History of Erykah Badu in Timeline
"Erykah Badu, born Erica Abi Wright, is a renowned American singer and songwriter. Her music blends elements of R&B, soul, and hip hop. Her 1997 debut album, "Baduizm," catapulted her to fame, establishing her as a leading figure in the neo soul movement. This influence earned her the moniker "Queen of Neo Soul" from music critics."
February 26, 1971: Birth of Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu was born on February 26, 1971, as Erica Abi Wright. This event marks the beginning of her journey to becoming a renowned singer and songwriter.
1993: Departure from Grambling State University to Pursue Music
In 1993, Erykah Badu made the pivotal decision to leave Grambling State University to fully dedicate herself to her music career. During this time, she took on various jobs to support herself while pursuing her passion.
1994: Discovery by Kedar Massenburg
Erykah Badu's career took a significant turn in 1994 when she opened for D'Angelo in Fort Worth, Texas. This performance caught the attention of Kedar Massenburg, a record label executive, who signed her to Kedar Entertainment, marking a pivotal moment in her rise to fame.
1995: Rise of Neo Soul
The rise of neo soul was marked by the release of D'Angelo's album "Brown Sugar" in 1995.
December 1996: Release of "On & On" and Grammy Wins
December 1996 marked the release of "On & On," the lead single from Erykah Badu's debut album, "Baduizm." The song reached number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts and earned Badu her first Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album.
1996: Relationship with André 3000
Erykah Badu's relationship with rapper André 3000 began in 1996.
1996: Neo Soul's Popularity
Maxwell's album "Urban Hang Suite", released in 1996, contributed to the growing popularity of neo soul.
February 1997: Release of Debut Album "Baduizm"
Erykah Badu released her highly successful debut album, "Baduizm," in February 1997. The album, featuring hit singles like "On & On," achieved triple-platinum certification from the RIAA.
October 1997: Release of "Tyrone"
In October 1997, Erykah Badu released the hit single "Tyrone." This song became an R&B anthem for its relatable lyrics about a neglectful and inconsiderate boyfriend.
November 1997: Release of "Live" Album
In November 1997, Erykah Badu released her first live album, "Live." The album, certified double platinum by the RIAA, captured the energy and soulful sound of her live performances.
November 18, 1997: Release of "Live" Album
Erykah Badu released her first live album, "Live," on November 18, 1997, coinciding with the birth of her son, Seven. The album reached number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and topped the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, achieving double-platinum certification from the RIAA.
1997: Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
Erykah Badu received three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for her single "On & On" and album "Baduizm" in 1997.
1997: Release of "Baduizm"
Erykah Badu's debut album, "Baduizm", was released in 1997.
1997: Critical and Commercial Success of "Baduizm"
Erykah Badu's debut album, "Baduizm," released in early 1997, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. It debuted at number two on the Billboard charts and secured the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, solidifying her position as a leading artist in the emerging neo-soul genre.
1997: Rise to Prominence with "Baduizm"
In 1997, Erykah Badu released her debut album, "Baduizm," which propelled her to fame. This album became central to the neo-soul movement and led music critics to dub her the "Queen of Neo Soul."
1997: Establishment of B.L.I.N.D.
Erykah Badu founded the charity organization Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3), dedicated to supporting inner-city youth through the arts, in 1997.
1998: Film Debut in "Blues Brothers 2000"
Erykah Badu made her acting debut in the film "Blues Brothers 2000", portraying the character Queen Mousette, in 1998.
1998: Multiple Award Wins
Erykah Badu won eight awards in 1998, including a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "On & On" and a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.
1999: End of Relationship
Erykah Badu and André 3000's relationship ended in 1999.
1999: Collaboration with The Roots and Grammy Win
Erykah Badu collaborated with The Roots on their 1999 album "Things Fall Apart," lending her vocals to the hit song "You Got Me," which also featured Eve. This collaboration earned Badu and The Roots a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
1999: Role in "The Cider House Rules"
Erykah Badu took on the role of Rose Rose in the film "The Cider House Rules", released in 1999, which earned her critical acclaim.
2000: Release of "Ms. Jackson"
OutKast released the song "Ms. Jackson", inspired by André 3000's past relationship with Erykah Badu and her mother, in late 2000.
