Yeah, this next skit right here is about my hometown, Oakland, California Home of the Oakland Raiders Home of J. Kidd, Jason Kidd Home of Todd, Too $hort Home of G.P., Gary Payton Home of Shakur, 2Pac, you know But, I tell everybody, man Just ‘cause you from The Town don’t mean you gotta stay in The Town and ride out, let The Town kill you You gotsta move out and do something then come back and help your people You just can’t stay there and sit there and rot Just ‘cause we from Oakland—you gotsta leave this town
That’s the opening to “Tek 2” from Instant Vintage, a 2002 album by Raphael Saadiq, who was part of Oakland’s multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! in the late 80s, early 90s. Until a friend shared a song by Saadiq with me last weekend, I had never heard of them. (I’m from the Bay, but am gradually beginning to realize that my Latina mama and white dad may have missed some crucial musical education in my upbringing, especially when it comes to local Black artists.)
Saadiq’s story is incredible, and all I’ve done is skimmed it. Born and and raised in Oakland, and then—shortly before turning 18—auditioned in SF for Sheila E’s backing band on Prince’s Parade Tour. “Next thing I was in Tokyo, in a stadium, singin’ ‘Erotic City.’ We were in huge venues with the biggest sound systems in the world; all these roadies throwin’ me basses, and a bunch of models hangin’ round Prince to party. For almost two years. That was my university.”
After Tony! Toni! Toné! disbanded, Saadiq worked solo and went on to produce songs for a long list of legends, including Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Solange Knowles, and John Legend. Now I know another reason why Solange’s A Seat at the Table is one of the greatest albums ever. If you need somewhere to start, like I did, you can’t do wrong with Instant Vintage, Saadiq’s first solo album. An hour and 15 minutes of outstanding, soulful R&B—and the last 15 is one long song. Uncork a bottle of wine, and enjoy.
