Musiq Soulchild has two platinum albums, two gold albums and seven hit singles. He has earned award nominations from MTV, the American Music Awards, the NAACP, and nine Grammy nominations. In this exclusive interview with Nyah Nile, the Tri-State Defender’s “All over town” personality, he pinpoints the “big gap” between media and the artist, and says ease up on trying to label him.  

 

Nyah: Musiq, thank you for speaking with me today. I am loving the new look and your sound. What made you make the changes?

 

Musiq: Well, for me, it is not new. There is a huge misconception about the way things operate in this music industry. It is not just me making decisions. It is a whole team. So when something goes out there - or doesn’t go out there – that is usually a collective decision. I think that because of the misconceptions and the big gap between media and the artist, I am going to have to introduce the idea of educating people about what goes on in this industry.

 

Nyah: True, there is a gap. However, the industry is so image-driven. What kind of tools do you think we should start implementing together to help with the industry gaps?

 

Musiq: In my own way I am trying to contribute to a more realistic perspective about what this music thing is all about. Yes, the commercial aspect is pretty shallow. However, music is meant to hold multiple purposes. Contributing to music is and should be contributing to someone’s life! I think that those traditions are lost now. So when people call my music neo-soul, I feel like they are saying “that is just that thing that you do!” I think that putting that label on it is disrespectful to the art itself and the people who help build. It is like saying their legacy is not attached to or is not the same when what we are doing now is no different. It is the same! We are actually the follow-up to those before us. It is all the same music - feel good music for the soul.

 

Nyah: It is so refreshing that you are bringing this subject to the light for the people, artists and the industry. You mentioned Kanye West carving his own lane in this industry. You have definitely carved your own lane in this music industry. There was nothing like your single “LOVE” when you first hit the scene.

 

Musiq: Thank you! The ironic thing is that was not my intention. I just wanted to make good music, whatever that meant. It didn’t matter at the time, I just wanted it to be good. It just so happen to come out in what people call the Neo-Soul way.

 

Nyah: Did your sound and your style have a lot to do with what you grew up on?

 

Musiq: I think it had a lot to do with where I came from. Coming from Philadelphia and the soulful scene, people were trying to find a way to attach to it. That is where the neo-soul thing came from. It really started with people like D’Angelo, Lauren Hill, and Erykah Badu. Somebody was tying to call it something because it was not necessarily traditional R & B, jazz, or classic soul. So they called it Neo-Soul and that means New Soul.

 

Nyah: You’re not the first artist I have heard somewhat complaining about being called a Neo-Soul Artist. So what’s up?

 

Musiq: Well see, the thing is . . . it is not that I am mad about it. It is just that, what if the work that you are doing was being called something else. Like what do you call what you do?

 

Nyah: I am a journalist.

 

Musiq: OK, so what if I called you an interviewer instead of a journalist.

 

Nyah: Hey, watch out there now! I see what you’re saying; the difference is an interviewer just asks questions. A journalist is researching, studying, going after the story, calling people that make it happen and writing the story.

 

Musiq: Right, OK. Neo-Soul really is just this figure and living up to this idea. It is an act. Anybody can act like a soulful artist. I could wrap your hair up, give you a mic, sit you on stage with some throw pillows and light some candles. Now do not get me wrong, this is not a diss to anyone that is actually fresh. If that is what you do. Not to say there is anything wrong with that style. I was there at a point in my life. I have since transitioned out of that and the problem is I do not think people have recognized that. I have not worn a head wrap since the “Just Friends” video. It is not that I have a problem with neo soul; I just do not think it is an accurate label to title what it is that I do.

 

Nyah: I will definitely do my part and make sure we help people recognize the real. We are starting - right here, right now - to help with change and figure out what we need to do differently in the music industry.

 

Musiq: Yes, that’s right. I just think that it is unfair because people need to stop with this persecution. Then they wonder why there is no money coming. We just need to change the perspective a little bit. It would help people consume it a little better and get more excited about the industry. A lot of people are frustrated and bored with this music industry because it all looks and sounds the same.

 

Nyah: Now, I want to play a game with you. I play it with all my celeb friends I meet. Finish this popular hook. Do not say the bad word. Are you ready?

 

Musiq: (Laughter) OK. Sure.

 

Nyah: “I got 99 problems and….”

 

Musiq: (Laughter) “And a blank ain’t one” that was Jay-Z’s.

 

Nyah: OK what is your 99th problem?

 

Musiq: (Laughter) Man there is not enough time for that one….

 

Nyah: Then tell me your #1 problem.

 

Musiq: My # 1 problem is people’s misconception of Musiq Soulchild. They think I am just this R & B singer. I am not just an R & B singer. Yes, I make R & B music and I am proud of it…. I promise you, it is a joy to me! However it is only about 10 percent of what I do and I have yet to really dive into the other 90 percent. That is why I put the song “RADIO” out. You have no idea what I am capable of musically…….I would love it if people would broaden their expectations of what to expect from me!

 

(Musiq Soulchild is on the Playin’ it Cool Tour now! Dates online at myspace.com/musiqsoulchild. Check out www.musiqfans.com where you can upgrade your tickets and get a chance to meet Musiq)

 

(Check out Nyah Nile’s previous articles online at www.tri-statedefender.com and look out for the celeb video blog interviews coming soon!)