If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what everyday stuff famous people add to their carts — like hair spray or an electric toothbrush. We asked musician and producer Raphael Saadiq about the natural deodorant, Danish lozenges, and running shoes he can’t live without.
I found these at Stag Provisions in Silverlake. The socks in particular caught my eye, and I’ve been wearing them with Birks and sneakers ever since. They look like they’d be thick, but they’re actually pretty breathable. I like how the material feels on my feet. I have different styles from them; they’re just part of my everyday comfort.
I’m not a fan of loud scents or colognes. I don’t like walking up to people and them immediately being able to smell me, either good or bad. This is a really subtle, natural scent that doesn’t take over the space. It also doesn’t have any aluminum in it, but it works all day. It’s hard to find a balance between something that’s more natural but not so much so that it only works for five minutes. It’s also not bad on the eyes if I leave it out in my bathroom.
I didn’t know that I was going to really like Aesop like that, but someone got it for my studio and it’s great. I’d work with people in the studio, and they’d come back from the bathroom and be like, “Man!” and start smelling their hands. But again, the scent isn’t too overbearing. It doesn’t bother people next to you. It’s really just between your nose and your hands. I like the Resurrection one. I keep it stocked at my house now. It just feels good to wash your hands with it. The texture’s not too thick or thin, and it doesn’t dry you out at all.
I’ve been using this for almost six years now. I discovered it when I was in Switzerland, and luckily, you can buy it online now, so it’s something I repurchase regularly. I like the way this one tastes. The mint isn’t as strong as the Colgate and Crest toothpastes, and it has other flavors in there so you get a more complex taste. It’s hard to describe, but I like it and how it makes my teeth feel after using it.
This is a Danish lozenge for colds and coughs. It has a black licorice taste to it that you don’t find as often here in the states. People hate black licorice here, but I grew up liking it instead of just Red Vines. I would actually use them on tour before going on stage every night, because it turns out they’re great for vocalists. I also ate them during breaks backstage, so there was a point where I was eating multiples every night. I think I enjoy them more when I’m touring, but I always have some ready in my car.
I’m a big coffee drinker. All of Bodum’s products are beautifully made — their glasses, cups — but I use this French press almost every day. After using it for so long, I’ve learned it’s better with dark roast coffee and I’ve perfected my coffee setup, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk. It’s a nice event to wake up to.
I walk and run in these shoes. I was actually at the New Balance store a couple years ago and noticed that these felt different than the rest. I asked one of the employees why, and he explained that there’s a metal piece in the middle of the shoe that helps you walk and land on your feet comfortably. It sort of asserts me in a different way when I run, making it easier for me to go. I’ve also worn these on tour. Last year, I wore them for my entire show, and it was perfect.
It’s a hobby of mine to buy and trade equipment, older equipment, and vintage equipment on the Reverb App. It’s a bad habit, actually. That’s what it is. You could buy a piece of equipment for $350 to $60,000. I think my favorite find was my Hofner 1964 Violin Bass. It’s the one that Paul McCartney played with the Beatles. It’s an amazing sounding instrument. It has a tone for records that’s one of the most slept-on sounds for a bass.
I recently read this. It’s an amazing story for any musician or even non-musician about his life story of persevering on an instrument and the time and sacrifices it took to play the instrument. It’s a beautiful love story about family and dedication, and also the shifts that music went through back then. I can sort of relate it to the shift that’s happening today in music and teaches you to be like Charlie Parker. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in your industry, it’s about moving forward to better yourself as a musician.
Powell’s Books is one of the best bookstores in the country. It’s in Portland, Oregon, and I can get lost in that store. They always have first print editions from authors I like, like James Baldwin books or Chester Himes. They have a huge presence online too, so I’ll always keep their app on my phone. I think the last book I got from them was a first edition of The Quality of Hurt by Chester Himes.
[Editor’s note: Powell’s Books is currently sold out of their copies, so we provided a link to an in-stock option of the book.]
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