2000: Collaboration with Common and Release of "Love of My Life"
In 2000, Erykah Badu collaborated with fellow Soulquarian Common on the song "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" for the "Brown Sugar" soundtrack. This track became a hit, reaching number nine on the pop charts and topping the R&B charts.
2000: Grammy Award Win
Erykah Badu won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2000.
2000: Release of "Mama's Gun"
Erykah Badu released her second studio album, "Mama's Gun," in 2000. The album, certified platinum by the RIAA, showcased her evolving musical style and featured the hit single "Bag Lady," which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.
2000: Mama's Gun Release
Erykah Badu released her album "Mama's Gun", characterized by its neo-soul genre, incorporating elements of funk, soul, and jazz, in 2000.
2000: Release and Reception of "Mama's Gun"
Erykah Badu made her comeback in 2000 with the release of her album "Mama's Gun." This album, known for its organic sound and introspective lyrics, received critical acclaim and achieved platinum certification despite not reaching the chart heights of her previous works.
2000: Appearance in "Blues Brothers 2000"
Erykah Badu appeared in a supporting role in the musical comedy film "Blues Brothers 2000," showcasing her versatility beyond music in the year 2000.
2000: Black Reel Award Win
Erykah Badu received the Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "The Cider House Rules" in 2000.
2001: "Mama's Gun World Tour" and Writer's Block
Erykah Badu embarked on the "Mama's Gun World Tour" in 2001, commencing in North America on February 10 in Cleveland, Ohio. Following the tour and the success of "Mama's Gun" and "Love of My Life," Badu experienced a period of writer's block.
February 2003: Charity Work in Africa
Erykah Badu traveled to Africa to work with children impacted by AIDS and poverty as part of her outreach for B.L.I.N.D. in February 2003.
September 16, 2003: Release of "Worldwide Underground"
Erykah Badu released her third studio album, "Worldwide Underground," on September 16, 2003. The album, known for its jam-oriented and continuous groove style, received positive reviews despite some criticism for its unconventional structure.
October 4, 2003: "Worldwide Underground" Chart Performance
"Worldwide Underground" debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in the week of October 4, 2003, with 143,561 copies sold in its first week. It remained on the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks, signifying its commercial success.
October 28, 2003: Gold Certification for "Worldwide Underground"
By October 28, 2003, "Worldwide Underground" achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, surpassing 500,000 copies sold in the United States.
December 2003: Sales Milestone for "Worldwide Underground"
By December 2003, "Worldwide Underground" had sold 394,000 copies in the United States, further solidifying its commercial success.
2003: Award Recognition for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)"
Erykah Badu won a BET Award for Video of the Year and a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for her song "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" in 2003.
2003: Grammy Award for "Love of My Life"
Erykah Badu's collaboration with Common, "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", earned her a fourth Grammy Award in 2003.
2003: Release of "Worldwide Underground"
In 2003, Erykah Badu released her third studio album, "Worldwide Underground." This album, certified gold by the RIAA, featured the hit single "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", which became her second song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.
July 5, 2004: Birth of Daughter, Puma Sabti Curry
On July 5, 2004, Erykah Badu gave birth to her daughter, Puma Sabti Curry, whose father is the Texas-based rapper The D.O.C.
2004: Performance in "House of D"
Erykah Badu played the character Lady/Bernadette in the film "House of D", released in 2004.
2004: Worldwide Underground Tour and Album Release
In 2004, Erykah Badu released her album "Worldwide Underground" and embarked on a tour of the same name. The tour, featuring Floetry as the supporting act, started in North America and was later extended to Europe.
2005: Appearance in "Before the Music Dies"
Erykah Badu made an appearance in the film "Before the Music Dies" in 2005.
2005: Sugar Water Festival and Independent Music Awards
In 2005, Erykah Badu served as a judge for the Independent Music Awards. She also co-founded the Sugar Water Festival with Queen Latifah and Jill Scott, aiming to raise awareness about health issues affecting African-American women.
2006: Film and Music Video Appearances
Erykah Badu appeared in Dave Chappelle's film "Block Party" and Miko Marks' music video for "Mama" in 2006.
2006: Adoption of Veganism
Erykah Badu embraced a vegan lifestyle in 2006.
2006: Summer Tour and Final Sugar Water Festival
In 2006, Erykah Badu went on a summer tour across the US and Europe. This year marked the final installment of the Sugar Water Festival, which featured Kelis as the opening act and Mo'Nique as the host.
November 2007: Leak of "Honey" and Album Production
In November 2007, Badu's single "Honey", produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online. This period also marked the time when Badu began using her computer to create backing tracks for her music, which eventually led to the recording of "New Amerykah Part One" at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
December 11, 2007: Release of "Honey"
Erykah Badu released "Honey", the lead single from her album "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)", on December 11, 2007. The single performed well, reaching number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
February 26, 2008: Release of "New Amerykah Part One"
Erykah Badu released her fourth studio album, "New Amerykah Part One", on February 26, 2008, coinciding with her 37th birthday. The album was launched under Universal Motown Records.
2008: Defense of Louis Farrakhan in Tel Aviv Concert
In 2008, during a concert in Tel Aviv, Erykah Badu defended Louis Farrakhan, stating that he was not anti-Semitic and loved all people, a statement that drew criticism.
2008: Music Video Awards
Erykah Badu's music video for "Honey" earned her awards for Best Director at the BET Awards and Best Direction in a Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008.
2008: Release of "New Amerykah Part One"
Erykah Badu's fourth studio album, "New Amerykah Part One," was released in 2008. The album marked a departure from her previous works, exploring new musical directions.
2008: Avoidance of Print Interviews
Erykah Badu revealed that she avoids print interviews due to a negative experience in 2008 where she was misquoted.
2008: Face of Tom Ford Fragrance
Erykah Badu became the face of Tom Ford's White Patchouli fragrance in 2008.
2008: New Amerykah Part One Release
Erykah Badu released "New Amerykah Part One" in 2008, an album recognized for its diverse mix of funk, soul, hip hop, jazz, and electronica.
2008: The Vortex Tour
Erykah Badu launched her Vortex Tour in 2008 to promote her album "New Amerykah Part One". The tour spanned across North America and Europe, with the North American leg commencing in May and the European leg starting in June.
2008: Voodoo Experience Performance and International Chart Success
Erykah Badu performed at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans prior to Halloween in 2008. Internationally, her album "New Amerykah Part One" achieved considerable success, charting in the top 50 in several countries, with its highest ranking being number five in Sweden.
February 1, 2009: Birth of Daughter, Mars Merkaba Thedford
Erykah Badu welcomed her third child, Mars Merkaba Thedford, on February 1, 2009, with her then-boyfriend of five years, rapper Jay Electronica.
2009: The Jam Tour and Collaboration with Mos Def
In 2009, Erykah Badu embarked on her Jam Tour, which included performances across North America and Europe. During the tour's second leg in North America, Badu joined hip-hop artist Mos Def as a special guest co-headliner for select dates on his "Ecstatic Tour" in September.
January 2010: Release of "Jump up in the Air (Stay There)"
Erykah Badu released the internet-only promotional single "Jump up in the Air (Stay There)", featuring Lil Wayne and Bilal, on her official website in January 2010. A music video for the song was shot in Dallas.
March 13, 2010: "Window Seat" Video Shoot
On March 13, 2010, Erykah Badu filmed the music video for her song "Window Seat" in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas. The video, shot without permits, featured Badu shedding her clothes as she walked, ending with her nude at the site of JFK's assassination.
March 2010: Television Appearances and Magazine Features
In March 2010, Erykah Badu made several television appearances to promote her new album, including spots on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon", "The Wendy Williams Show", "Chelsea Lately", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", and "Good Day New York". She was also featured in various magazines during this period, such as EQ, Nylon, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York, Spin, Vibe, Paste, and People.
March 24, 2010: Release of "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)"
On March 24, 2010, Erykah Badu released "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)", the second single from her album "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)", as a free download online.
March 30, 2010: Release of "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" in the US
Erykah Badu's fifth studio album, "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)", was released in the United States on March 30, 2010, through Universal Motown.
