Taking an interest in music from the age of 6, joining gospel groups and attending Young Musicians Program at Berklee during middle school, Saadiq got the chance phone call of a lifetime, when Sheila E. called one day looking for touring musicians to join Prince on his Parade tour. Saadiq spent two years on the road, a time he called "My University".
Saadiq made a name for himself as the lead vocalist in the rhythm and blues and dance trio Tony! Toni! Toné!. He went by his birth name during the beginning of Tony! Toni! Toné!, where he was joined by his brother Dwayne Wiggins, and his cousin Timothy Christian. He adopted the name of Raphael Saadiq in the mid-1990s.
After the 1996 Tony! Toni! Toné! album, House of Music, (when he performed under his current name) Saadiq started his solo career. He produced a few solo tracks, but Saadiq's next big project became the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl. He recorded the self-titled album with Dawn Robinson (En Vogue) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest). This group only lasted for one album. His solo album Instant Vintage, released in 2002, also earned 5 Grammy nominations.
Saadiq released his third solo album, The Way I See It, on September 16 2008, featuring collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone. Saadiq acknowledges the album's old school soul sound, which he says includes nods to Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Four Tops, The Delfonics and The Stylistics.
Various artists have tapped Saadiq to produce their work through the years. Some of Saadiq's most notable work has been with D'Angelo. The 2000 collaboration "Untitled" won D'Angelo a Grammy award for Best R&B Album. In 2007, Saadiq was called on to produce the whole third album from UK Soul singer Joss Stone. Other artists he has collaborated with include The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Q-Tip and Young Bellz.
In 2002, Saadiq founded his own record label, Pookie Entertainment. Among the artists on the label are Joi and Truth Hurts.
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People
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People, people, people, people
People
The streets are paved with fallen souls
(I don't know what I've been told)
'Cause I ain't never been down that road
(The media pursued their flame)
But tell me who are they to really say?
It's not about the residents
(Damn, what people think of them?)
Bush is sitting cozy on the hill
So don't look down, look up high
(Don't let these people steal your pride)
Use that ghetto bullshit as a shield
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth (ooh-ooh)
(I don't think they heard you)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
Here we go another year
(Niggas juggling hate and fear)
Time is moving like the twelve-hand
It ain't all so political
(Black-on-black or physical)
But everybody's got to understand
See life ain't what it used to be
(Death is sowing many seeds)
Removing like we'll never see pain
I usually run through life but now
(I act too quickly, slow it down)
But I never, ever compromised myself
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
(I don't think they heard you)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
The government's the biggest pimp
(They take their cut and leave you with)
Nothing at the end of the day
I'm searching for a solitude
(But all I find is niggas who)
Smile and tell me lies to my face
The industry's no better 'cause
(They only show you mad love)
When you're life and soul is living on the charts
But when you're luck is facing down
(Those ones, they are not around)
Will take your heart and put it in the ground
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
(I don't think they heard you)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth (ooh-ooh)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
(I don't think they heard you)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
(They say that the truth will set you free)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth (ooh-ooh)
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth
And people, people
Somebody's got to tell the truth (ooh-ooh)
Raphael Saadiq's song "People" is a commentary on the state of society and the struggles faced by those living in impoverished neighborhoods, commonly referred to as ghettos. He starts by acknowledging the challenges faced by people living in these areas and the hardship that they face. However, he questions the media and the government's portrayal of these areas as being "dirty" and "fallen," suggesting that they have no right to make such assertions. In this second verse, he emphasizes the importance of telling the truth, of not being lulled into complacency or accepting the status quo.
In the third verse, Saadiq continues his critique of the government, referring to them as "the biggest pimp." He suggests that they are only interested in profiting by taking from those who have nothing, leaving them with nothing at the end of the day. He also highlights the duplicity of the music industry, which only pays attention to those who are successful and disregards those who are struggling.
Overall, the song reflects the frustration of those who are marginalized and under-represented, facing daily struggles and battling against societal expectations of them. Saadiq encourages his listeners and those living in these communities to speak their truth and stand up against injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
The streets are paved with fallen souls (I don't know what I've been told)
The ghetto provides a tough environment for its residents to thrive, with many struggling and falling along the way.
'Cause I ain't never been down that road
Although I cannot directly relate to the struggles faced in the ghetto, I empathize with those who do.
The ghetto got a dirty name (the media pursued their flame)
Due to negative coverage by the media, the ghetto has a stigma around it that is not entirely deserved.
But tell me who are they to really say?
Critics of the ghetto may not fully understand the experiences and challenges faced by its residents.
It's not about the residents (damn what people think of them)
The opinions of others should not diminish the value or worth of the residents living in the ghetto.
Bush is sitting cozy on the hill
People in positions of power and privilege are generally removed from the struggles faced by those in the ghetto.
So don't look down, look up high (don't let these people steal your pride)
Despite facing many challenges and obstacles, it is important for residents of the ghetto to maintain their sense of pride and self-worth.
Use that ghetto bullshit as a shield
The adversity and hardship faced in the ghetto can actually serve as a source of strength and resilience for its residents.
Here we go another year (niggas juggling hate and fear)
Residents of the ghetto are constantly struggling with difficult emotions and situations, including feelings of hate and fear.
Time is moving like the twelve-hand
Time seems to be moving quickly and relentlessly, like the movement of a clock's hands.
It ain't all so political (black-on-black or physical)
While there are certainly political and social issues at play in the ghetto, there are also personal and interpersonal struggles, such as conflicts within the community.
But everybody's got to understand
It is important for everyone to have empathy and understanding for the struggles faced by those living in the ghetto.
See life ain't what it used to be (death is sowing many seeds)
Life is becoming more difficult and challenging, with death and tragedy affecting many people in the ghetto.
Removing like we'll never see pain
Some people try to escape the pain and suffering in the ghetto, but it is something that cannot be ignored or avoided forever.
I usually run through life but now (I act too quickly, slow it down)
While I have typically rushed through life, I am learning the importance of taking things slower and being more intentional in my actions.
But I never, ever compromised myself
Despite facing many challenging situations, I have always maintained my integrity and stayed true to myself.
The government's the biggest pimp (they take their cut and leave you with)
The government often takes advantage of those in the ghetto, exploiting them for their own gain and leaving them with little to show for it.
Nothing at the end of the day
Despite the promises made by the government, those in the ghetto often see little actual improvement in their lives.
I'm searching for a solitude (but all I find is niggas who)
While I long for some peace and tranquility, I find that many people in the ghetto are similarly struggling and facing their own challenges.
Smile and tell me lies to my face
Deception and dishonesty are unfortunately common in the ghetto, with people often hiding their true intentions and feelings.
The industry's no better cause (they only show you mad love)
Even in the music industry, people are often only interested in those who are currently popular or successful.
When you're life and soul is living on the charts
Artists who are successful and popular often feel intense pressure to continue producing hits and maintaining their status.
But when you're luck is facing down (those ones, they are not around)
When an artist's luck runs out and they are no longer successful, many people will abandon them and leave them without support.
Will take your heart and put it in the ground
When someone is struggling, many others will abandon them and cause them further pain, rather than helping them or offering support.
And people, people... somebody's got to tell the truth
It is important for people to be honest and truthful, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
(I don't think they heard you)
Despite efforts to speak the truth, there are often people who refuse to listen or hear what is being said.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Raphael Saadiq, Raymon Ameer Murray, Taura Latrice Stinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind