Profile of Erykah Badu on Famous Like Me

Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas) is an African-American R&B/hip hop artist whose work crosses over into jazz. She is probably best known for "You Got Me," her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs "Tyrone", "Next Lifetime", "On & On", and "Clevah." Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.

Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holliday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre. Badu dropped her "slave name" "Erica Wright" in favor of "Badu", which she reports is Arabic for "to manifest truth." She has performed with roots rock reggae musician and singer Burning Spear.

Badu has a son named Seven with actor and ex-boyfriend, Andre 3000 of Outkast fame. On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma, in her Dallas home; the father is reportedly rapper The D.O.C.

Badu appeared in the film The Cider House Rules.

Discography

(with U.S. chart positions)

Albums

• Baduizm (1997) #2
• Live (1997) #4
• Mama's Gun (2000) #11
• Worldwide Underground (2003) #3

Singles

• "On & On" (1997) #12
• "Next Lifetime" (1997)
• "Apple Tree" (1997)
• "Tyrone" (1997)
• "Southern Girl" ft. Rahzel (1999)
• "Bag Lady" (2000) #6
• "Didn't Cha Know" (2000)
• "Cleva" (2001)
• "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" (2002) #9
• "Danger" (2003) #82
• "Back in the Day (Puff)" (2004)

Other appearances

• Blues Brothers 2000 soundtrack, 1998
• "Plenty" on Guru's Streetsoul album.
• "No More Trouble" virtual collaboration with Bob Marley on Chant Down Babylon (1999)

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