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. 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. 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.Īfter 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. 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. 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 inattentive boyfriend. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with "On & On," won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.ĭuring that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. 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. Lead single "On & On" reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. Some music journalists have labeled her nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre.īaduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound. Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She is best known for her singles "You Got Me" her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs "Tyrone", "Love Of My Life", "On & On", "Bag Lady", "The Healer", "Honey" and "Soldier". Z.Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on Februin Dallas, Texas) is an American R&B/neo-soul artist whose work crosses over into jazz. & On The Healer (Hip Hop) Steady On The Grind Hands Clean R. Telephone Man Hello I'll Call U Back Incense (feat. 2000 Your Congratulations Gone Baby, Don't Be Long Turn Me Away (Get Munny) You Loving Me (Session) Umm Hmm Reprise Hollywood Stay Searching Love No More Trouble Your Precious Love Boogie Nights All Night Phone Down U Use To Call Me Hi Cel U Lar Device Mr. Love Of My Life Tyrone Annie Soldier Hotline Bling (remix) Booty Next Lifetime Penitentiary Philosophy On And On No Love A Child With The Blues Other Side Of The Game 4 Leaf Clover Drama Certainly Agitation Ye Yo (Live) You Got Me Feel It A.D.