Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright was born in Dallas, Texas. Her mother raised her, her brother Eevin, and her sister alone after separating from their father, William Wright Jr. The children's maternal and paternal grandmothers often helped look after them. Badu began singing and dancing at the age of four at the Dallas Theater Center and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) under the guidance of her godmother, Gwen Hargrove, and uncle TBAAL founder Curtis King.

By the age of 14, Badu was freestyling for a local radio station alongside artists such as Roy Hargrove. In her youth, she had decided to change the spelling of her first name from Erica to Erykah, as she believed her original name was a "slave name". The term "kah" signifies the inner self. She adopted the surname "Badu" because it is her favorite jazz scat sound; also, among the Akan people in Ghana, it is the term for the 10th-born child.{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_4_99/ai_69202784 | work=Jet | title=Erykah Badu | first=Clarence | last=Waldron | year=2001}}

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Badu went on to study theater at Grambling State University, a historically black university. She left the university in 1993 before graduating, to focus more fully on music. During this time, Badu took several minimum-wage jobs to support herself. She taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. Working and touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, she recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love", and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal Records.

Baduizm, Badu's debut album, was released in early 1997. The album met with critical and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard charts and number one on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/301879/erykah+badu/chart |title=Erykah Badu – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2016-01-01 |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515102134/https://www.billboard.com/artist/301879/erykah+badu/chart |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2000-12-09/r-b-hip-hop-albums |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: December 09, 2000 |magazine=Billboard.com |date=December 9, 2000 |access-date=February 11, 2014}} Baduizm{{'}}s commercial and critical success helped establish Badu as one of the emerging neo soul genre's leading artists.O'Donnell, David. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/dxw6/ Review: Baduizm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430135137/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/dxw6/ |date=April 30, 2016 }}. BBC Music. Retrieved 2009-08-03. Her particular style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-b/erykahbadu_main.htm |title=Erykah Badu |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=October 27, 2013}}

Baduizm was certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and the Canadian Recording Industry Association.[http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202052642/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|date=February 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |title=Gold and Platinum |publisher=Cria.ca |date=December 1, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412081617/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |df=mdy }}

The album produced four singles; the lead single "On & On" was released in December 1996,{{cite web |url=http://www.furthermucker.com/tag/erykah-badu/ |title=Miles Marshall Lewis: Tags |publisher=Furthermucker.com |access-date=February 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006162710/http://www.furthermucker.com/tag/erykah-badu/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} and reached number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts and the UK Singles Charts, as well as making an appearance on the New Zealand charts.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3097084|title=Billboard Singles Chart|access-date=July 13, 2011 |magazine=Billboard}} The album and lead single also gave Badu her first nomination and win at the Grammy Awards, where "On & On" won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and the album won Best R&B Album.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/26/arts/the-1998-grammy-award-winners.html|title=The 1998 Grammy Award Winners|date=February 26, 1998|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2009}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IcQDAAAAMBAJ&q=40th+Grammy+Awards+nominees&pg=PA38|title=Babyface Has Most Grammy Nominations for Second Year|date=February 26, 1998|work=Jet|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|access-date=April 15, 2009}}

Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with his birth.[http://2005.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/20741.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113023337/http://2005.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/20741.html|date=November 13, 2006}} The album was released on November 18, 1997 and reached number four on the U.S. Billboard 200{{cite magazine|title=Album Info: Live – Erykah Badu|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}}|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 20, 2012}}

and number one on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.{{cite magazine|title=R&B/Hip Hop Albums: Week of December 06, 1997|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/1997-12-06/r-b-hip-hop-albums|magazine=Billboard.com|access-date=June 20, 2012}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/1997-12-06/r-b-hip-hop-albums |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: December 06, 1997 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 6, 1997 |access-date=February 11, 2014}} The album was certified two times platinum by RIAA for shipments of over two million copies. The album's lead single, "Tyrone", was released in October 1997 and became another R&B hit single. "Tyrone", lyrically, is a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend.{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n9_v53/ai_20847763 | work=Ebony |title=Erykah Badu plans to make music, money and babies |year=1998|publisher=Findarticles.com|access-date=October 27, 2013}}

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. She was featured on the song "You Got Me", by The Roots and American women rapper Eve. Co-written by Jill Scott, the song peaked at 39 in the U.S. and 31 in the UK. The song went on to win The Roots and Badu a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=+roots&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All |title=Past Winners Search |publisher=Grammy.com |access-date=January 24, 2013}}

File:Erykah badu-02-mika.jpg

After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun. The album was characterized as more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. 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. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications. Reviewers found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases.[https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/erykahbadu/albums/album/193866/review/5943545/mamas_gun] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012105530/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/erykahbadu/albums/album/193866/review/5943545/mamas_gun|date=October 12, 2007}} Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and "Bag Lady" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common. The two released "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" as a collaboration on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. "Love of My Life" hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and in 2003 Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy Award for it.{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_11_58/ai_106700555 | work=Ebony | title=Erykah Badu: on her career and her romance with Common – Biography|publisher=Findarticles.com | year=2003|access-date=October 27, 2013}}

In 2001 Badu embarked on the Mama's Gun World Tour. The tour started in North America on February 10 in Cleveland, Ohio at the Allen Theatre.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80762/badu-targets-dates-for-mamas-gun-tour badu targets dates for mama's gun tour] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109211738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80762/badu-targets-dates-for-mamas-gun-tour |date=January 9, 2016 }}, Billboard.com, January 25, 2001.

After the release of Mama's Gun and "Love of My Life", Badu suffered writer's block.[https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/b/baduerykah-worldwide.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109211738/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/b/baduerykah-worldwide.shtml|date=January 9, 2016}}

On September 16, 2003, she released her third studio album, Worldwide Underground. The album was more jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, and Badu said that the album was designed to be "one continuous groove."{{cite web|url=http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/artist.php?artist=Erykah+Badu|title=Erykah Badu|publisher=Net Music Countdown|access-date=October 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207163937/http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/artist.php?artist=Erykah+Badu|archive-date=December 7, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Upon its release Worldwide Underground met with some criticism for its loose, unconventional structure and songwriting, but the album received generally positive reviews from critics.[https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/baduerykah/worldwideunderground Worldwide Underground (2003): Reviews] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407023937/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/baduerykah/worldwideunderground |date=April 7, 2010 }}. Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-03-30.

Commercially the album fared well and debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in the week of October 4, 2003,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2003-10-04/billboard-200 |title=Top 200 Albums |magazine=Billboard |date=1970-05-30 |access-date=2016-01-01}} selling 143,561 copies in its first week.Farber, Jim. [https://archive.today/20110815064537/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2003/09/25/2003-09-25_newsline.html Newsline: DMX's 'Champ's' a Champ], New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-03-30. Ultimately spending 11 weeks on the Billboard 200, it also entered at number two on Billboard{{'}}s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and spent 30 weeks on the chart.[http://m.billboard.com/album/erykah-badu/worldwide-underground/588126#/album/erykah-badu/worldwide-underground/588126 Chart History: Worldwide Underground]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30. By December 2003, the album had sold 394,000 copies domestically.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67833/badu-plans-underground-tour Badu Plans 'Underground' Tour] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109211738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67833/badu-plans-underground-tour |date=January 9, 2016 }}. Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30. On October 28, 2003, Worldwide Underground was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America, following sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Worldwide%20Underground&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Gold & Platinum – Searchable Database: Worldwide Underground] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016235522/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Worldwide%20Underground&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=October 16, 2015 }}. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-03-30. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 609,000 copies in the United States.Columnist. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047089/badu-starts-nu-on-double-disc-album Badu Starts 'Nu' On Double-Disc Album] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305170449/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047089/badu-starts-nu-on-double-disc-album |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30.

Its first single, "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)", peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}} Chart History: Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)], Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30. The second single "Danger" reached number 82 on the Hot 100 and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}} Chart History: Danger]. Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30. while the third single "Back in the Day (Puff)" peaked at number 62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}} Chart History: Back in the Day (Puff)], Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-30. Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the album. She also contributed to Zap Mama's album Ancestry in Progress (2004), adding her vocals to the track "Bandy Bandy."

