Raphael Saadiq on the stories behind 5 of his prettiest, funkiest, tuba-heaviest hits

The 58-year-old musician, who’s been instrumental in R&B for four decades, shared: ‘For a brief moment, they didn’t recognize me, but they soon caught on.’ He’s the one behind a diverse range of songs, sometimes working solo, other times with a group, and often contributing to the success of more renowned (though not necessarily more gifted) artists. Reflecting on the encounter, he said: ‘They played my tracks, and eventually someone asked me about my thoughts when I hear them. After some reflection, I realized that they’ve endured through the years.’