If you are asked to remember a bright soul singer, the name Erykah Badu will immediately pop up in your memory. This singer attracts not only with her charming voice, beautiful manner of performance, but also with her unusual appearance. A nice dark-skinned lady has an incredible love for eccentric headdresses. The original hats and scarves in her stage image have become a real highlight of the style.
Childhood and family of the future celebrity Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright, later known as Erykah Badu, was born on February 26, 1971. It happened in Dallas, Texas, USA. The girl also had a brother and a sister. The father quickly left the family. The mother, left with three children, was torn between work and home.
Her mother helped raise her grandchildren. Grandmother not only looked after and cared for the children, but also contributed to their comprehensive development. Erica has pleased with her creative potential since childhood. Already at the age of 3, her grandmother recorded songs on a tape recorder that her granddaughter performed.
Early creative development of Erykah Badu
Erica first appeared on stage at the age of 4. It was the Theater Center of her hometown. Her mother worked here as an actress. At the theater, Erica's uncle created an art studio for dark-skinned talents. The first performance of the girl in front of the audience with songs and dances took place under the guidance of her godmother.
Erica, seeing the example of her loved ones, realized early on that she would definitely succeed in the creative field. The girl's next appearance on stage took place during her school years. While attending second grade, she volunteered to participate in a children's play. Erica herself chose the role of a bully boy.
Erykah Badu's first steps towards making music
Apart from home concerts, the girl did not seriously study music anywhere. She has always listened to the soul of the 70s with enthusiasm. The girl's favorite performers were Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye. Erica composed her first song at the age of 7.
By her teenage years, she became interested in hip-hop. The girl had rhymes constantly spinning in her head, she wrote and read uncomplicated texts. Erica even performed under the pseudonym MC Apple. Growing up, the girl fell in love with jazz. At the age of 14, she was able to pair up with Roy Hargrove on a local radio station.
Erik Badu's name change
Even in her youth, Erica considered her birth name unsuitable for a successful person. She saw slave roots in him. She just changed the spelling to Erykah. She also decided not to bear her father's surname. The result was Erykah Badu, it was with this name that she became famous.
Getting an education
After completing her compulsory secondary education, Erykah went to study at the Washington High School of the Arts. Here she mastered the basics of vocals and stage skills.
After graduating from an educational institution, the girl sought to continue the development of creative professions. She entered Grambling State University. The girl did not last long, left the institution, deciding to seriously engage in the practical application of her skills.
First professional activity
After dropping out of university, Erykah returned to her hometown. She got a job at a cultural center. Here Badu taught children the basics of drama and dance. This job was needed to earn a minimum income.
The girl dreamed of the scene. In her free time, she performed at parties in a duet with her cousin Robert Bradford. ErykahFree's performances were a success. In a duet with her brother, the singer recorded a demo version of a collection of 19 songs.
At the same time, thanks to her creative activity, the girl met D'Angelo. The musician was preparing to record his debut album. He was amazed by the singer's voice and invited Erykah to participate in his work. Together they performed "Your Precious Love". The song was featured on the soundtrack to High School High, which was released in 1996.
Kedar Massenburg, D'Angelo's manager, was fascinated by the singer's voice. The debut used in the film was liked by the audience. This was the basis for a proposal for cooperation. Erykah Badu signed her first contract and started her solo career.
Career advancement
In 1997, Erykah Badu released his first album. "Baduizm" immediately brought success. The album hit the Billboard, peaking at number two. In a similar hip-hop chart, the collection took the lead. The singer was immediately noticed, called the star of soul.
"Baduizm" was certified three times platinum in the US, and gold in England and Canada. The single "On & On" attracted particular attention. He not only entered the charts, appeared in different countries. The song was nominated for a Grammy. Erykah Badu won the Best R&B Female Singer and her debut album was named the Best R&B Singer. It was an undeniable success.
Erykah Badu Career Development
To stir up interest in her first record, Erykah Badu decided to organize a concert tour. At first she performed with the Wu-Tang Clan, but soon she managed to make her own program.
After the tour, she released the live album Live. The new disc was no less successful than the previous studio collection. He was only 2 positions behind the first project of the singer in the ranking.
The famous bassist Ron Carter, as well as The Roots, participated in the recording. In 1999, for a joint song with the same group and singer Eve Erykah Badu, she received a Grammy in the nomination "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group".
Further creative activity of Erykah Badu
Badu released a new studio album in 200. The Soulquarians and bassist Pino Palladino participated in the recording of the album "Mama's Gun". The album's title track, "Bag Lady", charted for a long time and was also nominated for a Grammy Award. But she didn't win.
A year later, Badu went on a big tour organized in support of the recently released album. Beginning in February, the tour continued throughout the summer. The singer visited many cities in America, as well as some European countries.
In 2003, Erykah released their next album, Worldwide Underground. He was vigorously discussed by critics, but liked by the audience. The singer received 4 Grammy nominations, but did not receive any awards. In 2004, Badu went on another concert tour.
The singer released the next album only in 2008, and in 2010 its sequel was released. In between her solo careers, Badu takes on a variety of jobs: writing, collaborating songs, recording soundtracks, and more, associated with her professional profile.
Erykah Badu's personal life
Along with achieving popularity, Erykah found love. Fate pushed the singer with Andre 3000, who performed as part of the Outkast group. Relationships were vibrant and fast paced. Erykah gave birth to a son, Seven. Shortly thereafter, the relationship with her boyfriend broke up.
The birth of a child did not affect the development of a career. Erykah worked hard during her pregnancy and continued to do so after the baby was born. In 2000, the singer began a romantic relationship with a stage colleague under the pseudonym Common. The result was a fruitful creative activity, as well as a Grammy Award.
In 2004, Erykah became a mother again. She keeps the name of her daughter's father a secret.
Cinema and other activities
Badu didn't just record songs to accompany movies. She has several episodic roles in her career. The main attention is directed to the film "The Cider House Rules", which won an Oscar. The second serious work in the cinema is called the work in the film "Blues Brothers 2000".
In addition to acting, she is a co-founder of the Sugar Water Festival. In the future, the singer plans to open a dance school, as well as an art studio.