Badu embarked on the "Worldwide Underground Tour" in 2004.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67833/badu-plans-underground-tour |title=Badu Plans 'Underground' Tour |magazine=Billboard |date=2003-12-09 |access-date=2016-01-01}} The U.S. trek kicked off February 3 in New Orleans and ran through the winter and spring with supporting act Floetry joining the tour February 5 in Houston.[http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4625339-1.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201101732/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4625339-1.html|date=December 1, 2007}} The Roots made a special opening act appearance at the February 11 show in Los Angeles. Badu resumed the tour during the fall with additional dates in America and Europe.

File:ErykahBadu.jpg

In 2005, she was a judge for the 4th Annual Independent Music Awards, to support independent artists' careers. Badu co-founded the Sugar Water Festival with Queen Latifah and Jill Scott. The trek played to amphitheaters and arenas in the United States during the summer of 2005 and 2006. It began in 2005 as an event to bring awareness to health issues to African-American women. British duo Floetry opened shows during the 2005 run. The festival was relaunched briefly in 2006 with Kelis opening the show and comedian Mo'Nique hosting the festival.{{cite web |url=http://www2.citypaper.com/calendar/review.asp?rid=10686 |title=Sugar Water Festival with Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Kelis, and Mo'nique |author=McCabe, Brent |date=August 9, 2006 |work=Baltimore City Paper |publisher=Times-Shamrock Communications |access-date=July 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016235523/http://www2.citypaper.com/calendar/review.asp?rid=10686 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }} 2006 was its final year. The festival had plans to expand into Europe and Asia, but this did not come to fruition. The Summer Tour was a concert tour in 2006 by Badu. The tour started on June 10, in Knoxville, TN, with three shows in the U.S., and resumed in July for several shows in Europe. Badu co-headlined on dates in August with Jill Scott and Queen Latifah at the Sugar Water Festival.{{cite news |author=Sam Machkovech |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-08-03/music/sugar-water-festival/ |title=Sugar Water Festival |newspaper=Dallas Observer |date=August 3, 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070206/http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-08-03/music/sugar-water-festival/ |url-status=dead }}

After receiving her first computer as a Christmas gift, Badu began communicating with and receiving music from Questlove, Q-Tip and J Dilla, among others. She later began to use her laptop as a mini recording studio to construct various backing tracks for songs, which led to the album's primary recording sessions at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Patrick|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2008_03_newamerykah1.html|title=Erykah Badu :: New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) :: Universal Motown|publisher=RapReviews. Flash Web Design Exclusive|date=March 18, 2008|access-date=October 25, 2011}}{{cite magazine|last=Frere-Jones|first=Sasha|author-link=Sasha Frere-Jones|url=https://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2008/03/31/080331crmu_music_frerejones|title=Monarch|magazine=The New Yorker|publisher=Condé Nast|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=October 21, 2011|archive-date=June 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625221934/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2008/03/31/080331crmu_music_frerejones?currentPage=all|url-status=dead}}

In 2007 Badu was said to have three albums in the works for release during 2007 and 2008. "Honey", a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007. The fourth studio album, New Amerykah Part One, was released by Universal Motown Records, in the United States on February 26, 2008, Badu's 37th birthday. It was released in European countries on February 29,{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Erykah+Badu&titel=New+Amerykah+Part+One+%284th+World+War%29&cat=a|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)|publisher=hitparade.ch. Hung Medien|access-date=December 25, 2011}} in Australia and the United Kingdom on March 3,{{cite web|last=Boraman|first=Greg|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/26gb|title=Review of Erykah Badu – New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)|publisher=BBC Music. BBC|date=April 2, 2008|access-date=December 28, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.telegraph.co.uk/new-amerykah-australian-import.html|title=New Amerykah [Australian Import]|newspaper=Telegraph Entertainment|access-date=December 28, 2011}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and in Japan on March 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICT-1038|title=NEW AMERYKA Erykah Badu [CD]|publisher=CD WOW!. Neowing|access-date=December 28, 2011}} Both Japanese and Australian editions contain the bonus track "Real Thang". The album's digital release on the iTunes Store featured the song's "Tumbling Dice Remix" as a bonus track.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-amerykah-pt-1-4th-world/274231990|title=Music – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War) by Erykah Badu|date=February 26, 2008|publisher=iTunes. Apple Inc.|access-date=December 28, 2011}} New Amerykah Part One was also released as a double vinyl LP on March 11,{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7618106|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, PT. 1: 4th World War LP|publisher=CD Universe. Muze|at=Product Detail|access-date=November 6, 2011}} and on USB stick format.{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080204006273/en/Erykah-Badus-Honey-Music-Video-Tribute-Music|title=Erykah Badu's 'Honey' Music Video is Tribute to Music and Music Lovers|publisher=Business Wire|location=New York|date=February 4, 2008|access-date=October 22, 2011}}

The album's lead single, "Honey", was released on December 11, 2007.{{cite web|last=Wilonsky|first=Robert|url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/12/livin_in_a_nu_amerykah.php|title=Livin' in a Nu AmErykah|work=Dallas Observer|publisher=Village Voice Media|date=December 11, 2007|access-date=October 22, 2011|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221194840/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/12/livin_in_a_nu_amerykah.php|url-status=dead}} It reached number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100, on which it spent three weeks.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}}|title=Honey [*] – Erykah Badu|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=December 25, 2011}} The song also charted at number 22 and spent 17 weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Upon release New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) received universal acclaim from critics.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/new-amerykah-part-one-4th-world-war|title=New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) Reviews, Ratings, Credits|publisher=Metacritic. CBS Interactive|access-date=December 25, 2011}}

In the United States, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 125,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046359/janet-dethrones-jack-to-top-billboard-200|title=Janet Dethrones Jack To Top Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|date=March 5, 2011|access-date=December 25, 2011}} It was Badu's best opening week since her debut album Baduizm in 1997. It also entered at number two on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=erykah badu|chart=all}}|title=New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War – Erykah Badu|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=December 25, 2011}}

According to Nielsen Soundscan, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) sold 359,000 copies in the United States by early 2010.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266406/erykah-badu-unveils-new-amerykah-part-ii |title=Erykah Badu Unveils 'New Amerykah, Part II' |magazine=Billboard |date=February 23, 2010 |access-date=October 27, 2013}}

Erykah Badu performed at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans the weekend before Halloween 2008.{{cite web|author=Z, Chris |date=June 6, 2008 |url=http://www.planeturban.com.au/urban_news/event_news_erykah_badu_and_wyclef_join_voodoo_experience_bill |title=Erykah Badu and Wyclef Join Voodoo Experience Bill |publisher=planeturban.com |access-date=July 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014082140/http://www.planeturban.com.au/urban_news/event_news_erykah_badu_and_wyclef_join_voodoo_experience_bill |archive-date=October 14, 2008 }} In the United Kingdom, the album charted at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart, on which it spent one week.{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/erykah%20badu/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204183240/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/erykah%20badu/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2013|title=Erykah Badu|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|at=Albums|access-date=December 25, 2011}} In France, it debuted at number 49 and spent 11 weeks on the French Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Erykah+Badu&titel=New+Amerykah+Part+One+%284th+World+War%29&cat=a|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)|publisher=lescharts.com. Hung Medien|access-date=December 25, 2011}} In Switzerland, it debuted at number 10 and spent six weeks on the Swiss Albums Top 100. In the Netherlands, the album entered at number 25 and spent seven weeks on the Mega Album Top 100.{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Erykah+Badu&titel=New+Amerykah+Part+One+%284th+World+War%29&cat=a|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)|publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch|access-date=December 25, 2011}} In Poland, it reached number nine and spent eight weeks on the Polish Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=448&lang=en|title=Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS – Official Retail Sales Chart|publisher=OLiS|at=sales for the period: 14.04.2008 – 20.04.2008|date=April 28, 2008|access-date=December 25, 2011}} The album's highest international charting was number five in Sweden, where it charted for seven weeks.

