Erykah Badu

At 53 years old, Erykah Badu has this physical status:

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), also known as Erykah Badu (or Erykah Badu), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.

Badu's career began in 1994 in Fort Worth, Texas; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was captivated by her appearance and joined Kedar Entertainment.

Baduizm, her first album, was released in February 1997.

"On & On," "Next Lifetime," and "Otherside of the Game" are three singles from the studio.

The album was designated triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Live, her first live album, was released in November 1997 and was awarded double platinum by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIAA). Mama's Gun, her second studio album, was released in 2000.

It gave rise to three singles, "Bag Lady," her first top ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 tops at #6, "Didn't Cha Know" topped the charts. "Cleva" and "Cleva."

The RIAA awarded Platinum status to the album.

Worldwide Underground, Badu's third album, was released in 2003.

It produced three singles: "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)," "Danger" and "Back in the Day"; with "Love" being her second song to reach the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at #9 in the Billboard Hot 100, it reached #9.

The RIAA awarded the album a Gold medal.

New Amerykah Part One, Badu's fourth album, was released in 2008.

"Honey" and "Soldier" were two of its singles, which culminated in two singles: "Honey" and "Soldier."

In 2010, Amerykah Part Two was launched, and it performed well both critically and commercially.

It featured the album's lead single, "Window Seat," which caused controversy. Badu, who grew up with R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop, became synonymous with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s, as well as musicians like D'Angelo.

Badu has been described as the queen of neo souls.

Billie Holiday has been likened to jazz singer Billie Holiday.

Badu began her career in her career with her eccentric style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps.

She was a founding member of the Soulquarians.

She has appeared in documentaries including Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules, and House of D. She has also appeared in films including the Black Power Mixtapes.

Early life

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Texas. After divorced from her father, William Wright Jr., her mother, her brother Eevin, and her sister alone. The children's maternal and paternal grandmothers were often aided in looking after them. Badu had her first glimpse of show business at the age of four, performing and dancing at the Dallas Theater Center and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), under the direction of her godmother, Gwen Hargrove, and uncle TBAAL founder Curtis King.

Badu was a teenager at the age of 14, and he and such talent as Roy Hargrove were freestyling for a local radio station. She had to change the spelling of her first name from Erica to Erykah as a child because her new name was a "slave name." The word "kah" refers to the inner self. She adopted the surname "Badu" because it is her favorite jazz scat sound; also, among the Akan people in Ghana, it is the term for the 10th-born child.

Badu went on to study theater at Grambling State University, a historically black university, after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She left the university in 1993 before graduating in order to concentrate more on music. Badu used to work minimum wage jobs to help herself. At the South Dallas Cultural Center, she taught drama and dance to children. Robert "Free" Bradford, Robert "Free" Bradford's cousin, was on tour with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, which piqued Kedar Massenburg's interest. Badu brought "Your Precious Love" to D'Angelo's recording and then signed her to Universal Records, a worldwide record.

Personal life

In 2006, Badu went vegan: "Vege food is soul food in its truest form." Soul food means to nourish the soul. Your soul, it seems, is your goal. You are pure if your intention is pure.' Badu divides her time between her hometown and Fort Greene, New York.

Badu joined rapper André 3000 of OutKast in 1995, with whom she had her first child, Seven Sirius Benjamin, who was born in 1997. Their friendship came to an end in 1999. OutKast's late 2000s hit "Ms. Jackson," which was influenced by André 3000's then friendship with Badu and her mother. The song debuted on Billboard Hot 100, and it would go on to win a Grammy Award.

Puma Sabti Curry, Badu's daughter, was born on July 5, 2004, and Puma's father, Puma Sabti Curry, was born in Puma, Texas; Puma's father is Puma Sabti Curry; Puma Sabti Curry, is a Texas-based rapper. Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba Thedford, with her boyfriend, rapper Jay Electronica, on February 1, 2009.

Badu's DNA was tested on the 2014 Okayplayer platform and web television HelloAfrica TV, and genealogists researched her family roots. Badu's DNA revealed that she is a part of West and Central African descent, specifically the Bamileke people of Cameroon.

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Career

Baduizm, Badu's debut album, was released in early 1997. The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard charts and number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Baduizm's commercial and critical success made Badu firmly established the group as one of the top neo soul artists in the emerging neo soul movement. The British Phonographic Industry Association of America, Gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association, and Billie Holiday praised her particular style of singing.

The album had four singles; the lead single "On & On" was released in December 1996 and debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts and the UK Singles Charts, as well as making a debut on the New Zealand charts. Badu's first nomination and win at the Grammy Awards, where "On & On" received Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album were also awarded Best R&B Album, and the album received Best R&B Album.

