January 7, 2003 -- RAPHAEL SAADIQ has racked up five nominations for the 45th Annual Grammy® Awards for his INSTANT VINTAGE album, his hit single “Be Here” (featuring D’Angelo), as well as his songwriting contribution on “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” by Erykah Badu featuring Common from the “Brown Sugar” soundtrack:

For INSTANT VINTAGE:
Best R&B Album (INSTANT VINTAGE)
Best R&B Song (for “Be Here”)
Best Urban/Alternative Performance (for “Be Here”)

For “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)”: 
Best R&B Song
Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

“Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” was written by Raphael Saadiq, Erykah Badu, Robert Ozuna, James Poyser and Glen Standridge.
“Be Here” was written by Raphael Saadiq, Michael Archer, Bobby Ozuna and Glen Standridge.

“These nominations came as a great surprise,” says Raphael.  “I feel very appreciated and blessed that people have recognized the effort and work that went into my debut album and ‘Love Of My Life.’  I’m very thankful to my fans and peers for lending me their ear.”

INSTANT VINTAGE has garnered much critical acclaim since its release in June 2002.  Here’s how Vibe described it:  “If his new sound were an outfit, it would be a bell-bottom, patchwork catsuit of silk, suede, cashmere, and macramé, with funky armpit stains.”

Raphael is no stranger to the Grammy® community.  His previous work with Lucy Pearl scooped up a nomination for their 2000 self-titled debut album.  With D’Angelo, he wrote and produced the Grammy® winning “Untitled” from his 2000 VOODOO album, as well as the Grammy® nominated “Lady” from his 1995 BROWN SUGAR debut album. 
In other news, Raphael has amicably split from Universal Records, the label which released INSTANT VINTAGE.  He’s currently looking for a new deal and hopes to have a new affiliation in place within the next few months.  In the meantime, he’s continuing to keep busy producing other artists and writing new songs for release this year by such artists as D’Angelo, Nappy Roots, Warren G, Kelly Price, Jaguar Wright, Terry Dexter, Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Jonnell, and new artists L and Jack Herrera.  His production and songwriting work can currently be heard on “So So Dumb” from TLC’s 3D album.