Features
Raphael Saadiq Ventures Solo
“The Instant Vintage tour is going to be better than every other time that you’ve seen me in your city,” said Saadiq. “You can expect to see me expand my horizons all over the stage because no one that you know will be to the left or right of me. This time around, it’s all me.”
Understandably, Saadiq is excited about getting the sole attention of the spotlight. The multi-instrumentalist and singer has long been a member of R&B groups, but never ventured out on solo ground.
In the late ‘80s, Saadiq helped form the soul and funk group Tony! Toni! Tone! with a brother and cousin. The trio scored a few hits, including “Little Walter,” and after four albums, split.
Saadiq – who changed his name from Raphael Wiggins after his Tony! Toni! Tone! days – then went on to form Lucy Pearl with DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest and Dawn Robinson of En Vogue. While the newfound trio earned good press reviews, their album didn’t catch on too well with the public and after exchanging Robinson for Joi, the group disbanded.