Erykah Badu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Erykah Badu
Badu in 2011
Born	Erica Abi Wright (1971-02-26) February 26, 1971 (age 54) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Other names	DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown Annie Sara Bella Medulla Oblongata Analog girl in the Digital World Manuela Maria Mexico
Education	Booker T. Washington High School Grambling State University
Occupation	Singer-songwriter record producer DJ actress
Years active	1994–present
Works	Discography
Partner(s)	André 3000 (1996–1997) Common (2000–2002) The D.O.C. (2003–2004) Jay Electronica (2004–2009) Carl Jones (2013–2018)
Children	3
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	R&B neo soul psychedelic soul conscious hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Control Freaq Motown Kedar Universal

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. She is famous for her unique style of music. Her music blends R&B, soul, and hip hop.

Badu became well-known in the late 1990s. Her first album, Baduizm (1997), made her a leader in the neo soul music style. Music critics even called her the "Queen of Neo Soul".

Erykah Badu's career started after she performed before a D'Angelo concert in 1994. A record executive named Kedar Massenburg was impressed. He signed her to his record label. Her first album, Baduizm, came out in February 1997. It included popular songs like "On & On". This album sold very well, earning a triple platinum award.

Her first live album, Live, was released in November 1997. It featured her hit song "Tyrone". This album also sold over two million copies.

Her second studio album, Mama's Gun, was released in 2000. The song "Bag Lady" from this album became a top 10 hit. It reached number 6 on the Billboard charts. This album also achieved platinum status. Badu's third album, Worldwide Underground, came out in 2003. "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" was a big hit from this album. It reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. This album was certified gold.

Her fourth album, New Amerykah Part One, was released in 2008. It featured songs like "Honey". New Amerykah Part Two followed in 2010. It was also very popular and well-received.

People often compare Badu's voice to the famous jazz singer Billie Holiday. Early in her career, she was known for wearing large, colorful headwraps. She was also a key member of the music group Soulquarians. As an actress, she has appeared in movies like Blues Brothers 2000 and The Cider House Rules.

Early Life and Beginnings

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Texas. Her mother raised her, her brother, and her sister. Their grandmothers also helped care for them. Erykah started performing at age four. She sang and danced at the Dallas Theater Center.

By age 14, Badu was performing on a local radio station. She decided to change her first name from Erica to Erykah. She felt her original name was a "slave name". The word "kah" means "inner self". She chose "Badu" because it was her favorite jazz scat sound. It also means "10th-born child" among the Akan people in Ghana.

After high school, Badu studied theater at Grambling State University. She left college in 1993 to focus on music. She worked many jobs to support herself. She also taught drama and dance to children. She recorded a demo with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford. This demo caught the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He helped her get a record deal with Universal Records.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success with Baduizm and Live

Baduizm, Erykah Badu's first album, came out in early 1997. It was a big hit with both critics and fans. The album reached number two on the Billboard charts. It also hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Baduizm helped make Badu a leading artist in the new neo soul genre.

The album sold over three million copies in the U.S. It also sold well in the UK and Canada. The first song from the album, "On & On", was released in December 1996. It reached number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Both the album and the song earned Badu her first Grammy Awards. "On & On" won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Baduizm won Best R&B Album.

Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while she was pregnant. It was released in November 1997. The album reached number four on the U.S. Billboard 200. It also hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. This album sold over two million copies. Its main song, "Tyrone", became another R&B hit. The song "Tyrone" is about a boyfriend who is selfish and doesn't pay attention.

Badu also worked with the Roots on their 1999 album Things Fall Apart. She was featured on their song "You Got Me". This song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1999.

Mama's Gun and Worldwide Underground

Badu backstage in Hamburg, Germany, in 2002

After taking time to raise her child, Badu released Mama's Gun in 2000. This album had a more natural sound. A remixed version of "Bag Lady" was the first single. It topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was praised for its lyrics. Mama's Gun sold over a million copies. "Bag Lady" was also nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 2000, Badu worked with Common. They released "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" for the Brown Sugar movie soundtrack. This song reached number 9 on the pop charts. It topped the R&B charts. In 2003, Badu won her fourth Grammy Award for this song.