During 2008 and 2009, Badu embarked on two world tours. The Vortex Tour (2008) was a tour in support of New Amerykah Part One.{{Cite web|url=https://www.universalmusic.com/company/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314070503/http://www.universalmusic.com/artist-news/erykah-badus-tour-dates-for-new-amerykah-announced|url-status=dead|title=Universal Music Group|archivedate=March 14, 2012|website=UMG}} The U.S. tour kicked off May 4 in Detroit, MI, ending on June 15 in Albuquerque, NM.[http://www.soundspike.com/news/2/13982-erykah_badu_news_erykah_badu_tours_amerykah.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721144156/http://www.soundspike.com/news/2/13982-erykah_badu_news_erykah_badu_tours_amerykah.html|date=July 21, 2011}} The second leg of tour reached Europe on June 25, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Badu toured across Europe playing shows that included an itinerary for the month of July. Several more shows were added throughout August in the U.S. The Jam Tour was a summer music concert tour in 2009. The tour started in March; Badu played dates across North America twice and Europe, and the tour ended in Dallas, Texas on October 16. During the second U.S. leg, Badu was featured as a special guest co-headliner on hip-hop artist Mos Def's "Ecstatic Tour"{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9673/title.erykah-badu-joins-leg-of-mos-def-s-ecstatic-tour |title=Erykah Badu Joins Leg Of Mos Def's Ecstatic Tour |magazine=HipHopDX |date=2009-08-21 |access-date=2016-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221184804/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9673/title.erykah-badu-joins-leg-of-mos-def-s-ecstatic-tour |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }} on select September dates.[http://www.urb.com/2009/08/21/erykah-badu-gets-on-mos-defs-tour/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302191301/http://www.urb.com/2009/08/21/erykah-badu-gets-on-mos-defs-tour/|date=March 2, 2010}}

"New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)", Badu's fifth studio album, was released March 30, 2010, on Universal Motown in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2010/01/erykah_badu_formally_announces.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128163024/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2010/01/erykah_badu_formally_announces.php |url-status=live |archive-date=January 28, 2010 |work=Dallas Observer |author=Pete Freedman |title=Erykah Badu Formally Announces New Amerykah, Pt. II Details |date=January 20, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2010 }} It was released in Japan on April 14, 2010.[http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICT-1053 Product Page: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208070440/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICT-1053 |date=February 8, 2015 }}. CDJapan. Retrieved 2010-03-31. Upon release the album was met with general acclaim from critics.[https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/baduerykah/newamerykahpart2 New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010): Reviews] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406042701/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/baduerykah/newamerykahpart2 |date=April 6, 2010 }}. Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-03-30. The album debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week.Caulfield, Keith. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958703/usher-scores-third-straight-no-1-on-billboard-200 Usher Scores Third Straight No. 1 On Billboard 200] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307063727/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958703/usher-scores-third-straight-no-1-on-billboard-200 |date=March 7, 2016 }}, Billboard. Retrieved 2010-04-07. It also entered at number two on Billboard{{'}}s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In the United Kingdom, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) debuted at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart and at number nine on the R&B Albums Chart.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rnbalbums/ UK Top 40 RnB Albums (4 April 2010)]. BBC Online. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100723181421/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rnbalbums Archived] on 2010-04-07. In Canada, the album debuted at number 36 on the Top 100 and at number five on the R&B Top 50 chart."Albums: Top 100 – For the Week Ending 4 April 2010". Jam!. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20041226005640/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html Archived]}} on 2010-04-10."R&B: Top 50 – For the Week Ending 4 April 2010". Jam!. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20070403020333/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/RANDB.html Archived]}} on 2010-04-10. New Amerykah Part Two achieved moderate chart success in international markets, peaking within the top 50 in several countries, including Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/album/54313 |title=New Amerykah Part Two (return Of The Ankh) by Erykah Badu – Music Charts |website=Acharts.us |access-date=2016-01-01}}

During March 2010, Badu promoted the album through television performances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Wendy Williams Show, Chelsea Lately, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Good Day New York. She also appeared on the April issue cover of EQ magazine and was featured in issues of Nylon, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York, Spin, Vibe, Paste, and People, among others.Press release. [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100331006437&newsLang=en ERYKAH BADU's New Album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH, in Stores Today] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203615/http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100331006437&newsLang=en |date=March 3, 2016 }}. Business Wire. Retrieved 2010-03-31. Badu performed at a surprise midnight show on March 31, 2010 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.Kennedy, Gerrick D. [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/ "Live review: Erykah Badu's surprise midnight show at the El Rey"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626033207/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/ |date=June 26, 2012 }}, Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-03-31.

The internet-only promotional single "Jump up in the Air (Stay There)", featuring Lil Wayne and Bilal, was released on Badu's official website in January 2010. RC Williams, Badu's musical director, said that a music video for the track was shot in Dallas.{{cite web |url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/jan/13/grammy-nominee-rc-williams-influences-music-indust/?refscroll=3686. |work=Pegasus News |last=Crisman |first=Sarah |title=Grammy-nominee RC Williams influences music industry at large, calls Dallas home |date=January 13, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226154633/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/jan/13/grammy-nominee-rc-williams-influences-music-indust/?refscroll=3686. |archive-date=February 26, 2012 }} The album's first official single, "Window Seat", was released by Badu through a downloadable link on her Twitter page.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FatBellyBella |title=ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) |publisher=Twitter |date=2014-06-01 |access-date=2016-01-01}} The song peaked at number 16 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album's second single, "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)", was released March 24, 2010 by Badu as a free download online.Columnist. [http://americanidolizing.com/gossip/New-Music-Erykah-Badu-Turn-Me-Away-1952044.html New Music: Erykah Badu ~ 'Turn Me Away']{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. American Idolizing. Retrieved 2010-04-25.Columnist. [https://archive.today/20120910160244/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/EntertainmentNews.aspx?Section=2&Id=1252720&SM=1 Erykah Badu Offers New Single As Free Download] . RTTNews. Retrieved 2010-04-25. It spent three weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 87.

On Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Vimeo.com released a new video for "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long", directed by Flying Lotus. The video was tweeted by Badu herself and friend and associated music act Questlove from the Roots.{{cite web|author=Like |url=http://vimeo.com/19749132 |title=Erykah Badu – Gone Baby, Don't be Long on Vimeo |publisher=Vimeo.com |date= February 9, 2011|access-date=March 3, 2012}}

On March 13, 2010,Hauk, Hunter.[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/0330quickbadu.1f733ed77.html "Badu speaks out about 'Window Seat' video"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123010750/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/0330quickbadu.1f733ed77.html |date=November 23, 2010 }}, DallasNews.com. March 29, 2010. Badu filmed the video for her song "Window Seat", at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. She wrote on her Twitter feed that the video "was shot guerrilla style, no crew, 1 take, no closed set, no warning, 2 min., Downtown Dallas, then ran like hell."{{cite web |url=http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/89507472.html |title=Erykah Badu Strips on Downtown Dallas Street For Music Video |publisher=Kwtx.com |date=March 30, 2010 |access-date=October 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204536/http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/89507472.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} The team did not acquire permission or permits from the city. In the video, Badu shed her clothes as she walked along a Dallas sidewalk until she was nude at the site where Kennedy was shot. A shot rang out as the song ended, Badu's head jerked back, and she fell to the ground. Children with their families could be seen nearby as Badu stripped.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox4news.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401081525/http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/032910-singer-strips-naked-on-dallas-grassy-knoll-in-new-video|url-status=dead|title=FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth|date=October 27, 2021|archivedate=April 1, 2010|website=FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth}} When asked about stripping nude in the presence of minors, Badu said, "I didn't think about them until I saw them, and in my mind I tried to telepathically communicate my good intent to them. That's all I could do, and I hoped they wouldn't be traumatized."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/police-may-charge-erykah-badu-for-nude-window-seat-video-20100402|title=Police May Charge Erykah Badu for Nude "Window Seat" Video |last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=April 2, 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 1, 2013}}

File:Erykah Badu, Umbria Jazz 2012 (2).JPG in 2012]]

Badu said on The Wanda Sykes Show on April 3, 2010, that it was not her intention to insult the memory of the late President John F. Kennedy (JFK): "My point was grossly misunderstood all over America. JFK is one of my heroes, one of the nation's heroes. John F. Kennedy was a revolutionary; he was not afraid to butt heads with America, and I was not afraid to show America my butt-naked truth."Hanek, Joel. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635394/20100405/badu_erykah.jhtml Erykah Badu Defends "Window Seat" On 'Wanda Sykes Show'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424212419/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635394/20100405/badu_erykah.jhtml |date=April 24, 2010 }}, MTV.com., April 5, 2010. Coodie and Chike, directors of the "Window Seat" video, said they had bail money ready during filming in case Badu was arrested. Badu said the video was a protest against "groupthink" and was inspired by Matt and Kim's music video "Lessons Learned." Badu has also said she has "no regrets".

