Taalib Johnson, professionally known as Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq (born September 16, 1977 ) is an American singer and songwriter whose style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel influences fused with hip hop. Musiq was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in a strict Muslim household. During his teenage years he built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MCs free styling on the open mic circuit, scatting at jazz clubs or just performing an a cappella for strangers on the streets, which is where he got the name "Musiq" and later added "Soulchild". He cites as his inspiration such ico