Bio
Musiq Soulchild was born and raised in Philadelphia and grew up with his family—including eight brothers and sister]. As a teenager, he began plans for a career in music. He released his debut album, ‘’Aijuswanaseing’’ (read: “I Just Want to Sing”), in 2000, which was well-received by critics and audiences. Musiq did much of his own songwriting, and most of the record was produced and co-written by Ivan “Orthodox” Barias and Carvin “Ransum” Haggins, then of the A Touch of Jazz production company headed by Jazzy Jeff, now of Karma Productions. The singles “Just Friends (Sunny)”, “Love”, and “Girl Next Door” received exposure in America mainly on the more underground music video network, MTV2, as well as on BET. His singles also received a good amount of airplay on urban and urban contemporary radio stations.
In 2002, he released his sophomore album, ‘’Juslisen’’ (read: “Just Listen”), as simply ‘’Musiq’‘. He had continued urban and MTV2 success with its singles, “halfcrazy” and “dontchange”, the former of which was one of the most played music videos on MTV2 in the summer of 2002 and during the year overall. Both videos also got substantial play during the year on VH1 Soul. The singles had heavily amounts of airplay on both urban and urban contemporary radio sations in 2002. He also gained exposure during that year by opening concerts for Alicia Keys.
In late 2002, Musiq contributed guest vocals to “Break You Off”, the first single from The Roots’ ‘’Phrenology’’ album. Once again, its video got heavy play on MTV2 and VH1 Soul, as well as on MTV Jams. He also appeared in Santana’s song “Nothing at All” which is featured in his 2002 album ‘’Shaman’‘.
In 2003, the singles and videos “forthenight” and “whoknows” from his third LP, ‘’Soulstar’‘. “forthenight” was one of VH1 Soul’s most played videos of 2004, and also had a very successful run on American urban radio stations.
Recently, Musiq Soulchild (who has added the “Soulchild” to his moniker again) has parted ways with Def Soul and has signed with Atlantic Records. A new Musiq Soulchild album is slated for a spring 2007 release. He will be making guest appearances on rapper Lloyd Banks’s ‘’Rotten Apple’‘, Talib Kweli “Eardrum”, Black Ice “The Death of Willie Lynch”, pay tribute to Soul music legends Earth Wind and Fire and appear on the soundtrack “Daddy’s Little Girls”.
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing), in 2000, which included the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop single, “Just Friends (Sunny)”. Musiq’s second single, “Love”, spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Musiq’s sophomore album, 2002’s Juslisen (Just Listen), debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Charts and went platinum; “Halfcrazy” and “Dontchange”. In 2003, Musiq released his 3rd album, Soulstar. It included the singles “Forthenight” and “Whoknows”.
After a four year break and changing his management to Solqi Management and his record label to Atlantic Records, in 2007, Musiq’s released his fourth album Luvanmusiq (Love and Music) which included the singles “B.U.D.D.Y.”, “Teachme”, and “Makeyouhappy”. According to the singer himself, via his September 18 concert at the Warfield in San Francisco, his fifth album On My Radio will be released on December 2, 2008. The lead single, “Radio” has posted on both Musiq’s MySpace page and official website.
Musiq Soulchild has had 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and 7 hit singles. He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train. Musiq has also earned award nominations from MTV, American Music Awards, NAACP, and 9 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq. Besides being a successful recording artist, Musiq is notable for his creative and unique way of titling his albums and songs by ignoring the rules of capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
He recently performed at the Antigua & Barbuda first Romantic Rhythms Music Festival in the Caribbean which was held from June 12-15,2008 which features legendary artists such as Kenny Rogers, Brian McKnight, Lionel Richie, Keyshia Cole, Maxi Priest, Destra, Heather Headly, Shaggy and many other local artist from the island including The Burning Flames.
He has also made guest appearances on rapper Lloyd Banks’s album Rotten Apple, Talib Kweli’s Eardrum, The Roots’s Phrenology (album), Black Ice’s The Death of Willie Lynch and pays tribute to soul music legends Earth Wind and Fire, appearing on the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s movie Daddy’s Little Girls. And Ice Cube announced that Musiq will appear on his upcoming album, Raw Footage. He also lent a song from his latest album Luvanmusiq to the soundtrack for Perry’s later movie Why Did I Get Married?. He then recorded a remake of Arrested Development’s song “People Everyday” with British rapper Estelle for the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns entitled “People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)”.
Outside of music, he has been featured in television and print ads for McDonald’s, Nike, Inc., Coca-Cola, Levi Strauss & Co. and The Gap. He also made a special appearance in The CW’s #1 comedy The Game on Monday, October 29, 2007.