In 2011 Badu appeared on Flying Lotus's fourth album, Until the Quiet Comes.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/42169-flying-lotus-working-with-erykah-badu/ |title=Flying Lotus Working With Erykah Badu | News |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=October 27, 2013}} Badu appeared on the debut album by the supergroup Rocketjuice and The Moon, which was released in March 2012{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/albarn-allen-flea-0104-2012/ |title=Chili Peppers' Flea and Blur's Damon Albarn Talk New Group: Rocketjuice and the Moon |publisher=Gibson.com |access-date=May 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311024733/http://www.gibson.com/en%2Dus/Lifestyle/News/albarn%2Dallen%2Dflea%2D0104%2D2012/ |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} and the album Black Radio by Robert Glasper. In 2013, Badu appeared on "Treehome95" from Tyler, The Creator's second studio album, Wolf as well as on the song "Heaven for the Sinner" from Bonobo's album The North Borders.{{cite web|last=Martins |first=Chris |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/03/tyler-the-creator-wolf-real-track-list-stereolab-erykah-badu/ |title=Tyler, the Creator's 'Wolf' Really Will Feature Stereolab Singer and Erykah Badu |publisher=SPIN |date=March 26, 2013 |access-date=April 1, 2013}} Badu featured on Janelle Monáe's first single from her second studio album, The Electric Lady, "Q.U.E.E.N." The song premiered on SoundCloud and was made available for download purchase at the iTunes Store on April 23, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.jmonae.com/news/special-announcement-56276 |title=Special Announcement – Janelle Monáe Latest News |publisher=Jmonae.com |access-date=April 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415235007/http://www.jmonae.com/news/special-announcement-56276 |archive-date=April 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The song peaked at 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

In May 2013, Badu announced she was writing her next project, but not placing a time constraint on it.{{cite web|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2013-05-28/Erykah-Badu-and-Janelle-Monae-Talk-New-Albums-and-New-Music/#ixzz2sNeGBAbW |title=News – Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae Talk New Albums and New Music |website=Singersroom.com |date=2013-05-28 |access-date=2016-01-01}}

In July 2014, Badu revealed she was still working on the album and had been recording in April in Africa where she was "laying down drum tracks". Badu also said that prior to her trip to Africa she would have meetings with her record label to set a deadline for the album.Robert Wilonsky, [http://popcultureblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/erykah-badu-on-that-next-record-playing-casinos-and-dave-chappelles-epic-block-party.html/ "Erykah Badu on that next record, playing casinos and Dave Chappelle's epic 'Block Party'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040826/http://popcultureblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/erykah-badu-on-that-next-record-playing-casinos-and-dave-chappelles-epic-block-party.html/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}, The Dallas Morning News, July 8, 2014.

Later that year Badu expanded on the album, stating she was working with producer Flying Lotus, who she met via MySpace years ago; they later met in L.A. at guitarist Steve Wilson's house.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201111/erykah-badu-gq-music-issue |title=The Survivors: Erykah Badu |magazine=GQ |date=2011-11-03 |access-date=2016-01-01 |archive-date=March 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302021952/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201111/erykah-badu-gq-music-issue |url-status=dead }}

In 2015, Badu appeared on "Rememory", a song from Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment's album Surf.{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Donnie-trumpet-and-the-social-experiment-surf-tracklist-and-album-artwork-lyrics|title=Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment – Surf Tracklist & Album Artwork|work=Genius}}

In July 2015, Badu released a free mixtape of her favorite recordings, describing the set as "carefully and lovingly selected high frequency tones for the soul." The mixtape features mostly vintage funk, soul and jazz songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/erykah-badu-mixtape-jazz-funk.html |title=Listen To A New Mixtape Of Jazz & Funk From Erykah Badu Okayplayer |website=Okayplayer.com |date= July 25, 2015|access-date=2016-01-01}}

On March 26, 2015, Erykah Badu performed at The Bomb Factory in her hometown, Dallas, Texas, for the Deep Ellum venue's grand opening. The sold-out show also featured fellow Dallas native, singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe.Wilonsky, Robert (2015-03-27). [http://www.guidelive.com/music/2015/03/27/game-changer-erykah-badu-sarah-jaffe-mark-glorious-return-bomb-factory/ "The game changer: Erykah Badu, Sarah Jaffe mark the glorious return of The Bomb Factory {{!}} Guide Live"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807225023/http://www.guidelive.com/music/2015/03/27/game-changer-erykah-badu-sarah-jaffe-mark-glorious-return-bomb-factory/ |date=August 7, 2016 }} guidelive.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.

In early October, Badu released a remix of Drake's single "Hotline Bling",{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/10/01/new-music-erykah-badu-hotline-bling-remix/ |title=New Music: Erykah Badu – 'Hotline Bling (Remix)' |website=Rap-up.com |date=2015-12-28 |access-date=2016-01-01}} and later released a mixtape, But You Caint Use My Phone, on November 27, 2015, making it available for digital download and streaming exclusively through Apple Music.{{cite magazine |url=https://consequence.net/2015/11/stream-erykah-badus-new-mixtape-but-you-caint-use-my-phone/ |title=Stream: Erykah Badu's new mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone |magazine=Consequence of Sound |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=November 30, 2015}} After one week of exclusive release on iTunes, But You Caint Use My Phone was released to other digital retailers and streaming services on December 4, 2015.{{cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6777850/erykah-badu-but-you-caint-use-my-phone-mixtape-drake-andre-3000 |title=Erykah Badu Calls In Andre 3000 on 'But You Caint Use My Phone' Mixtape |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015}} The mixtape was released without the knowledge of her label Universal, due to Badu sending the record straight to iTunes. It also marked Badu's first release under her own record label, Control Freaq.{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-erykah-badu-talks-but-you-caint-use-my-phone-20151127-story.html |title=Erykah Badu talks 'But You Cain't Use My Phone' from inside a party bus |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015}} But You Caint Use My Phone received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,000 equivalent album units in its first week.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/but-you-caint-use-my-phone-mixtape/erykah-badu |title=Reviews for But You Cain't Use My Phone [Mixtape] by Erykah Badu |publisher=Metacritic. CBS Interactive |access-date=December 26, 2015}}{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6805299/penatonix-holiday-albums-chart-billboard-200 |title=Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Pentatonix & 47 More Holiday Albums Shine Bright on List |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=December 26, 2015}} Badu also hosted the 2015, 2016 and the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/celebrity/erykah-badu-2016-soul-train-awards|title=Erykah Badu Set To Host The 2016 Soul Train Awards|date=October 13, 2016}}

Within two months of the release of But You Caint Use My Phone in 2016, Badu announced a follow-up mixtape titled This $hit Too Easy was to be released; however, this mixtape hasn't surfaced. The same year, Badu released new three tracks on SoundCloud, including Trill Friends, Thru It All and Come See Badu. On January 24, 2018, she announced a release of a new mixtape, but like the aforementioned mixtape, remains unreleased. In a publication on Vulture, Badu announced she was slowly making progress on her sixth studio album.