On September 16, 2003, she released her third studio album, Worldwide Underground. This album was more like a long jam session. Badu said it was meant to be "one continuous groove." Critics had mixed feelings about its unusual structure. However, it received mostly good reviews.

The album did well commercially. It debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 143,000 copies in its first week. By December 2003, it had sold nearly 400,000 copies. In October 2003, Worldwide Underground was certified gold. This means it sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S.

The first song, "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)", reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It was number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Badu received four more Grammy nominations for this album. She also went on the "Worldwide Underground Tour" in 2004.

Badu in 2005

In 2005, Badu helped judge the Independent Music Awards. She also started the Sugar Water Festival with Queen Latifah and Jill Scott. This festival raised awareness about health issues for African-American women. It toured the U.S. in 2005 and 2006.

Later Works and Tours

After getting her first computer, Badu started working with other artists online. She used her laptop to create music. This led to her fourth album, New Amerykah Part One. It was released on February 26, 2008, which was Badu's 37th birthday.

The album's main single, "Honey", was released in December 2007. It reached number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100. New Amerykah Part One was highly praised by critics. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 125,000 copies in its first week. This was Badu's best opening week since her first album.

During 2008 and 2009, Badu went on two world tours. The Vortex Tour supported New Amerykah Part One. The Jam Tour was a summer concert tour in 2009.

In 2015, Badu appeared on a song called "Rememory". It was from Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's album Surf. In July 2015, Badu released a free mixtape. It featured her favorite funk, soul, and jazz songs.

In October 2015, Badu released a remix of Drake's song "Hotline Bling". She then released a mixtape, But You Caint Use My Phone, in November 2015. This mixtape was released through her own record label, Control Freaq. It debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200. Badu also hosted the Soul Train Music Awards in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

In 2016, Badu announced another mixtape, This $hit Too Easy, but it was not released. She also released new songs on SoundCloud. In 2016, Badu starred as Turquoise in the film The Land. She also released the title song for the film.

In 2018, Erykah Badu performed for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. She also talked about being a certified Doula. In June 2019, Badu released a new single called Tempted. It was a cover of a song by Squeeze.

Musical Style and Influences

Badu in Bruges, Belgium in 2006

Badu's music combines R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop. She became known for the neo soul style in the 1990s. Her music is often compared to jazz legend Billie Holiday. Badu is known as an experimental R&B singer. Her work explores modern forms of soul and hip hop.

Her album Mama's Gun is a neo-soul album. It includes funk, soul, and jazz styles. Worldwide Underground also mixed hip hop and funk elements. New Amerykah Part One blends funk, soul, and hip hop genres. It also has elements of jazz and electronica.

Much of Badu's music is shaped by her beliefs. These include the Nation of Gods and Earths and her African heritage. Her songs often share her personal views on life. Her ideas are influenced by African traditions and philosophies.

As a child, Badu was influenced by hip-hop artists like Kool Herc. She also found inspiration in "stimulating" experiences. Her music teacher, Ms. Goodman, encouraged her to pursue music. Badu also learned from her grandmother's religious views. Her grandmother taught her that "When you do it, it gotta be real."

Awards and Recognition

Badu in street art in Sutton, Greater London, England

Erykah Badu has won many awards for her music. In 1997, she won three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. These included Favorite Female Solo Single for "On & On". In 1998, she won eight awards. She won Favorite R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist at the American Music Awards. She also won two Grammy Awards for "On & On" and Baduizm.

In 2000, Badu won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2003, she won two awards. These included Video of the Year for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" at the BET Awards. She also won a Grammy for the same song. In 2008, she won two awards for her music video "Honey". Overall, Badu has won 16 awards from 59 nominations.

