Raphael Saadiq

Raphael Saadiq

Author: Pushkin Industries September 24, 2024 Duration: 1:22:58

Raphael Saadiq is one of the great R&B writers and producers of the last 30 years. He started out fronting and playing bass in the group Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother D’Wayne Wiggins on guitar. The Tony’s had an amazing four album run from ‘88 through 1996 with hit singles like "It Never Rains (In Southern California)," "Feels Good," "Anniversary," and "If I Had No Loot."

Raphael’s also released five solo albums starting with 2002’s Instant Vintage. His most recent album, Jimmy Lee, is a collection of very personal songs about the real traumas he and his family experienced growing up in Oakland, CA.

Raphael’s also done some amazing work behind the board. He’s produced and written for the likes of D’Angelo, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Solange, Earth Wind and Fire and just recently he worked on a handful of songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. He’s also earned an Academy Award nomination for his work as a film composer.

This week Justin Richmond talks with Raphael Saadiq from his studio in Los Angeles about some of the incredible work he’s done recently. Raphael breaks down his collaboration with D’Angelo on the classic track “Lady,” and how Sly Stone bassist Larry Graham influenced a generation of musicians coming up in the Bay Area. 

To see the full video version of this episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokenRecordPodcast/videos

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Raphael Saadiq songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Imagine a conversation where the only agenda is genuine curiosity about the creative process. That's the space Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond occupies. Hosted by these four distinct voices from the worlds of music production, writing, and journalism, this podcast strips away the standard interview format. Instead, it feels like you're overhearing an insightful, meandering talk between friends who happen to be some of the most fascinating artists alive. The discussions delve into the unglamorous realities of making art-the false starts, the moments of doubt, the sheer stubbornness required to push through. You'll hear legendary musicians and emerging talents alike discuss not just their hits, but the failures and personal stories that truly shaped their sound. It’s less about celebrity and more about the human experience behind the songs we love. Each episode is a deep, unstructured dive into why creators do what they do, offering a rare glimpse into the vulnerability and chaos that fuel great work. Produced by Pushkin Industries, this series connects the dots between music, culture, and the society that inspires it, making it feel like an essential listen for anyone interested in the stories behind the art.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 387

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
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