143
Musiq Soulchild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you were working just to say
Left messages on your answering machine
About three or four times a day
There aren't many more ways in words that I can say
So I'll just say numerically from my heart to you - 143
So many times I've brought roses
I can't remember how many e-mails I sent you
Just to tell you about my day
There aren't many more ways in words that I can say
So I'll just say numerically from my soul to you - 143
Girl you know you are so special to me
And you deserve to be treated exclusively
I treat you like Valentines Day 365 a year
Make sure that everything you need will always be right here
I just refuse to be your typical ordinary run of the mill
Garden variety lover
I'll make sure everyday you live will be like Christmas Eve
I want to make you feel fine
Just like a summer breeze
Cause I refuse to be predictable average run of the mill
Garden variety love
See sometimes words may get in the way
Of things that you really really meant to say
So I want to out this time to make sure that how I really feel
Gets through to you
Cause listen
There aren't many more ways and words that I can say
So I choose to tell you how I feel in a numerical way'
Got so tired of trying to find the most complicated way
To say it to you so I simplified and broke it down
To 143 - and that means I love you
The song "143" by Musiq Soulchild is about a man who is deeply in love with a woman and wants to express his feelings in a unique way. He admits to calling her several times a day and leaving messages on her answering machine, as well as sending numerous emails just to tell her about his day. He acknowledges that he may have run out of ways to express his love in words, so he decides to use numbers instead. "143" is a code that means "I love you," with each number representing the amount of letters in each word.
The song also emphasizes the unique and special nature of their relationship. The man promises to treat the woman like it's Valentine's Day every day of the year and to make sure she has everything she needs. He doesn't want to be an ordinary lover and wants to make sure she feels loved and appreciated every day.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have I called you
Expressing the frequency of calling
While you were working just to say
Calling even when she's busy at work
Left messages on your answering machine
Leaving messages when she's not available
About three or four times a day
Giving an estimate of how many times he calls
There aren't many more ways in words that I can say
Admitting the limitations of words
So I'll just say numerically from my heart to you - 143
Using a numeric code to convey his emotions
So many times I've brought roses
Expressing the frequency of giving gifts
Just to see that smile on your face
Making her happy is important to him
I can't remember how many e-mails I sent you
Reflecting his frequency of communication
Just to tell you about my day
Sharing his daily experiences
Girl you know you are so special to me
Affirming her importance in his life
And you deserve to be treated exclusively
Stating the treatment she deserves
I treat you like Valentines Day 365 a year
Giving her special treatment every day
Make sure that everything you need will always be right here
Providing for her needs
I just refuse to be your typical ordinary run of the mill
Not wanting to be average
Garden variety lover
Using a metaphor to express his uniqueness
I'll make sure everyday you live will be like Christmas Eve
Creating a special atmosphere in her life
I want to make you feel fine
Making her feel good emotionally
Just like a summer breeze
Using a metaphor to express his effect on her
Cause I refuse to be predictable average run of the mill
Continuing to express his rejection of being ordinary
Garden variety love
Repeating the metaphor of an ordinary lover
See sometimes words may get in the way
Acknowledging the limitations of words once again
Of things that you really really meant to say
Highlighting the importance of communication
So I want to out this time to make sure that how I really feel
Ensuring his emotions are conveyed properly
Gets through to you
Confirming the importance of effective communication
Got so tired of trying to find the most complicated way
Expressing his frustration with overthinking
To say it to you so I simplified and broke it down
Simplifying communication to make it more effective
To 143 - and that means I love you
Reiterating the meaning of the numerical code
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARVIN HAGGINS, TAALIB JOHNSON, KEITH PELZER, KEITH ISAIHA PELZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beean9218
How many times have I called you
While you were working just to say
Left messages on your answering machine
About three or four times a day
There aren't many more ways in words that I can say
So I'll just say numerically from my heart to you - 143
So many times I've brought roses
Just to see that smile on your face
I can't remember how many e-mails I sent you
Just to tell you about my day
There aren't many more ways in words that I can say
So I'll just say numerically from my soul to you - 143
Girl you know you are so special to me
And you deserve to be treated exclusively
I treat you like Valentines Day 365 a year
Make sure that everything you need will always be right here
I just refuse to be your typical ordinary run of the mill
Garden variety lover
I'll make sure everyday you live will be like Christmas Eve
I want to make you feel fine
Just like a summer breeze
Cause I refuse to be predictable average run of the mill
Garden variety love
See sometimes words may get in the way
Of things that you really really meant to say
So I want to out this time to make sure that how I really feel
Gets through to you
Cause listen
There aren't many more ways and words that I can say
So I choose to tell you how I feel in a numerical way'
Got so tired of trying to find the most complicated way
To say it to you so I simplified and broke it down
To 143 - and that means I love you
@a.lynette
This song is so very underrated
@Sunset-oz4rf
Big facts
@lisakaye3919
Definitely. I remember the first time I heard this song. It made me tear up. Ppl don’t express love like this anymore
@iristyndall7522
@@lisakaye3919 me too I cried too and every time I hear it
@marshawnrichardson7435
Music, is underrated!
@shanb.9690
I so agree it’s such a beautiful song
@audreymo63
My 26 yr old son grew up with this CD. Knows every song to this day. We say 143 for I love you to this day. Amazing soulful music..
@crazyboy585
"My girl" is one of my favorite songs from this album
@niax5618
My ending to every conversation and they know exactly what it means
143 from my heart 💜🤞🏾✊🏾🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
The 🐐👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
@marcusrussell3086
I’m 28 and know everything my mom did the same to me. I had. Great loving child hood