October 29, 2004 @ 3:06 pm

VIBE.com Interview: Raphael Saadiq - Ray Ray's Revenge

by: Patrick Taliaferro

“I’ve never been in competition with anybody,” explains Raphael Saadiq, pausing for effect. “Usher, Bobby Brown, R. Kelly, Maxwell, or D’Angelo. I never put myself in a bracket with them.” True, the Lucy Pearl and Tony! Toni! Toné! frontman kept his sound and marketing underground with an

It's Monday afternoon in New York City and Raphael Saadiq is going incognito in Times Square. Pedestrians glance in his direction as if they recognize him, but his laidback persona keeps them guessing. It's evident during our quest to find something edible in the lunch hour that the soul funkster doesn't rush. Saadiq, with his unassuming style and demeanor, carefully chooses a classic quiet Italian eatery over trendier fare. When examining his approach to choosing something as simple as a restaurant, it's apparent why many consider him a sleeper act despite his decade and a half career - he wants it that way. Why should people buy Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray instead of something else? Because I been making records for 15 years. NahÂ… I think people will enjoy this record. I made this record in three and a half months. It was difficult for me because I didn't want a rap record, but everything worked out well. What was your goal with the Ray Ray blaxploitation film theme? Every record for me is like a film. This is my way of making my own movie. The movie is Ray Ray. This is more of a weekend record, it has a Friday, Saturday feel. You've produced for everyone, do you consider yourself more of an artist or a producer? I am more of an artist, even though I produce more than I make my own records. The producer thing just kind of came, it's a way to learn from different artists. It keeps you edgy and it keeps people guessing which elongates your career. What's up with Tony! Toni! TonÃ©!? Everybody took a break to do what they do. When I left the Tony's I went to do another group Lucy Pearl. I like being a part of groups, but we just grow in different directions. It was a good thing for us to part, everyone went out and started different companies. Speaking of Lucy Pearl, why is Dawn Robinson on the new album, I thought there may be some tension between the two of you since she quit Lucy Pearl? Teedra Moses is a good friend of mine. And Dawn sings with Teedra sometimes. I bumped into her, when I went to hear Teedra in Palm Springs. We ended up talking and she told me how strong she felt about working together. I called her to do "Rifle Love" on my new album, and I called my brother to sing on it. So it will be Raphael Saadiq featuring Tony! Toni! TonÃ©! on a Lucy Pearl single. Since Joi replaced Dawn in Lucy Pearl, is she upset that Dawn is back in the group? Joi is definitely Joi. Lucy Pearl was never her thing. She works so hard at being Joi. So Lucy Pearl would just be holding her down. What happens if Dawn leaves again? Lucy Pearl is not a group that is meant to stay together. It's like a traveling wheel barrel. It works with celebrities - we could have Mary J. Blige. It's an ever changing thing. Who would be your dream artist to produce? I don't really have one of those. Everything comes thru trial and error. I just bumped into Mary J. Blige in England. And she said we should work together. Things happen like that and I'm a fan of hers. Of course, I would like to work with Michael, Prince, and Stevie. I am also open to new artists. People in the industry that are already out, are already well produced. You have managed to keep your personal life on lock, you have been out for 15 years but we know nothing about you. I'm not really low-key, I just do what I do. I don't go where people go, I am in the 'hood a lot. You don't end up in Vibe while at a party in Crenshaw. I'm not at the parties in Manhattan or the fashion spots in Paris. What's the next big thing from Pookie Entertainment? The Ray Ray album of course, after that The Tony's album, third is the Lucy Pearl record. I just signed Portrait, we gonna' bring them back. Michelangelo worked with me on my new album. He did "Chic like you" and "Detroit Girl." Just bring back music that wouldn't be heard if someone wasn't taking a chance and putting it out. Any concepts in mind for the "Rifle Love" video? We decided not to shoot a video, but Europe wants me to shoot a video. It's so difficult to get a video on BET. When you become an older artist, it's really difficult to get them to play your video. They are not playing the new De La Soul video. But then MTV will play it before they will. I don't even know why they call it Black Entertainment Television. What's your favorite song to perform? Probably "Still Ray" from my last album or "Anniversary" from The Tony's. I never play anything from Lucy Pearl since I have so much material to choose from. Do you feel respected as an artist? Some would say that I don't since I am not all over the place. But I think I do, I make enough money, I own a few homes. I take care of my mother and family. That's all the respect that I need, I don't really need it from a record executive. Tell me what comes to mind when you hear these wordsÂ… Naomi Campbell Beautiful legs Al Sharpton Clever Southern California Beautiful girls and friendly people Truth Hurts Big lips and big ole' biddies Tevin Campbell Where the hell is he? Check out a new track from Raphael Saadiq's Ray Ray - Listen to "I Love Her"

Article tags: VIBE.com, Interview, Raphael, Saadiq, Ray, Ray's, Revenge