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Working on Baduizm
Erykah began recording the Baduizm set in 1996 and worked with such talented producers as ?love and Richard Nichols of The Roots, James Poyser and N'dambi.
Baduzim goes platinum
February of 1997 couldn't possibly have been a bigger year for Erykah. Her debut album was released and it achieved platinum status in under a month; her live shows received continual praise and her popularity increased dramatically.
Erykah Badu had finally arrived on the big stage.
Her first single from the Baduizm album - On And On, gained heavy airplay over the radio and on television alike. Soon after, she scooped the board and won 4 major honours at the Soul Train awards ceremony, including best female newcomer
The vibe
Erykah Badu inevitably drew close comparisons to the legendary Billie Holiday.
The formers blend of old soul, jazz and hip-hop, fused with a hypnotic flow is capable of stirring the deepest emotions, and Erykah's place amongst today's elite female soul artists of the world is already well and truly assured.
Badu on soul music
In a recent interview, Erykah was asked about soul music. She replied "I want to carry on the legacy of soul music. I'm working to put a new face on black music because it's going through a re-birthing process, and I see myself as one of the midwives."
Marriage
Erykah is happily married to Oukast member Dre, with whom she has a child, named Seven. She refers to Dre as her best friend and soul mate.
When asked the origin of their son's name, she revealed: "it is a divine number, which cannot be divided."
Mama's Gun
Erykah's second studio album, Mama's Gun, has just been released and is co-produced by James Poyser, Bilal and Jay Dee.
Mama's Gun features (among others) the excellent songs Didn't Cha Know, Cleva, and Green Eyes.
Green Eyes is a 10-minute epic that journeys through retro soul and jazz. The song begins with an old Billie Holiday style sound with distortion effects, then slowly builds and changes into a very lazy, jazzy, moody song, reminiscent of Tony Toni Tone's wonderful Wild Child.
Just as the listener begins to get familiar with the song, enter one Roy Hargrove, who adds his own special resonance and alters the composition to a whole new level.
I'm sure you'll agree that this is one of the standout songs on the album, and after a 'couple' of listens I found myself returning to it time and again for just 'one more play.'
Erykah's latest track from Mama's Gun, Bag lady, is already receiving a lot of airplay, and the album is destined, I'm sure, to be an even bigger success than her last offering.
Baduizm is indeed alive and well and kicking wholeheartedly.
