Hip hop is dead. If Raphael Saadiq could, he would probably exclaim such a statement from the rooftops. In a genre in which Soulja Boy classifies a lyricist, there remains little hope for the new generation to provide fresh and new music. The solution, according to Saadiq? Look to the past, and bring back the soul and groove.

It’s something that Saadiq has been doing for his nearly 20 year music career, which has included playing for Prince at the age of 19, leading the group Tony! Toni! Toné!, producing hit records for artists such as D’Angelo, John Legend, Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill, as well as selling millions of records and collecting Grammy nominations of his own. His résumé is quite impressive, making him the ideal candidate to help conclude a series held by NYU’s Recorded Music Departments that looked at the influence of Motown records on the music industry. The series was entitled “Motown U.”

Saadiq himself is a glimpse into the past, but you wouldn’t be able to tell based on his demeanor or dress. He walked into the room wearing large trendy glasses and spoke like any musician would. There was no air of nostalgia about him. But throughout the night, as questions were asked, it was apparent that this man is a visionary. It’s no coincidence that he is constantly mistaken as a new artist- his songs are glimpses into the past, but they are refreshing in an era filled with cookie cutter songs and overused beats.

“I want to make music I’ve been listening to all my life,” Saadiq says of his vision and goal as an artist. His work sounds like something that Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder would rely on as an influence. His raspy voice and cool demeanor instantly draw comparisons to some of the most legendary of soul and R&B singers. His knowledge of music is vast, yet his approach is surprisingly simple.

“Being a good producer means being able to capture sounds you can make in your living room,” he says. “It’s sing-songy in a way that people can instantly capture it.”

The discussion involved a series of questions delving into his vast music career, from his days of playing various instruments in his church choir, to his days as a big-time record producer and solo artist. Throughout the event, Saadiq’s songs were played while the audience listened along. It was fascinating to watch Saadiq listen to songs from early in his career. His smile brought a sense of nostalgia that took us all back to a time when music had real soul.

But the man on stage is still a contemporary, and he’s still making music that is more relevant than ever. His new album is currently in the works, and if his past works are any indicator, it looks like his fans, and myself included, will be taken back to the free spirit of the Motown soul.