On the strength of training he received at Castlemont High, Saadiq auditioned for Sheila E and landed a spot in her band supporting. Born in Oakland, Raphael grew up singing gospel music and started playing bass at the age of six. Raphael Saadiq is a Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter and go-to producer for some of the top names in R&B.

Unimpressed with Sheila's sister, who he felt had too much attitude, he gave a spur-of-the-moment false name and rather than lose face when Sheila told him he'd got the job, he had to quickly learn to answer to the name Raphael.'Next thing I was in Tokyo, in a stadium, singin' Erotic City,' he marvels. While others were decked out in Prince-inspired clothes, working on their dance moves in the queue, Wiggins, in baseball cap and jeans, quietly went about his business. He was hanging out in an Oakland studio when a call came in announcing an audition was being held the following day in San Francisco, with places in the touring band for Prince protegee Sheila E up for grabs. This has been shared here before but here we go:'His obsession and aptitude for music put him in the right place at the right time shortly after his 18th birthday in 1984. Raphael Saadiq and Rick Ross, Ud - Season Ticket Holder (2020), Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash, Raphael Saadiq - Angel s1e01. Saadiq is a star in his own right, and a millionaire as well.

He was really cool about that: he'd always walk up to you and say, 'There enough girls here for you tonight?' Yes, sir!'Blaqueknight I know of your habit to smoke people in the 'Associated' forum but I don't see your point here, sorry. 'He introduced us to some nice girls, too. 'I think he liked my feel, otherwise he wouldn't have invited me to play,' Saadiq reasons. That was my university.'With Prince's band, the Revolution, 'on the outs,', the teenage newcomer often found himself playing bass with the headliner at after-gig club shows.

Because he wasn't 'put on' by Prince as say the Time, The Family and others were he doesn't usually get the protege' nod. He sort of insinuated that he was second tier musician to Sheila's camp and was no ona 'how ya like me now' steelo.I would say that Saadiq is a part of the Prince 'tree'. Because at that time, Sheila was not registering on the charts anymore. I'm not saying Prince 'made' him, just that he was there, part of this whole process, and that it had to have some kind of an influence on the astonishing musician he became next.I remember him clwowning Sheila in a way when he was on Video Soul and he was riding high with TT's first release. But in the end he toured with them all, and played Prince's songs in a Prince influenced band.

Given his age i would say he was fan prior to getting the Shelia E gig.I agree outside of Jam& Lewis.Saadiq is probably the next most successful to come from the 'tree' or the 'camp'. So any boots of Shelia during that period would have him playing. He was in Sheila's band when she opened for the 'Parade' tour.

Saadiq's words and reflections tell me all I need to know.

Raphael Saadiq Angel