Musiq Soulchild [2002]

by: Kandie Delley for Dallasblack.com [2002]

Prelude to a Soul Resurrection:
Between touring with Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, West Philly native, Musiq Soulchild(aka Taalib Johnson) has been nominated for a Grammy as best R&B male vocal performer and two NAACP Image Awards (best song, “LOVE” and outstanding new artist). He also received a BET award, four billboard awards for R&B/Hip Hop/Soul and a Soul Train award for the best single, male category.

With all his accomplishments, it’s easy to understand why the public’s awareness of Musiq has heightened. His music resonates feelings of romance, sensitivity and realness throughout. Overall, soul music has been listed in a gamut of classifications including R&B to Neo and Alternative. To me these are just different flavored frostings for the same cake. None of it matters without the “Soul” and obviously Musiq is well aware of this.

He’s creeping back on the scene with his hit ‘HalfCrazy”, a lovesick ballad generating hallucinations of lost love. The tide of Soulchild’s legacy doesn’t ebb as he hurls a heart-gripping ballad in its place. ‘Don’t Change’ is a song that represents an unconditional love. Both singles are from his much anticipated sophomore album “Juslisen”

Musiq’s Soul Live:
Making my way through the huddle at the corner of Good-Lattimer and Main, I surfaced into the open atmosphere of the Gypsy Tea Room (Deep Ellum). The laid back sounds of the opening act engulfed the room as the masses prepared for the evening. I passed by the bar, which is directly in front of the entrance, (Okay, okay, I stopped by the bar… for a minute).

With drink in hand, I allowed the earthy appeal of the sister/female group Aaries (featured on songs ‘Girl Next Door’ & ‘Settle For My Love) enhance the stage for the next hour as they prepped the mood for Musiq. The crowd seemed to be on pins and needles waiting for him to step out on stage. Once ready, Musiq guided the audience through his set.

People seemed to play human chess in order to maneuver towards the stage. A few couples held ground as they staked their claim on their own private area of the floor. Every word of every song was accompanied by the “Gypsy Tea Choir” or to translate ‘folks who knew they had no business singing’ but tried anyway. Hey I can’t front I was right along with them.

The extension of his live performance intensified the fusion of jazz, funk, soul and hip hop. You can always tell when an artist enjoys what they do and Musiq seemed to be as one the music and his fans. Ladies held out hands just to get a touch of him and immediately received what they wanted.

“Excuse me, and pardon me. Ooops, I’m sooo sorry about that, your what? Ooh those were some nice shoes, my bad.”

My apologies were murmured as I scuffled my short behind to the far left end of the stage , leaping every few feet to get a better view. Every now and then I’d snake my head to the left or right or crane my neck hoping someone would say,

“Aw let li’l mama through,” but gone are the days of chivalry.

I wondered why all the tall people stand in front of short folks. Just as I pondered that, the rumble of the bass exploded in my chest. Good music makes you feel like grinning and saying “Hi,” for no reason. I turned to the person next to me and they grinned back. Hands lifted in the air on one accord and swayed front to back or side to side as Musiq started breaking it down when he got to the bebop intro of “Just Friends/Sunny”.

Immediately the band tackled the reception while Musiq lead the “Gypsy Tea Room” choir. Eventually they grooved us into “Rock” mode then… the unimaginable happened.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for coming, good night”. Musiq exited the stage.

My mouth dropped to the floor. The hour flew by so fast that I really couldn’t recall him beginning. Disgruntlement reared its ugly head and people began looking around stunned -mid-sentenced, fist pumped in the air, as if someone stole the last bit of kool-aid out the fridge on a hot summer day. But of course you know how we do? You can’t roll through Dallas and vacate without an encore.

Musiq couldn’t escape the chant of the crowd,

“Musiq, Musiq, Musiq”.

The crowd chanted. Come on. Let’s be real. They had to know this was going to happen. The band reappeared and folks stampeded back to the stage and cheered. Once the mic check was completed Musiq asked the audience if it was okay to introduce the members of his band. Heck folks will say yeah if it’ll keep you on the stage longer. No for real, the band was slammin’.

Musiq gave a Cheshire cat grin then starting bopping his head and flowed into the song “1-4-3” (once again accompanied by the GT Choir). The ambiance during Musiq’s performance was buoyant and infused with crowd participation. His interaction was easy and candid. The delivery of his ‘flow’ tempted spectators as good music makes a person’s head nod involuntarily, especially when they rocked out the last song.

For more information on Musiq check out his website www.musiqsoulchild.comand if you haven’t bought his latest CD, “Juslisen” you need to.

2009 update:
Of course you know Musiq has completed a couple albums since this article was published. So be sure to check him out at www.musiqsoulchild.com with his latest release ‘On My Radio’. I love the song ‘So Beautiful’.

P.S.- R.I.P -Gypsy Tea Room, memories live on!