Badu held her annual "Still Boomin'" sold-out birthday bash concert at The Bomb Factory on February 26, 2016, marking her second performance at the venue since its grand opening 11 months earlier. The event was hosted by Badu's close friend Dave Chappelle and featured a surprise appearance by André 3000 of the duo Outkast. Badu enlisted Dallas' local hip hop acts Zach Witness and Cameron McCloud as her supporting acts, after collaborating with Witness earlier that year at his home studio.{{Cite magazine |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |date=2016-04-18 |title=Erykah Badu, the Godmother of Soul |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/25/erykah-badu-the-godmother-of-soul |access-date=2023-09-12 |issn=0028-792X}}Galicia, Mikel (2016-02-29). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/erykah-badus-annual-birthday-bash-reached-a-new-peak-friday-night-8078691/ "Erykah Badu's Annual Birthday Bash Reached a New Peak Friday Night {{!}} Dallas Observer"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502204614/http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/erykah-badus-annual-birthday-bash-reached-a-new-peak-friday-night-8078691/ |date=May 2, 2016 }} dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14. In 2016, Badu also starred as Turquoise in the film The Land. For the film, Badu also released the title track The Land, which featured rapper Nas.

On August 15, 2018, the NPR video series Tiny Desk Concerts, released a new episode featuring Erykah Badu and her band performing live.{{Cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/2018/08/14/638483063/erykah-badu-tiny-desk-concert |title = Erykah Badu: Tiny Desk Concert|newspaper = NPR|date = August 15, 2018|last1 = Contreras|first1 = Felix}} The same day, NPR released the What's Good with Stretch & Bobbito podcast episode featuring a fresh interview with Erykah Badu where she spoke of being a certified Doula, her inherited sense of humor from her mother, stand-up comedy, her avoidance of print interviews after her 2008 experience being misquoted, and Prince.{{Cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/2018/08/07/636469894/erykah-badu |title = Erykah Badu|newspaper = NPR.org}} On November 7, while hosting NTS series Sound of Color Badu debuted a studio recording of a previously unreleased and untitled song that has been dubbed Money Can't Buy Me Love by fans.

On June 2, 2019, Badu teased the release of a new song which she performed live at Barcelona's Primavera Sound Festival, tentatively titled The Work (The Way She Sees). The following day on June 3, 2019, Badu released a new single titled Tempted, a cover of Tempted by Squeeze in collaboration with instrumentalist James Poyser. This song marks her first official single since Phone Down in 2015. In September, Badu confirmed her plans to release her sixth studio album "soon" via a comment to a fan on Instagram.

In May 2020, she featured on a single titled "Beehoove" alongside D'Angelo on Slingbaum's vinyl-only release debut studio album, Slingbaum One. On June 19, 2020 Badu featured on the song "Lowkey" by singer Teyana Taylor. In August 2020, Badu contributed to the live streamed recording of Bilal's EP VOYAGE-19, created remotely during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It was released the following month with proceeds from its sales going to participating musicians in financial hardship from the pandemic.{{cite magazine|last=Schatz|first=Lake|date=September 7, 2020|url=https://consequence.net/2020/09/stream-bilal-voyage-19-album/|title=Stream Bilal's New Album VOYAGE-19|magazine=Consequence of Sound|access-date=September 12, 2020}} In December 2022, she featured on a track titled "Yun" on RM's debut studio album Indigo.{{Cite web |last=Garvey |first=Marianne |date=2022-12-02 |title=BTS' RM duets with Erykah Badu and Anderson .Paak on his 'Indigo' album |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/02/entertainment/bts-rm-album-duet-music/index.html |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Badu's work draws from R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop, and became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s along with artists like D'Angelo.{{cite magazine|last1=Sanneh|first1=Kelefah|title=Godmother of Soul|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/25/erykah-badu-the-godmother-of-soul|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=24 August 2016}} For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. Badu's has been described as an experimental R&B singer,{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=August|title=BET Experience black music fest at L.A. Live sizzles|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-jun-29-la-et-bet-scene-20130630-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=24 August 2016|date=June 29, 2013}}{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Christina|title=Erykah Badu Features Andre 3000 And Drake Soundalike On New Mixtape: Listen|url=http://www.idolator.com/7616244/erykah-badu-andre-3000-drake-but-you-caint-use-my-phone|website=Idolator|access-date=24 August 2016|date=November 27, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and her work explores contemporary forms of soul and hip hop. Mama's Gun is a neo soul album, that incorporates funk, soul, and jazz styles.{{cite web|last=DaCosta |first=Jamaias |date=March 16, 2012 |url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/3/On-the-record-Erykah-Badus-Mamas-Gun |title=On the record: Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun |publisher=CBC Music. CBC |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/ |archive-date=March 1, 2016}} The album has been viewed by critics as a women's companion to neo soul artist D'Angelo's second album Voodoo (2000), which features a similar musical style and direction.Brunner, Rob. [https://ew.com/article/2000/11/20/mamas-gun/ Review: Mama's Gun] . Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-08-09.Klein, Joshua. "[https://archive.today/20130131212222/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/64961338.html?dids=64961338:64961338&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+06,+2000&author=Joshua+Klein&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Badu's+Subdued,+Seductive+'Gun'&pqatl=google Review: Mama's Gun"], The Washington Post: C.05. December 6, 2000. (Transcription of original review at talk page)Gill, Andy. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/this-weeks-album-releases-626073.html Review: Mama's Gun] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201506/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/this-weeks-album-releases-626073.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 2010-03-30. Worldwide Underground followed in the same vein as Badu's previous efforts: the album is neo-soul and prominently incorporates hip hop and funk elements, while also featuring an unconventional musical structure.

New Amerykah Part One has a dense{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Nick|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/15306/Erykah-Badu-New-Amerykah-Pt.-1-%284th-World-War%29/|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Pt. 1 (4th World War) (staff review)|website=Sputnikmusic|date=February 27, 2008|access-date=November 21, 2011}} stylistic amalgam that primarily incorporates funk, soul, and hip hop genres,{{cite news|last=Ryzik|first=Melena|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/arts/music/02ryzi.html?pagewanted=all|title=The Mind of a One-Woman Multitude|work=The New York Times|date=March 2, 2008|access-date=October 20, 2011}}{{cite journal|author=Staff|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2008|journal=Mojo|publisher=Bauer|date=January 2009|issue=182|page=72}} as well as jazz and electronica.{{cite web|last=Hardy|first=Ernest|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-feb-29-et-albums29-story.html|title='Amerykah' the beautiful|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=October 27, 2011}} In contrast to its predecessor, New Amerykah Part One (2008), which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part Two incorporates sampling and live instrumentation.{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1313322/review|title=New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War – Erykah Badu|website=AllMusic|at=Review|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=October 23, 2011}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266406/erykah-badu-unveils-new-amerykah-part-ii|magazine=Billboard|author=Mariel Concepcion|title=Erykah Badu Unveils 'New Amerykah, Part II'|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=December 17, 2009}}