March 31, 2010: Surprise Midnight Show in Los Angeles
Erykah Badu surprised fans with a midnight show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on March 31, 2010.
April 2, 2010: Disorderly Conduct Charge for "Window Seat" Music Video
Erykah Badu was charged with disorderly conduct on April 2, 2010, for appearing nude in Dallas's Dealey Plaza while filming her "Window Seat" music video. This act was intended as a social-political performance art piece.
April 3, 2010: Badu Addresses "Window Seat" Controversy
On April 3, 2010, Erykah Badu appeared on The Wanda Sykes Show to clarify the intention behind her controversial "Window Seat" video. She stated her admiration for JFK and explained the video as a protest against "groupthink" inspired by Matt and Kim's "Lessons Learned."
April 14, 2010: Release of "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" in Japan
"New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" was released in Japan on April 14, 2010. Upon its release, the album was well-received by critics and performed well commercially, debuting within the top 50 in multiple countries.
April 28, 2010: Not Guilty Plea in "Window Seat" Case
On April 28, 2010, Erykah Badu pleaded not guilty to the disorderly conduct charge related to her "Window Seat" music video, choosing to contest the charge in court.
2010: Release of "New Amerykah Part Two" and Controversy
Erykah Badu released "New Amerykah Part Two" in 2010. The album was met with critical and commercial success but also sparked controversy due to the content of its lead single, "Window Seat."
2010: Sales Milestone for "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)"
By 2010, "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)" had sold 359,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
February 9, 2011: Release of "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" Video
On February 9, 2011, a new music video for Erykah Badu's song "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long", directed by Flying Lotus, was released on Vimeo.com. The release was announced by Badu herself and musician Questlove from The Roots on Twitter.
2011: Featured on Flying Lotus's Album
In 2011, Erykah Badu was featured on Flying Lotus's fourth studio album, "Until the Quiet Comes."
February 2012: Concert Cancellation in Malaysia Due to Temporary Tattoo
Erykah Badu's concert in Malaysia was cancelled in February 2012 after it was discovered that she had a temporary tattoo of the word "Allah" on her body, which was deemed religiously insensitive.
March 2012: Collaboration with Rocketjuice and The Moon
Erykah Badu collaborated with the supergroup Rocketjuice and The Moon on their debut album, released in March 2012.
April 23, 2013: Collaboration with Janelle Monáe
Erykah Badu collaborated with Janelle Monáe on her single "Q.U.E.E.N.", released on April 23, 2013. The song was featured on Monáe's album "The Electric Lady" and performed well on the Billboard charts.
May 2013: New Project Announcement
Erykah Badu announced in May 2013 that she was working on a new project, without giving a specific timeline.
December 2013: Face of Givenchy's Spring Collection
It was announced in late December 2013 that Erykah Badu would be the face of Givenchy's Spring collection for 2014.
April 2014: Performance at King Mswati III's Birthday Celebration
Erykah Badu faced criticism in April 2014 from the Human Rights Foundation for performing at the birthday celebration of King Mswati III of Swaziland (now Eswatini), who is known for alleged human rights abuses and extravagant living despite his country's poverty.
July 2014: Album Update and Collaboration with Flying Lotus
In July 2014, Badu provided an update on her album, mentioning recording sessions in Africa. She also revealed her collaboration with producer Flying Lotus, whom she met through MySpace.
2014: DNA Ancestry Reveal
In 2014, Erykah Badu's DNA test results, conducted for Okayplayer and OkayAfrica TV, revealed that her mitochondrial DNA traces back to the Bamileke people of Cameroon in Central Africa.
2014: Givenchy Campaign
Erykah Badu was featured as the face of Givenchy's Spring collection in 2014.
March 26, 2015: Performance at The Bomb Factory
On March 26, 2015, Erykah Badu performed at the grand opening of The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. The sold-out show featured Sarah Jaffe as a guest performer.
July 2015: Release of Free Mixtape
Erykah Badu released a free mixtape in July 2015, featuring a selection of her favorite funk, soul, and jazz recordings. She described it as a curated collection of "high frequency tones for the soul."
