Raphael recently completed work with Mary J. Blige producing and writing two songs for her new album at his Blakeslee Recording complex in North Hollywood, CA. He’s now getting ready to shoot a video for "I Want You Back" (featuring Teedra Moses), the new single from his critically acclaimed RAPHAEL SAADIQ AS RAY RAY album, released October 5 on his Pookie label. Award-winning music video director Bryan Barber (OutKast’s “Hey Ya”) has been tapped to direct the clip, which will include an appearance by Teedra Moses. 

For the next Pookie Entertainment release, Raphael is in the process of compiling the best unused songs from production sessions over the last five years. This album will include tracks featuring TLC, Ginuwine, Erykah Badu, Kelis, Nappy Roots, Babyface, Angie Stone, Mos Def, and many others.  The album should be ready for release this summer. 

He continues to develop a DVD, which will include live and backstage footage shot on the tours for RAPHAEL SAADIQ AS RAY RAY and his Grammy® nominated INSTANT VINTAGE albums, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of Raphael in the recording studio. 

Meanwhile, Raphael is about to start working with Angie Stone, D'Angelo and Musiq for their new albums (all at Blakeslee), and his production expertise will soon be heard on new albums by Earth Wind & Fire, Bizarre from D12 and Nikka Costa. Songs he produced last year for Jill Scott, Kelis, the Isley Brothers, Mos Def, Teedra Moses, as well as Tupac Shakur’s latest posthumous album LOYAL TO THE GAME--which debuted on the album charts at #1--are all out now. 

Stay tuned for further details about all of Raphael’s exciting new projects.