B is dead." What's your take?

R&B has never been dead because hip-hop is saddling it. It still is happening today. Go ask the people who make their money off the publishing. I mean, Kanye West and "Through the Fire" – that's never been dead. Everything has its limitations. It depends on what road you take with your music, with your career, whatever you decide with your life. Some are short-lived careers. Some are short-lived songs. Some are long-lasting careers. Some are long-lasting songs. I think that's the way you have to look at it. You have to pick that road that you're going down on and be prepared for the beginning, the middle and the end. I would say neo-soul is dead. I never really understood what neo-soul was. I know everybody wanted to be a part of it. I don't think it had anything to do with any of the artists that they may have called neo-soul. It wasn't really a true statement for any artist. I think that's a term that should be dead in some nearby garbage. 

Article Author: Clayton Perry

Clayton Perry's mission parallels that of John Hope Franklin, Marcus Garvey and Carter G. Woodson. As the founder of the NUBIANO Project, Perry facilitates the design of projects that give voice to the Black diaspora, empower the Black community, …

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