**Raphael Saadiq’s Bitter Split from Tony! Toni! Toné! Still Haunts Him Years Later**
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the music community, Raphael Saadiq, a founding member of the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has opened up about the deep-seated grievances he holds against his former bandmates. The singer-songwriter, who has carved out a successful solo career, shared that financial mismanagement and betrayal played a pivotal role in his departure, and he likely never forgave the group for it.
Reflecting on the tumultuous days of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Saadiq recounted how the band’s financial structure caused irreparable rifts among its members. “When the money came in, we never got our 12%,” he shared. “They just kept all the money and gave us what they wanted to give us.” This revelation sheds light on a common plight many artists face: the dark side of fame and fortune.
The tension escalated further when Saadiq felt sidelined during the recording of Alicia Keys’s “Diary,” where only the other two members received credit as the full band. To make matters worse, the name “Tony! Toni! Toné!” is now owned by his brother, Dwayne Wiggins, who passed away recently, leaving the future of the group even murkier. “The industry got weird, and so did we,” he lamented, hinting at the internal struggles that plagued the band.
As Saadiq’s solo career took off, the scars of the past remained fresh. He expressed a mixture of resentment and understanding toward his former bandmates, acknowledging that while he moved on to create hits like “Ask of You” and “Anniversary,” the legacy of Tony! Toni! Toné! was complicated by unresolved issues and lawsuits from former members alleging financial misconduct.
This emotional saga illustrates the harsh reality of the music industry, where the bonds of friendship can unravel in the face of greed. As Raphael Saadiq continues to thrive as a solo artist, the specter of his past with Tony! Toni! Toné! looms large, reminding us that not all musical journeys end harmoniously.