File:Erykah Badu FEP.jpg

The majority of Badu's music is greatly influenced by her beliefs of the Nation of Gods and Earths and her exploration of her African heritage.Marlo David, African American Review, Vol. 41, No. 4, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/25426985?seq=1 "Afrofuturism and Post-Soul Possibility in Black Popular Music"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314204546/http://www.jstor.org/stable/25426985?seq=1 |date=March 14, 2016 }}, Post-Soul Aesthetic (Winter 2007), pp. 695–707. The songs in her album Baduizm express her personal take on life. Her philosophy is influenced by African ideology, African-centered and Five Percent theologies, and Southern African-American folk traditions. Mama's Gun has a confessional lyrical theme, covering themes of insecurity, social issues, and personal relationships. Worldwide Underground contains minimalist songwriting concerning hip hop culture, love, ghetto life, and gang culture.Jones, Steve. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2003-09-15-listenup_x.htm Review: Worldwide Underground] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702123521/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2003-09-15-listenup_x.htm |date=July 2, 2004 }}. USA Today. Retrieved 2009-08-09.King, Aliya S. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20200801110708/https://books.google.com/books?id=4iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA147&dq= Review: Worldwide Underground"], Vibe: 147. November 2003.Chauhan, Sunil. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/erykah-badu/worldwide-underground.htm Review: Worldwide Underground] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192040/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/erykah-badu/worldwide-underground.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2009-11-11.Green, Thomas H. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3607331/Scat-woman-slinks-back-in-style.html "Review: Worldwide Underground"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229090318/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3607331/Scat-woman-slinks-back-in-style.html |date=February 29, 2016 }}, The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-03-30. New Amerykah Part One is an esoteric concept album with sociopolitical themes and mostly downbeat subject matter,{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7612207|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, PT. 1: 4th World War CD Album|publisher=CD Universe. Muze|access-date=October 22, 2011}}{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/new-amerykah-20080306|title=New Amerykah|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=November 13, 2011}} featuring more impersonal topics and social commentary than on Badu's previous work.{{cite web|last=Nero|first=Mark Edward|url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/NewAmerykah1.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080304034028/http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/NewAmerykah1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2008|title=Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, Pt. One: 4th World War|publisher=About.com|date=February 2008|access-date=October 23, 2011}} Its subject matter deals with social concerns and struggles within the African-American community, exploring topics such as institutional racism, religion, poverty, urban violence, the abuse of power, complacency, cultural identity, drug addiction, and nihilism.{{cite web|last=Abebe|first=Nitsuh|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11562-new-amerykah-part-one-4th-world-war/|title=Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=June 6, 2008|access-date=November 11, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/arts/music/25choi.html?pagewanted=2|title=New CDs|work=The New York Times|date=February 25, 2008|access-date=October 29, 2011}} Badu has said that the album discusses "religion, [...] poor families, the undermining of the working class, the so-called minority",{{cite web|last=Warren |first=Tamara |url=http://www.venuszine.com/articles/music/features/4000/Erykah_Babu |title=Erykah Badu |work=Venus Zine |publisher=Venus Holdings |date=June 1, 2008 |access-date=October 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409104838/http://venuszine.com/articles/music/features/4000/Erykah_Babu |archive-date=April 9, 2010}} Lyrically, New Amerykah Part Two is more personal than its predecessor, focusing on themes of romance and relationships. Badu has described its sound as "very analog".{{cite magazine|first=Michaelangelo|last=Matos|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/03/erykah-badu-soul-diva-scales-back.html|title=Erykah Badu: Soul Diva Scales Back|magazine=Paste|date=March 26, 2010|access-date=March 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201748/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/03/erykah-badu-soul-diva-scales-back.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}

Badu is inspired by "stimulating" experiences. She was also influenced greatly by her music teacher Ms. Goodman,{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201111/erykah-badu-gq-music-issue |title=Erykah Badu: GQ Music Issue 2011: The Survivors |publisher=Gq.com |date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-date=May 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511023512/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201111/erykah-badu-gq-music-issue |url-status=dead }} who encouraged her to take up music. Badu also takes influence from her grandmother and her religious views which Erykah described as a lesson saying "When you do it, it gotta be real, or that's not it."

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Erykah Badu}}

File:Sutton, Surrey London Wellesley Road public art (i).JPG, Greater London, England]]

In 1997, Badu received twenty nominations and won three, Favorite Female Solo Single for "On & On", Favorite Female Solo Album for Baduizm and Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year for "On & On" at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.{{cite web|date=September 20, 1997|title=Badu Wins Big at 3rd Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards|work=Allbusiness.com|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4661595-1.html|access-date=January 3, 2009}}{{cite web|date=March 14, 1998|title=Destiny's Child Leads The Nominees For Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards|work=Allbusiness.com|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4607042-1.html|access-date=January 3, 2009}} In 1998, Badu received fourteen nominations and won eight, including Favorite R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist at the American Music Awards; Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "On & On" and Best R&B Album for Baduizm at the Grammy Awards; Outstanding New Artist and Outstanding Female Artist at the NAACP Image Awards; Favorite Female Soul/R&B Single for "On & On", Favorite Female Soul/R&B Album for Baduizm and Favorite New R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist for "On & On" at the Soul Train Music Awards.{{cite magazine|date=January 27, 1998|title=Spice Was Nice, Puffy Shut Out at AMAs|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=952215|access-date=December 30, 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SMQDAAAAMBAJ&q=1998+American+Music+Awards+winners&pg=PA60|title=Babyface, Erykah Badu and Boyz II Men Among Winners at American Music Awards|date=February 16, 1998|work=Jet|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|access-date=April 15, 2009}}{{cite news|last=Doss|first=Yvette C.|date=February 16, 1998|title='Soul Food' and 'Angel' Are Tops in Image Awards|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-16-ca-19656-story.html|access-date=January 1, 2009}}{{cite web|date=March 14, 1998|title=Badu Wins Big at Soul Train Awards|work=Allbusiness.com|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4603790-1.html|access-date=January 3, 2009}}

In 2000, Badu received two nominations and won one, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMMDAAAAMBAJ&q=42nd+Grammy+Awards+winners&pg=PA56|title=Blacks Showcase Talent and Style at 42nd Grammy Awards|date=March 13, 2000|work=Jet|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|access-date=April 15, 2009}}

In 2003, Badu received twelve nominations and won two, including Video of the Year for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" at the BET Awards and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" at the Grammy Awards.{{cite web|title=2003 Grammys – R&B|work=VH1|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/grammys/2003/nominees/awards.jhtml?nomCat=rb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030225123519/http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/grammys/2003/nominees/awards.jhtml?nomCat=rb|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 25, 2003|access-date=December 30, 2008}}{{cite web|title=2003 Grammys – Media|work=VH1|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/grammys/2003/nominees/awards.jhtml?nomCat=media|access-date=December 30, 2008|archive-date=November 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101032450/http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/grammys/2003/nominees/awards.jhtml?nomCat=media|url-status=dead}}

In 2008, Badu received eleven nominations and won two, including Best Director for "Honey" at the BET Awards and Best Direction in a Video for "Honey" at the MTV Video Music Awards. Overall, Badu has won 16 awards from 59 nominations.{{cite web|title=MTV Video Music Awards – 1997|work=MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830021815/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2008}}{{cite web|title=2008 MTV Video Music Awards |work=MTV Asia |url=http://www.mtvasia.com/Onair/Shows/2008MTVVideoMusicAwards/ |access-date=December 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219172950/http://www.mtvasia.com/Onair/Shows/2008MTVVideoMusicAwards/ |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |df=mdy }}{{cite web|title=2008 MTV VMA – Winners|work=MTV Asia|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/winners.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908061735/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/winners.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2008}}

File:Erykah badu-03-mika.jpg

Although she disputes the term, Erykah Badu has been dubbed "the first lady of neo-soul" and "the queen of neo-soul".Jansen, Steve (May 28, 2009), [http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-05-28/calendar/first-lady-of-neo-soul/ First Lady of Neo-Soul – Page 1] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006090808/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-05-28/calendar/first-lady-of-neo-soul/ |date=October 6, 2014 }}. Phoenix New Times, p. 1. Retrieved March 6, 2011.Kinnon, Joy Bennett (July 1997). "[https://books.google.com/books?id=pi1bXMlgu24C&pg=PA36 Home Brew: Erykah Badu] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320002458/https://books.google.com/books?id=pi1bXMlgu24C&pg=PA36&dq= |date=March 20, 2015 }}". Ebony: 36–37.{{cite book |title= Erykah Badu: The First Lady of Neo-Soul |first=Joel | last= McIver |publisher=Sanctuary |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-86074-385-6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l-FcNAAACAAJ}} Baduizm{{'}}s commercial and critical success earned Erykah Badu popularity at the time and helped establish her as one of the emerging neo soul genre's leading artists. Along with D'Angelo's Brown Sugar (1995) and Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1996), the album has been recognized by music writers for beginning neo soul's popularity and helping the genre obtain commercial visibility at the time.Shapiro (2006), pp. 104–105.Nelson, Trevor. [http://www.trevornelson.com/nonflash/top50.asp Radio 1 Listeners Top 50 Albums of 1993–2003] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717100310/http://www.trevornelson.com/nonflash/top50.asp |date=July 17, 2011 }}. TrevorNelson. Retrieved 2009-03-30.Harvilla, Rob. [http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-15/music/maxwell-returns-so-do-the-giant-panties/ "Maxwell Returns. So Do the Giant Panties"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070009/http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-15/music/maxwell-returns-so-do-the-giant-panties/ |date=October 6, 2014 }}, The Village Voice. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

