MUSIQ SOULCHILD (Fri, 10/16/26)

Taalib Johnson, professionally known as Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq (born September 16, 1977 ) is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel influences fused with hip hop. Musiq was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in a strict Muslim household. During his teenage years he built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MCs free styling on the open mic circuit, scatting at jazz clubs or just performing an a cappella for strangers on the streets, which is where he got the name "Musiq" and later added "Soulchild". He cites as his inspiration such icons as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway as his most influential musical icons. He dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music.