Badu's first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the recording's release coincided with his birth. The album debuted on November 18, 1997 and debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 and first on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number one on the US Billboard 200. The album was awarded two times platinum by the Royal Institute of British Agricultural Association (RIAA) for shipments of over two million copies. "Tyrone," the album's lead single, was released in October 1997 and became the first R&B hit single. A song chiding a clumsy, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend, "Tyrone" is a song. Badu also collaborated with the Roots (who had previously worked on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their 1997 debut Things Fall Apart. Eve of The Roots and American female rapper Eve performed on "You Got Me." Jill Scott's song, which was written in the United States, reached 39 in the United States and 31 in the United Kingdom, despite being unable to reach them. In 1999, the artist went on to win the Roots and Badu Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun after taking some time off to raise her child. The album was described as more natural in sound than her previous studio album, and it was mainly produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. As the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks, a remix of one of the album's songs, "Bag Lady," was released. The album was well-received, with lyrical content receiving raves from various publications. On her first appearances, reviewers found some of her songs difficult to decipher. Despite not achieving as well as her first two albums, Mama's Gun, along with "Bag Lady" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Badu was in a passionate relationship with fellow Soulquarian Commons by 2000. As a part of the Brown Sugar soundtrack, the two artists collaborated on "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" in a release. "Love of My Life" debuted on the pop charts, topped the R&B charts, and Badu received her fourth Grammy Award for it in 2003. Badu's Gun World Tour began in 2001. On February 10, the tour began in North America at the Allen Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. Badu suffered with writer's block after the release of Mama's Gun and "Love of My Life."

Worldwide Underground, her third studio album, was released on September 16, 2003. The album was more jam-oriented than any of her prior debuts, and Badu said that the album was supposed to be a "one continuous groove." Upon its launch, Worldwide Underground was chastised for its loose, irregular, and songwriting, but critical feedback remained favorable, with the album receiving mostly positive feedback. The album did well on the market, and it debuted at number three on the US charts, and it debuted at number three. Billboard 200 chart first appeared in the week of October 4, 2003, with 143,561 copies being sold in the first week. Overall, spending 11 weeks on the Billboard 200, it also appeared at number two on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Albums and spent 30 weeks on the chart. The album had sold 394,000 copies in the United States by December 2003. Following orders in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States, the Worldwide Underground Company of America was named gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 28, 2003. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 609,000 copies in the United States.

"Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)", its first single, debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip Songs chart, and at number one. "Danger" the second single on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart reached number 82 on the Hot 100 and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while "Back in the Day (Puff)" peaked at number 62, according to the Hot R&B/Hip Songs chart. Badu's album received four additional Grammy nominations. She appeared on Zap Mama's album Ancestry in Progress (2004), adding her vocals to the song "Bandy Bandy." In 2004, Badu embarked on the "Worldwide Underground Tour." The support act Floetry, who performed in New Orleans on February 3, began in New Orleans on February 3 and lasted through the winter and spring with support act Floetry joining the tour in Houston on February 5th. At the February 11 show in Los Angeles, the Roots performed a special opening act. Badu returned to Europe in the fall with additional dates in America and Europe.

In 2005, she was a judge for the 4th Annual Independent Music Awards to promote independent artists' careers. Badu co-founded the Sugar Water Festival with Queen Latifah and Jill Scott. During the summer of 2005 and 2006, the trek went to amphitheaters and arenas in the United States. It began in 2005 as an effort to bring health concerns to African-American women. During the 2005 show, the British duo Floetry opened shows. In 2006, the festival was revived for a brief period with Kelis opening the show and comedian Mo'Nique hosting the festival. It was the last year in 2006, so it was the last year. The festival had intended to grow into Europe and Asia, but it did not come to fruition. Badu's Summer Tour in 2006 was a concert tour. The tour began in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 10 with three shows in the United States, and in July for several shows in Europe. Badu co-headlined on dates with Jill Scott and Queen Latifah at the Sugar Water Festival in August.

Erykah received the idea in 2005 from underground artist 1080Temu, but Badu had never signed the deal, but she went forward without official permission. Badu, among other things, started interacting with and receiving music from Questlove, Q-Tip, and J Dilla. She later started using her laptop as a mini recording studio to produce various backing tracks for songs, which resulted in the album's primary recording sessions at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Badu was reported to have three albums in the works for release in 2007 and 2008. In November 2007, a new single by 9th Wonder called "Honey." Universal Motown Records' fourth studio album, New Amerykah Part One, was released in the United States on February 26, 2008, Badu's 37th birthday. On February 29, in Australia and the United Kingdom, on March 29, and in Japan on March 12, it was released in European countries on February 29, and in Japan on March 12. The bonus track "Real Thang" appears in both Japanese and Australian editions. "Tumbling Dice Remix" was included as a bonus track on the iTunes Store as a bonus track on the album's digital version. On March 11, Amerykah Part One was also released as a double vinyl LP and in a USB stick style.

"Honey," the album's lead single, was released on December 11, 2007. It climbed to 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100, on which it spent three weeks. The song also ranked at number 22 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and lasted 17 weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. Critics also lauded New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) upon its announcement. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, selling 125,000 copies in its first week. It was Badu's best opening week since her debut album Baduizm in 1997. It also ranked second on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, ranked second. According to Nielsen Soundscan, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) sold 359,000 copies in the United States by early 2010.

Erykah Badu appeared at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans over the weekend, well before Halloween 2008. The album debuted at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart, on which it spent one week. It debuted at number 49 on the French Albums Chart and spent 11 weeks in France. It debuted at number ten on the Swiss Albums Top 100 and spent six weeks in Switzerland. The album debuted at number 25 in the Netherlands and spent seven weeks on the Mega Album Top 100. It reached number nine in Poland and spent eight weeks on the Polish Albums Chart, reaching the top of the charts. The album's highest international charting was at number five in Sweden, where it charted for seven weeks.

Badu embarked on two world tours between 2008 and 2009. The Vortex Tour (2008) was a tour in support of New Amerykah Part One. The United States Tour started in Detroit, MI, on May 4 and concluded in Albuquerque, NM, on June 15. On June 25, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the second leg of the tour reached Europe. Badu toured around Europe in the month of July for the month of July. Several more shows were added in the United States throughout August. In 2009, the Jam Tour was a summer music festival tour. Badu began in March, and the tour ended in Dallas, Texas, on October 16. Badu performed dates in North America twice and Europe, and Europe; Badu performed dates throughout North America twice and Europe; Badu appeared as a special guest co-headliner on hip-hop artist Mos Def's "Ecstatic Tour" on select September dates during the second leg.

Badu's fifth studio album, "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), was released on Universal Motown in the United States on March 30, 2010. It was first published in Japan on April 14, 2010. Critics generally applauded the album upon its debut. The album debuted on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week. It also ranked second on Billboard's R&B/Hip Albums chart, ranked second. New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) debuted at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart and at number nine on the R&B Albums Chart, ranked 56th in the UK and at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart and at number nine on the R&B Albums Chart. The album debuted at number 36 on the Top 100 and at number five on the R&B Top 50 chart, with a score of number six. New Amerykah Part Two achieved modest market success, with a peak in several countries, including Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark, ranking within the top 50 in several nations, including Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Badu promoted the album on television shows on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Wendy Williams Show, Chelsea Lately, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Good Day New York during March 2010. She appeared on the front page of EQ magazine in April and was also included in the publications Nylon, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York, Spin, Vibe, Paste, and People. On March 31, 2010, Badu appeared at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles for a surprise midnight performance.

On Badu's official website in January 2010, the internet-only promotional single "Jump Up in the Air (Stay There) starring Lil Wayne and Bilal was released. Badu's musical director, RC Williams, said a music video for the track was shot in Dallas. Badu's first official single, "Window Seat," was revealed on her Twitter page by a downloadable link. According to Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the album debuted at number 16 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)", Badu's second single, was released online on March 24, 2010. It dominated the R&B/Hip Songs chart for three weeks, peaking at number 87. "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" directed by Flying Lotus appeared on Wednesday, February 9, 2011. Badu herself and a friend and associated music group Questlove from the Roots were caught on Twitter.

Badu filmed the video for her song "Window Seat" at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination of President John F. Kennedy on March 13, 2010. "This was shot guerrilla style, no crew, no closed set, no warning, 2 min., Downtown Dallas, then ran like hell," she posted on her Twitter account. The staff did not have permission or authorization from the city. Badu shed her clothes as she walked along a Dallas sidewalk until she was nude at the site where Kennedy was shot. Badu's head jerked back, and she collapsed to the ground, and a shot rang out as the song ended. As Badu's children were rescued nearby, they might have been seen walking. Badu said, "I didn't know about nude in the presence of minors until I saw them," she replied, and in my mind, I attempted to express my good intention to them telepathically." That's all I could do, and I hoped they wouldn't be traumatized."

Badu said on The Wanda Sykes Show on April 3, 2010 that it was not her intention to disrespect the memory of late President John F. Kennedy (JFK): "I had grossly misunderstood all over America." JFK is one of my heroes, one of the country's heroes. John F. Kennedy was a revolutionary; he was not afraid to butt heads with America; and I was not afraid to tell America my butt-naked truth." In the event that Badu was arrested, Coodie and Chike, the producers of the "Window Seat" film, said they had bail money on hand during filming. Badu said the film was a protest against "groupthink" and was inspired by Matt and Kim's music film "Lessons Learned." Badu also said she has "no regrets."

Badu appeared on Flying Lotus's fourth album, Until the Quiet Comes. Badu appeared on the debut album of Rocketjuice and The Moon, which was released in March 2012, as well as Robert Glasper's album Black Radio. Badu appeared on "Treehome95" from Tyler, The Creator's second studio album, Wolf, as well as "Heaven for the Sinner" from Bonobo's album The North Borders. "Q.U.E.N.E.N." Badu appeared on Janelle Monáe's first single from her second studio album, The Electric Lady. The album premiered on SoundCloud and was available for download at the iTunes Store on April 23, 2013. The album debuted at 47 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Songs charts, peaking at 47.

Badu revealed in May 2013 that she was planning her next project but not in putting a deadline on it. Badu revealed in July 2014 that she was still on the album and had been recording in Africa in April, where she was "laying down drum tracks." Badu also revealed that she would have meetings with her record company ahead of her African tour to set a deadline for the album. Badu's album came out later this year, claiming she was working with producer Flying Lotus, who she discovered on MySpace years ago; they later met in Los Angeles at guitarist Steve Wilson's house.

Badu appeared on "Rememory," a Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's track "Beaconvention" in 2015. Badu launched a free mixtape of her favorite songs in July 2015, describing the collection as "carefully and lovingly selected high frequency tones for the soul." The mixtape contains mainly vintage funk, soul, and jazz tracks. Erykah Badu performed at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas, for the Deep Ellum venue's grand opening on March 26, 2015. Sarah Jaffe, a Dallas native, appeared on the sold-out show as well.

Badu unveiled a remix of Drake's single "Hotline Bling" in early October and later released But You Caint Use My Phone, a blendtape, on November 27, 2015, making it available exclusively through Apple Music. However, You Caint Use My Phone was announced to other digital stores and streaming services on December 4, 2015. After one week of exclusive launch on iTunes, But You Caint Use My Phone was launched on December 4, 2015. Due to Badu's sending the mixtape straight to iTunes, the artist was not aware of her brand Universal. Control Freaq, Badu's first appearance under her own name, was also on display. But You Can't Use My Phones The phone had generally favorable feedback from reviewers and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, with 35,000 equivalent album units selling in its first week. The 2015, 2016, and the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards were also broadcasts by Badu.

Badu revealed a sequel to But You Caint Use My Phone in 2016 within two months; however, this mixtape hasn't appeared. Badu also released Trill Friends, Thru It All, and Come See Badu in a year. On January 24, 2018, she announced the debut of a new mixtape, but the aforementioned mixtape is unveiled. Badu revealed that she was making strides on her sixth studio album in a Vulture magazine.

Badu's annual "Still Boomin" sold-out birthday bash at The Bomb Factory on February 26, 2016, marking her second appearance at the venue since its grand opening 11 months earlier. Badu's close friend Dave Chappelle was the host of the festival, which included a surprise appearance by André 3000 of the duo Outkast. Zach Witness and Cameron McCloud, Dallas' local hip hop artists, have been enlisted as her supporting acts. In the film The Land, Badu also starred Turquoise. Badu also released The Land, which starred rapper Nas, for the film.

Erykah Badu and her band appeared live on August 15, 2018. After her 2008 experience being misquoted, NPR released a new What's Good with Stretch & Bobbito podcast episode featuring Erykah Badu, her inherited sense of humor from her mother, stand-up comedy, and the avoidance of print interviews after her 2008 experience being misquoted. Prince Fans of NTS' Sound of Color Badu premiered a studio recording of a previously unveiled and unidentified song titled Money Can't Buy Me Love on Saturday.

Badu teased the unveiling of A New Work, which she performed live at Barcelona's Primavera Sound Festival, tentatively named The Work (The Way She Sees). Badu's Tempted, a cover of Tempted by Squeeze in collaboration with instrumentalist James Poyser, was released the following day. This is her first official single since Phone Down in 2015. Badu revealed plans to upload her sixth studio album "soon" in September via a message sent to a fan on Instagram.

She appeared on "Beehoove" alongside D'Angelo on Slingbaum's first studio album, Slingbaum One, in May 2020. Badu appeared on singer Teyana Taylor's album "Lowkey" on June 19, 2020.

Badu was involved in the live streamed recording of Bilal's EP VOYAGE-19 in August 2020, which was created entirely during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The following month, it was announced with proceeds from its sales going to participating musicians in financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.

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