Erykah Badu's song "Master Teacher" popularized the expression stay woke in the meaning of to continue to be "self-aware, questioning the dominant paradigm and striving for something better."{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/woke-meaning-origin |title=Stay Woke |website=Merriam-Webster |access-date=July 23, 2021 }}

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Badu at number 115 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.{{Cite magazine|date=1 January 2023|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/erykah-badu-30-1234643012/|access-date=15 May 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}

Badu has also ventured into acting. She made her debut as a supporting role in the 1998 film Blues Brothers 2000, playing Queen Mousette.{{cn|date=March 2023}} The film gained mostly mixed to negative reviews from film critics and was considered a commercial failure.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blues_brothers_2000/ |title=Blues Brothers 2000 (1997) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=February 6, 1998 |access-date=2016-01-01}}{{cite web | title=Box Office Mojo | work=Blues Brothers 2000 | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bluesbrothers2000.htm | access-date=December 16, 2006}} Badu made her second appearances in The Cider House Rules (1999), where she played the character of Rose Rose.{{cn|date=March 2023}} The film fared well both critically and commercially,[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cider_house_rules/ "The Cider House Rules (1999)"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508102325/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cider_house_rules/ |date=May 8, 2016 }}. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 15, 2013. with Badu receiving numerous awards and nominations including a win at the 2000 Black Reel Awards for best supporting actress as well as nominations for Screen Actors Guild Awards and Satellite Awards.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

In 2004, Badu returned to the screen playing Lady/Bernadette in House of D.{{cn|date=March 2023}} Badu also had small roles in Before the Music Dies (2005), and Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006). She is reported to have a leading role alongside Mos Def in the upcoming indie film, Bobby Zero, which tells a story of a struggling couple, who hit rock bottom after Mos Def's character gives up his artistic dream to pursue an advertising corporate job to live on.{{cite web |last=Morales |first=Wilson |url=http://www.bvonmovies.com/2008/11/14/erykah-badu-to-star-opposite-mos-def-in-bobby-zero/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120072317/http://www.bvonmovies.com/2008/11/14/erykah-badu-to-star-opposite-mos-def-in-bobby-zero/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2011 |title=Erykah Badu To Star Opposite Mos Def In 'Bobby Zero' |publisher=BV on Movies |date=November 14, 2008 |access-date=October 27, 2013 }} She also appeared in scenes of the music video of Miko Marks' 2006 recording "Mama" and Common's video for "The Light," as well as making a special appearance on the sitcom Girlfriends.

File:Brenda, Shaquanda, Erykah, and Creola.jpg, Creola and Shaquanda Cotton at the Africa Care Academy 10th Annual Educational Awards Banquet in Dallas, Texas]]

In 2008, Badu became the face of fashion designer Tom Ford White Patchouli fragrance. Ford, longtime friends with Badu, considered her the best choice for the campaign. "I have always considered her a true beauty ... she just fits", says Ford.[http://blog.themavenreport.com/?p=6090] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717012548/http://blog.themavenreport.com/?p=6090|date=July 17, 2011}} In late December 2013, it was announced that Badu would become the face of Givenchy's 2014 Spring collection.{{cite web|author=Tracy Clayton |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/tracyclayton/erykah-badu-is-the-face-of-givenchys-new-campaign |title=Erykah Badu Is The Face of Givenchy's New Campaign |date=December 11, 2013 |publisher=Buzzfeed.com |access-date=February 11, 2014}} Badu made her New York Fashion Week debut alongside designer Kerby Jean-Raymond in 2016, styling for his Pyer Moss collection titled "Double Bind." Erykah Badu and Kerby Jean-Raymond titled this collection after Gregory Bateson's idea Double bind. Badu called this collection a "movement" against issues including depression, racism, and hatred.{{Cite news|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/29792/1/erykah-badu-art-activism-nyfw-debut-pyer-moss-styling|title=Erykah Badu on art, activism and her NYFW debut|last=Dazed|date=2016-02-13|work=Dazed|access-date=2017-10-10}}

Badu also remains an activist in her hometown of South Dallas.{{Cite web|url=https://dma.org/press-release/dma-and-starbucks-announce-erykah-badu-headline-free-summer-concert|title=DMA and Starbucks Announce Erykah Badu to Headline Free Summer Concert {{!}} Dallas Museum of Art|website=dma.org|access-date=2020-03-04}}

In Nation19 Magazine Badu talked about why she set up her own charity organization, titled Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3).{{cite news|last=Muhammad Ali|first=Queen|title=Erykah Badu Talks to Nation19.com about going BLIND and more, APDTA|url=https://issuu.com/radiobums/docs/nation19_2/35|access-date=November 30, 2011|newspaper=Nation19.com / 19magazine }} The charity was established in 1997 and aims to provide "community-driven development for inner-city youth" through the use of music, dance, theater and visual arts.{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/charity/blind |title=B.L.I.N.D.: Celebrity Supporters |publisher=Look to the Stars |access-date=February 11, 2014}} The organization's first endeavor was to establish a base of operations. Erykah chose to renovate and reopen the Black Forest Theater in South Dallas.

The Black Forest serves as a community center, bringing people together in order to celebrate the art and culture of south Dallas.

The Black Forest's stage is equipped for shows and performances, and has hosted both free and fundraising concerts by music artists including Prince, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli and Questlove from The Roots. All of the artists volunteered their time to help with the charity.

As an outreach for B.L.I.N.D., Erykah traveled to Africa in February 2003, where she worked with children affected by AIDS and poverty. Badu has also received the Key to the City of Dallas and been recognized in Philanthropy Magazine for her efforts in community service.

On February 20, 2020, Badu opened an online store named Badu World Market.{{cite news |last1=Wise |first1=Kathy |title=Erykah Badu's Online Store Launches Today |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2020/march/the-badu-world-market/ |access-date=19 December 2022 |work=D Magazine |date=20 February 2020}} Badu World Market features bespoke clothing, apothecary goods, musical merchandise, clothing accessories, and more. She also began selling a line of incense; one scent is named "Badu Pussy" because Badu claimed she "took lots of pairs of [her] panties, cut them up into little pieces and burned them."{{Cite web|url=http://www.10magazine.com/|title=- 10 Magazine – Couture, High-end, Boutique Fashion News|date=2020-02-05|website=10 Magazine|access-date=2020-02-11}}

Badu launched her own cannabis line, That Badu, in partnership with the Cookies cannabis brand in 2023.{{cite news |last1=Gelsi |first1=Steve |title=Erykah Badu teams up with Cookies to launch cannabis brand on International Women's Day |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/erykah-badu-teams-up-with-cookies-to-launch-cannabis-brand-on-international-womens-day-df2858b3 |access-date=March 15, 2023 |work=MarketWatch |date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309132403/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/erykah-badu-teams-up-with-cookies-to-launch-cannabis-brand-on-international-womens-day-df2858b3 |archive-date=March 9, 2023}} She also founded a company Apple Trees in 2020 that sells cannabis-related accessories.{{cite news |last1=Devine |first1=Jimi |title=Erykah Badu Drops That Badu Cannabis Line |url=https://www.laweekly.com/erykah-badu-drops-that-badu-cannabis-line/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |work=LA Weekly |date=March 1, 2023}}

Badu became a vegan in 2006: "Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And to me, your soul is your intent. If your intent is pure, you are pure."{{cite news|last=Mickleborough|first=Lisa|title=Erykah Badu|url=http://www.vegnews.com/articles/page.do?catId=7&pageId=30|date=October 6, 2008 | access-date=December 26, 2011|newspaper=VegNews Magazine}} Badu splits her time between her hometown and Fort Greene, New York.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/arts/music/02ryzi.html | work=The New York Times | title=The Mind of a One-Woman Multitude | first=Melena | last=Ryzik | date=March 2, 2008 | access-date=May 2, 2010}}

In 1996, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had her first child, a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin, on November 18, 1997.{{cite web|url=http://globalgrind.com/2013/08/14/erykah-badu-and-the-effect-she-has-on-rappers-kendrick-lamar-jay-electronica-control-blog/|title=Badu's Voodoo: Erykah Badu & The Effect She Has On Rappers (Kendrick Too)|last=Lewis|first=Brittany|date=August 14, 2013|publisher=GlobalGrind.com|access-date=February 18, 2015}} Their relationship ended in 1999. In late 2000, OutKast released the song "Ms. Jackson", which was inspired by André 3000's then relationship with Badu and her mother. The song reached number one on Billboard Hot 100 and would go on to win a Grammy Award.