November 27, 2015: Release of "But You Caint Use My Phone" Mixtape
Erykah Badu surprised fans with the release of her mixtape "But You Caint Use My Phone" on November 27, 2015, exclusively through Apple Music. The mixtape, released independently, showcased Badu's creativity and control over her music.
December 4, 2015: Wider Release of Mixtape
Following its exclusive release on iTunes, Erykah Badu's mixtape "But You Caint Use My Phone" became available on other digital platforms on December 4, 2015, expanding its reach to a wider audience.
2015: Confirmation of Sixth Studio Album
In 2015, Erykah Badu confirmed her plans to release her sixth studio album, raising anticipation among her fans.
February 26, 2016: "Still Boomin'" Birthday Concert
On February 26, 2016, Erykah Badu celebrated her birthday with her annual "Still Boomin'" concert at The Bomb Factory in Dallas. The event, hosted by Dave Chappelle, featured a surprise appearance by André 3000.
2016: Soul Train Music Awards Hosting
Erykah Badu hosted the Soul Train Music Awards in 2016, adding her unique style and presence to the prestigious event.
2016: New York Fashion Week Debut
Erykah Badu made her debut at New York Fashion Week, styling for Kerby Jean-Raymond's Pyer Moss collection titled "Double Bind", in 2016.
2016: Announcement of Follow-Up Mixtape
Shortly after the release of "But You Caint Use My Phone," Erykah Badu announced a follow-up mixtape titled "This $hit Too Easy." However, the mixtape has yet to be released.
2017: Soul Train Music Awards Hosting
Erykah Badu hosted the Soul Train Music Awards for the second consecutive year in 2017, solidifying her role as a respected figure in the music industry.
January 2018: Controversial Comments on Hitler in Vulture Interview
During a January 2018 interview with Vulture, Erykah Badu, when asked about past accusations of antisemitism, made controversial remarks about seeing "good in everybody," including Hitler, and praised his paintings, sparking further controversy.
January 24, 2018: New Mixtape Announcement
On January 24, 2018, Erykah Badu announced the release of a new mixtape. However, like the previously announced mixtape, it remains unreleased.
August 15, 2018: Tiny Desk Concert and Interview
On August 15, 2018, Erykah Badu appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, showcasing her music in an intimate setting. The same day, she was interviewed on NPR's What's Good with Stretch & Bobbito podcast, discussing various aspects of her life and career.
January 2019: Public Support for R. Kelly Amidst Controversy
Erykah Badu expressed support for musician R. Kelly during a January 2019 concert, facing backlash from fans. This followed the release of the documentary series "Surviving R. Kelly," which brought to light numerous allegations of sexual abuse against him.
June 2, 2019: New Song Teaser
Erykah Badu performed a new song tentatively titled "The Work (The Way She Sees)" at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, teasing fans with new music.
June 3, 2019: Release of "Tempted"
On June 3, 2019, Erykah Badu released "Tempted," a collaborative cover of Squeeze's song with instrumentalist James Poyser. This marked her first official single since 2015.
February 20, 2020: Launch of Badu World Market
Erykah Badu launched her online store, Badu World Market, on February 20, 2020, offering a variety of products including clothing, accessories, and incense.
May 2020: Collaboration with D'Angelo
Erykah Badu collaborated with D'Angelo on the song "Beehoove," featured on Slingbaum's debut studio album, "Slingbaum One," in May 2020.
June 19, 2020: Feature on Teyana Taylor's Song
On June 19, 2020, Erykah Badu was featured on the song "Lowkey" by singer Teyana Taylor.
August 2020: Contribution to Bilal's EP
Erykah Badu participated in the remote recording of Bilal's EP "VOYAGE-19" in August 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
2020: Founding of Apple Trees
Erykah Badu established Apple Trees, a company specializing in cannabis-related accessories, in 2020.
December 2022: Collaboration with RM
In December 2022, Erykah Badu was featured on the song "Yun" from RM's debut solo album, "Indigo."
2023: Launch of "That Badu" Cannabis Line
Erykah Badu partnered with the Cookies cannabis brand to introduce her own cannabis line, "That Badu", in 2023.
2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers
Rolling Stone included Erykah Badu in their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2023, ranking her at number 115.