Legacy of Raphael Saadiq
Artists and genres Raphael Saadiq directly influenced — one hop forward on the family tree of music.
Adrian MarcelartistAdrian Marcel Hutton is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and rapper from Oakland, California. His debut mixtape, 7 Days of Weak (2014), was presented by American singer Raphael Saadiq, who took Marcel in as his protégé.
Jay DeeartistJames Dewitt Yancey, better known by the stage names J Dilla, Jay Dee, or simply Dilla, was an American record producer, rapper, and composer. He emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as a member of the group Slum Village. He was a founding member of the Soulquarians, a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Yancey and Madlib collaborated as the duo Jaylib, releasing the album Champion Sound. Yancey's final album, Donuts, was released three days before his death. He was also known for producing the Pharcyde album Labcabincalifornia.
Amp FiddlerartistJoseph Anthony "Amp" Fiddler was an American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. His musical styles included funk, soul, dance and electronica. He was probably best known for his contributions to the band Enchantment, and as part of George Clinton's Parliament and Funkadelic groups from 1985 to 1996.
A Tribe Called Questartist
Erykah Baduartist
D'AngeloartistMichael Eugene Archer, better known by his stage name D'Angelo, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the neo-soul movement, Billboard named him one of the greatest R&B artists, while Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2025, he was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Jill Scottartist
Stevie Wonderartist
Beyoncéartist
TotalartistTotal is an American R&B girl group and one of the signature acts of the Bad Boy Records imprint during the mid-1990s. The group consists of founding members Kima Raynor, Keisha Spivey, and Pamela Long. Total is best known for their feature on Mase's "What You Want", as well as their hits "Kissin' You", "Can't You See", and "What About Us?" and "Trippin'", both featuring Missy Elliott. Long also sung the chorus of The Notorious B.I.G.'s hit song "Hypnotize", although she was not officially credited. Total made their first appearance singing the hook on The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut single for Bad Boy Records, "Juicy", widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time.
Earth Wind and FireartistEarth, Wind & Fire is an American band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. Their music spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands ever, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
Joss Stoneartist
TLCartist
En Vogueartist
Kelisartist
Mary J. Bligeartist
LedisiartistLedisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.
- Whitney Houstonartist
Solange Knowlesartist
John Legendartist
Truth Hurtsartist
LeToya Luckettartist
J Dillaartist
Jeremihartist