On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma Sabti Curry; Puma's father is Texas-based rapper The D.O.C. On February 1, 2009, Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba Thedford, with her boyfriend of five years, rapper Jay Electronica.{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/news/erykah-badu-twitters-third-childs-birth |title=Erykah Badu Twitters Third Child's Birth |date=February 2, 2009 |work=Us Weekly |publisher=Wenner Media |access-date=February 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090205224040/http://www.usmagazine.com/news/erykah-badu-twitters-third-childs-birth |archive-date=February 5, 2009 }}

For the 2014 Okayplayer platform and web television OkayAfrica TV, Badu had her DNA tested, and genealogists researched her family ancestry. It was revealed that Badu's mitochondrial DNA traced to the Bamileke people of Cameroon in Central Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2015/02/erykah-badu-discovers-and-reconnects-her-african-roots|first=Yvette|last=Brown|date=February 10, 2015|title=Erykah Badu Discovers And Reconnects With Her African Roots|work=Vibe|publisher=Valence Media|access-date=December 12, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/erykah-badu-family-history-african-ancestry/|title=The Roots Of… Erykah Badu Discovers Her African Ancestry - OkayAfrica|publisher=Okayplayer|date=May 20, 2014|first=Vanessa|last=Wruble|website=OkayAfrica|language=en-US|access-date=December 12, 2019}}

On April 2, 2010, Badu was charged with disorderly conduct for appearing nude in Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas while filming the music video for her single "Window Seat" during March, 2010. The video debuted online March 27, 2010. The video had been filmed spontaneously, without notifying Dallas government officials. Though Badu's performance had an estimated hundreds of eyewitnesses, none complained to police at the time of the incident. After the video gained attention online, the Dallas Police Department actively sought witnesses and complainants.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=Erykah Badu Pleads Not Guilty to "Window Seat" Charge|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/erykah-badu-pleads-not-guilty-to-window-seat-charge-20100430|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 30, 2010|access-date=November 7, 2013}} Sgt. Warren Mitchell said the decision to cite Badu for a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 came after witness Ida Espinosa, 32, of Vernon, offered a sworn statement to police Thursday, April 1. Espinosa declined to comment to The Associated Press.{{cite news|title=Erykah Badu charged over Dallas nude video shoot|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/04/02/erykah_badu_charged_over_dallas_nude_video_shoot/|publisher=Boston.com|date=April 2, 2010}} On April 28, 2010, Badu pleaded not guilty rather than paying the fee by mail.{{cite news|title=Singer Erykah Badu pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charge|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/042910dnmetbadu.cd6f286.html|date=April 29, 2010|work=Dallas Morning News}} On August 13, she paid the $500 ticket and began a term of six months' probation.{{cite news|title=Stripping at Dealey Plaza costs Erykah Badu $500 fine, six months' probation|author=Richard Abshire|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20100817-Stripping-at-Dealey-Plaza-costs-Erykah-1696.ece|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|date=August 17, 2010|access-date=November 7, 2013}}

In February 2012, Badu's concert was cancelled in Malaysia because it was found that she had applied a temporary tattoo of the word Allah on a part of her body. The temporary tattoo was perceived as insulting to Islam, the nation's majority religion.{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/erykah-badu-concert-banned-malaysia-because-insult-islam-body-art-418160|title=Erykah Badu's Malaysia concert cancelled because of 'Insult to Islam' body art|work=International Business Times|date=29 February 2012}}

In April 2014, Badu came under fire by the U.S.-based Human Rights Foundation, for performing at the birthday celebration of King Mswati III, ruler and monarch of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Mswati, credited as Africa's last absolute monarch, is considered to be a serial human-rights abuser, ruling in luxury in a country infamous for its poverty and spiraling HIV rates. Badu presented Mswati with a $100 bill, and a good-luck stone.{{cite web|title=Erykah Badu under fire for singing to King Mswati III|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/celebrity/2014/04/30/erykah-badu-under-fire-for-singing-to-king-mswati-iii|publisher=Times Live|access-date=May 1, 2014}}

In a January 2018 interview with Vulture, Badu was asked about accusations of antisemitism based on a 2008 Haaretz article which describes her telling a Tel Aviv crowd, "[Louis] Farrakhan is not an anti-Semite. He loves all people." She denied being antisemitic, but said, "I'm a humanist. I see good in everybody. I saw something good in Hitler." After being asked to clarify her comments, Badu praised Hitler's paintings.{{cite news|author1=Khal|title=Erykah Badu Faces Major Backlash After Talking Positively About Hitler|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2018/01/erykah-badu-talks-positive-about-hitler|access-date=January 24, 2018|work=Complex|date=January 24, 2018}}{{cite news|title=Visiting U.S. Singer Badu Says She Backs Farrakhan, Palestinian Cause|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4985759|access-date=January 24, 2018|work=Haaretz|agency=Associated Press|date=January 31, 2008}}

In the same interview with Vulture, Badu reacted differently than most other American celebrities about Bill Cosby's sexual predation, saying, "I love Bill Cosby, and I love what he's done for the world. But if he's sick, why would I be angry with him?"{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Mark|title=Erykah Badu claims supportive Hitler stance 'misconstrued'|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article196553999.html|access-date=January 25, 2018|newspaper=Miami Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=January 25, 2018|location=New York City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125555/http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article196553999.html|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In a January 2019 concert, Badu elicited boos from the audience after giving support to musician R. Kelly, saying: "I dunno how everybody else feel about it but I'm putting up a prayer right now for R. ... I love you. Unconditionally". Badu has been criticized for her perceived support of R. Kelly following the release of Lifetime's Surviving R. Kelly, which debuted in 2019 and detailed numerous allegations of sexual abuse by Kelly.{{cite web | url =https://www.essence.com/celebrity/erykah-badu-responds-critics-defending-r-kelly/ | title =Erykah Badu Responds To Critics Who Say She Is Defending R. Kelly: 'I Just Want Peace And Light For Everybody' | last =Rogo | first =Paula | magazine=Essence | date=January 21, 2019|access-date =January 22, 2019}}{{cite web | url =https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-erykah-badu-r-kelly-aragon-20190120-story.html | title =Erykah Badu draws boos at Chicago concert after commenting on R. Kelly | last =Greene | first =Morgan | date =20 January 2019 | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | access-date = 23 January 2019 }}{{Cite web|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=28 August 2020|title=R. Kelly: The history of allegations against him|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40635526|access-date=12 January 2021|website=BBC.com}}

{{Main|Erykah Badu 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){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/but-you-caint-use-my-phone/1440843344 |title=But You Caint Use My Phone by Erykah Badu on iTunes |website=iTunes |date=2015-11-27 |access-date=2016-01-01}}

• 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)

• Neo soul
• Honorific nicknames in popular music

{{Reflist}}

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{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Erykah Badu

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{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}

{{BET Award for Video of the Year}}

{{BET Award for Video Director of the Year}}

{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}

{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}

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{{Soulquarians}}

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