Raphael Saadiq to release a new album after an eight year break

Raphael Saadiq, a Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter, and collaborator to many of R&B’s superstars (Solange, Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo) has been quiet for a while. Everything that can be found online, which is not a lot, is dated a few years back but Saadiq’s fans are staying put and are about to be pleasantly surprised: On August 23rd Raphael Saadiq is releasing a new record, Jimmy Lee, via Columbia Records – his first album in eight years.

It is a deeply personal collection of songs “inspired by his brother’s struggles with addiction that explores the razor’s edge people walk as they pursue pleasure that leads to pain” Saadiq’s team shared. Jimmy Lee is album that dives into “the temptations, fragilities and vulnerabilities on the journey to becoming a man”. The album, a follow up to Stone Rollin’ released in 2011, is self-produced by the singer and recorded at Blakeslee Recording Co. in North Hollywood. Among many surprises that this release brings are collaborations with Brook D’Leau, Kendrick Lamar, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

This journey begins with the lead single “Something Keeps Calling” – see it now above.

Last week Saadiq made an appearance at the Roots Picnic, he also announced his upcoming headline performance at Afropunk Paris in July as well as a handful of other tour dates for 2019.

Aug 3 – Columbia, MD – Summer Spirit Fest
Aug 23 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey
Sep 5 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Ballroom
Sep 6 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
Sep 7 – Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Festival
Sep 8-9 – Atlanta, GA – ONE Musicfest
Sep 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg