ERYKAH BADU

(Thanks to Dawn)

Erykah Badu (b. Erica Abi Wright, February 26, 1971) is a Grammy Award winning, American R&B, soul, and hip hop singer and songwriter, whose work encompasses elements of jazz. 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. Early in her career she 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 diverse range of supporting roles.

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. 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. 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 AndrĂŠ 3000 of OutKast, and their relationship produced 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. 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 innattentive boyfriend. 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. 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.
After the release of Mama's Gun and "Love of My Life," Badu went through a period of writer's block. 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 of 2003, the Worldwide Underground EP 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. 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 EP.
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 of 2007, and the new album is scheduled for February 26th of 2008, with rumors of the next two albums following in six-month intervals.

Music style

Badu's lyrics are highly personal philosophies which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound. In many instances she references old school rappers and songs in her songs, adding 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.

Discography

Albums:

Baduizm (1997) (3x Platinum)

"Rimshot (Intro)"
"On & On"
"Appletree"
"Otherside of the Game"
"Sometimes"
"Next Lifetime"
"Afro"
"Certainly"
"4 Leaf Clover"
"No Love"
"Drama"
"Sometimes..."
"Certainly [Flipped It]"
"Rimshot (Outro)"

Badzuim Live (1997) (2x Platinum)

Mama's Gun (2000) (Platinum)

"Penitentiary Philosophy"
"Didn't Cha Know?"
"My Life"
"...& On"
"Cleva"
"Hey Sugah"
"Booty"
"Kiss Me on My Neck (Hesi)"
"A.D. 2000"
"Orange Moon"
"In Love With You"
"Bag Lady"
"Time's a Wastin"
"Green Eyes"

Worldwide Underground (2003) (Gold)

"World Keeps Turnin' (Intro)"
"Bump It"
"Back in the Day (Puff)"
"I Want You"
"Woo"
"The Grind"
"Danger"
"Think Twice"
"Love of My Life Worldwide"
"World Keeps Turnin' (Outro)"
"Love of My Life (Featuring Common)
"Hollywood"

Nu AmErykah (2008) which will be realesed on 26th of February