Impact and Legacy

Erykah Badu has been called "the first lady of neo-soul" and "the queen of neo-soul".

Erykah Badu is often called "the first lady of neo-soul" or "the queen of neo-soul." Her album Baduizm was very successful. It helped make her one of the top artists in the neo soul genre. Along with albums by D'Angelo and Maxwell, Baduizm helped neo soul become popular.

Erykah Badu's song "Master Teacher" helped popularize the phrase stay woke. This phrase means to be "self-aware, questioning the dominant ideas, and working for something better."

Other Ventures and Activism

Badu has also acted in movies. She first appeared in the 1998 film Blues Brothers 2000. She played Queen Mousette. Her second role was in The Cider House Rules (1999). She played Rose Rose. For this role, she won a Black Reel Awards for best supporting actress.

In 2004, Badu played Lady/Bernadette in House of D. She also had small roles in documentaries. Badu appeared in music videos for other artists. She also made a special appearance on the TV show Girlfriends.

Badu alongside Brenda Cherry, Creola and Shaquanda Cotton at the Africa Care Academy 10th Annual Educational Awards Banquet in Dallas, Texas

In 2008, Badu became the face of Tom Ford's White Patchouli perfume. In 2013, she became the face of Givenchy's 2014 Spring collection. In 2016, Badu worked with designer Kerby Jean-Raymond for his Pyer Moss fashion collection. They called it a "movement" against issues like depression and racism.

Badu is also an activist in her hometown of South Dallas. She started her own charity, Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3). This charity helps inner-city youth through music, dance, and art. Her organization renovated and reopened the Black Forest Theater in South Dallas. This theater is now a community center. It celebrates the art and culture of South Dallas.

The Black Forest has hosted free concerts by artists like Prince and Snoop Dogg. All these artists volunteered their time. In 2003, Erykah traveled to Africa for B.L.I.N.D. She worked with children affected by AIDS and poverty. Badu has received the Key to the City of Dallas for her community work.

In February 2020, Badu opened an online store called Badu World Market. It sells clothing, beauty products, and music merchandise. She also started selling her own line of incense.

Personal Life

Badu became a vegan in 2006. She believes that "Vegan food is soul food in its truest form." She divides her time between Dallas and Fort Greene, New York.

In 1996, Badu had a relationship with rapper André 3000 from OutKast. Their son, Seven Sirius Benjamin, was born on November 18, 1997. Their relationship ended in 1999. OutKast's song "Ms. Jackson" was inspired by their relationship.

On July 5, 2004, Badu had a daughter named Puma Sabti Curry. Puma's father is rapper The D.O.C.. On February 1, 2009, Badu had her third child, a daughter named Mars Merkaba Thedford. Mars's father is rapper Jay Electronica.

In 2014, Badu had her DNA tested. It showed that her family ancestry traces back to the Bamileke people of Cameroon in Central Africa.

Discography

Studio albums

• Baduizm (1997)
• Mama's Gun (2000)
• Worldwide Underground (2003)
• New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008)
• New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010)

Live albums

• Live (1997)

Mixtape

• Feel Better World! ... Love, Ms. Badu (various artists) (2015)
• But You Caint Use My Phone (2015)

Tours

• Baduizm World Tour (1997–98)
• Mama's Gun World Tour (2001–02)
• Frustrated Artist Tour (2003)
• Worldwide Underground Tour (2004)
• Sugar Water Festival (2005)
• Summer Tour (2006)
• Dave Chappelle/Badu tour (2007)
• The Vortex World Tour (2008)
• Jam Tour (2009)
• Out My Mind, Just in Time World Tour (2010)
• Live from Badubotron Tour (2021–22)
• Unfollow Me Tour (2023)

Filmography

Television

Films

See also

In Spanish: Erykah Badu para niños

• Neo soul
• Honorific nicknames in popular music