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Erykah Badu

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Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971),[1] better known by her stage name Erykah Badu, is a multiple Grammy-winner, African-American soul singer and songwriter, whose work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz.[1] She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical stylings and sense of fashion. She is known as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul" or the "Queen of Neo".

Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful headwraps. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. She was a core member of the Soulquarians, and is also an actress having appeared in a number of films playing a range of supporting roles in movies such as Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules, and House of D, she is also very prominent in the documentary film Before the Music Dies.

Biography

Early life

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in South Dallas, Texas, on February 26, 1971. Her mother raised her and her brother and sisters alone; their father, William Wright, Jr., had left the family early in their lives. To provide for her family, the children's grandmother often helped in looking after them while Erykah's mother, Kollen Maria Gipson (Wright), performed as an actress in theatrical productions. Influenced by her mother, Erykah had her first taste of show business at the age of 4, singing and dancing with her mother at the Dallas Theatre Centre. By the age of 14, Erykah was free-styling for a local radio station alongside such talent as Roy Hargrove. In her early youth, she decided to change the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she firmly believed her original name to be her 'slave' name. The term 'kah' signifies the inner self. Badu is also an African name for the 10th born child used for the Ashanti people in Ghana[2][3]. Additionally in a letter written to Erykah from her father, "Badu in Arabic means truth and light...good choice kid." Erykah Badu currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Badu went on to study theater at the historically black college Grambling State University. Concentrating on music full-time, she left the university in 1993 before graduating and took on several minimum wage jobs to support herself. She taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. Working and touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, she recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg, who set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal Records.[3]

Music career

Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single "On & On" reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday.[4] Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with "On & On," won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.

During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child.[5] Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in "Tyrone", a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend.[6] Badu also collaborated with the Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song "You Got Me", co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, "Bag Lady," was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases.[7] Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and "Bag Lady" was nominated for a Grammy.

By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. "Love of My Life" hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy for the song in 2003.[8]

After the release of Mama's Gun and "Love of My Life", Badu went through a period of writer's block.[9] She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour", in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September 2003, the Worldwide Underground album was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove.[10] Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the album.

Badu was also a judge for the 4th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.[11]

After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. "Honey", a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008. Erykah Badu is set to perform at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans the weekend before Halloween 2008.[12]

On August 23, 2008, Badu joined the rock band My Morning Jacket on stage at their show in Dallas, Texas, to perform her song "Tyrone". Her surprise appearance was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.[13]

According to Pitchfork Media, the second installment of Badu's New Amerykah series, Part Two (Return of the Ankh), is set to be released on August 18, 2009.[14] Badu is scheduled to appear at the 2009 Memorial Day weekend Jazz Reggae Festival at UCLA.

Musical style

Badu's lyrics challenge listeners with their highly personal, emotional, philosophical, and political content. She weaves disparate musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound. References to old school rappers and songs add a general Hip hop sensibility to her music.

Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with D'Angelo in musical genre. An eclectic collaborator, she has performed with artists from many different genres and backgrounds, among them roots reggae musician and singer Burning Spear.

In the May 2008 Peach Magazine issue, Badu reflected on her change in genre and former practice of wearing headwraps. Having been dubbed the "Queen of Neo-Soul" in the 90's, she found the label inaccurate and meaningless, saying:

Neo-soul is dead. I never knew what that was anyway.

But she states she definitely knows who she is today.

A producer and director of her own videos and stage shows, Badu stated:

I try to be as honest as I can. Being humble is so 2007.

.

Art is my religions. You don't see the head wraps anymore because I am the head wrap.

Personal life

Badu has a son named Seven Sirius born in 1997 with ex-partner Andre 3000 of OutKast. From 2000 to 2002 she dated rapper Common. On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma Sabti, in her Dallas home; Puma's father is West Coast rapper The D.O.C. who is originally from Dallas, Texas. On February 1, 2009 Badu gave birth to her third child at home, a girl named Mars Merkaba, with her boyfriend of five years, rapper Jay Electronica.[15] In attendance were her two children Puma and Seven. Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). Badu divides her time between Fort Greene, Brooklyn,[16] and Dallas, Texas.

Badu also remains an activist in her hometown of South Dallas. Her charity organization, Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3), provides community-driven development for inner-city youth through music, dance, theater and visual arts.

Acting career

Badu appeared in the films Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules, House of D, Before the Music Dies, and Dave Chappelle's Block Party. She is reported to have a leading role alongside Mos Def in the upcoming Indie film, Bobby Zero, which tells a story of a struggling couple who hit rock bottom after Mos Def gives up his dream of artistic aspirations to pursue a advertising corporate job to make ends meet. [17] She also appeared in scenes of the music video of Miko Marks' 2006 recording 'Mama' and Common's video for "The Light" as well as making a special appearance on the sitcom Girlfriends. She was named the latest muse to fashion designer Tom Ford in 2008 as the face of his White Patchouli fragrance. Ford, also long time friends with Badu, considered her the best choice for the campaign. “I have always considered her a true beauty … she just fits,” says Ford.[18]

Discography

Main article: Erykah Badu discography

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Erykah Badu

References

  1. ^ a b c Bush, John. "Erykah Badu - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  2. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akan_name
  3. ^ a b Erykah Badu - Brief Article - Interview | Jet | Find Articles at BNET.com
  4. ^ Rock On The Net: Erykah Badu
  5. ^ south by southwest festivals + conferences
  6. ^ Erykah Badu plans to make music, money and babies - Cover Story | Ebony | Find Articles at BNET.com
  7. ^ Erykah Badu: Mama's Gun : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone
  8. ^ Erykah Badu: on her career and her romance with Common - Biography | Ebony | Find Articles at BNET.com
  9. ^ Erykah Badu: Worldwide Underground - PopMatters Music Review
  10. ^ Net Music Countdown: Erykah Badu
  11. ^ Independent Music Awards - Past Judges
  12. ^ Z, Chris (June 6, 2008). "" Erykah Badu and Wyclef Join Voodoo Experience Bill"". planeturban.com. Retrieved July 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "My Morning Jacket & Erykah Badu Perform “Tyrone” in Dallas". Paaion of the Weiss. August 27, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
  14. ^ Nero, Mark Edward. 2009 R&B Music Preview: New Amerykah Part Two. About.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-29.
  15. ^ "Erykah Badu Twitters Third Child's Birth". Us Weekly. Wenner Media. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  16. ^ Melena Ryzik (March 2, 2008). The Mind of a One-Woman Multitude The New York Times. Accessed June 15, 2008.
  17. ^ http://www.bvonmovies.com/2008/11/14/erykah-badu-to-star-opposite-mos-def-in-bobby-zero/
  18. ^ http://blog.themavenreport.com/?p=6090
  19. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (2009-07-09). "Erykah Badu Recording 'New Amerykah: Pt. 2'". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2009-07-18.

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