Taalib Johnson, better known as MUSIQ SOULCHILD, was raised on the sounds of vintage soul, and has channeled its positive, celebratory spirit over a multi-million-selling twenty-year career. Rolling Stone calls him “arguably the best soul singer … since Prince” – an accolade that speaks for itself. With twelve GRAMMY nominations under his belt, two platinum records and two gold records, he visits the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival with a goldmine of timeless hooks, and a hot-as-embers band.
Johnson was born in Philadelphia, and earned the nickname “musiq” because he was rarely seen without an instrument in his hand – as per the artist, “That’s how much I dug it; when you see me, I want you to automatically think of music.” By the age of 24, he had his first #1 record, Juslisen, which went platinum. Appearances on records by Talib Kweli, Ice Cube, and the Roots deepen his contributions to modern R&B and hip-hop.
Brooklyn’s 10-piece PEOPLE’S CHAMPS blend afrobeat, indie rock, and hip-hop into a “dance party waiting to happen.” (Consequence of Sound) Their horn section moonlights as The Superpower Horns, the studio section for none other than Beyoncé. This young supergroup is “well on their way to becoming NYC’s de facto funk and Afrobeat experience.” (Deli Magazine)