Erykah Badu

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in Fort Worth, which led to record label executive Kedar Massenburg signing her to Kedar Entertainment. Her debut album *Baduizm* was released on February 11, 1997, spawning four singles including "On & On" and "Appletree," and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. Her first live album, *Live*, released in November 1997, contained her signature song "Tyrone" and was certified double platinum. Badu was a core member of the Soulquarians, and she collaborated with the Roots on their 1999 release *Things Fall Apart*, featuring on the song "You Got Me," which won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Her second studio album *Mama's Gun* (2000) produced the single "Bag Lady," which became her first top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 6. By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and the two released "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" on the *Brown Sugar* soundtrack, which hit number 9 on the pop chart and won Badu her fourth Grammy Award in 2003.

In Their Own Story

Badu's collaboration with Nas is rooted in a shared commitment to artistic integrity and social consciousness during the early 2000s. While Nas paints vivid pictures of Queensbridge life—the crack vials on the pavement, the corner-store chess games, the sirens at 3 a.m.—Badu provides the atmospheric texture that allows those stories to breathe, a ghostly choir of hums and sighs that turns the projects into a cathedral. This partnership helped define an era where hip-hop and soul were inextricably linked by a common pursuit of truth, a sonic handshake between the street-corner philosopher and the incense-burning mystic.

Reader's Guide

Erykah Badu's most significant contribution to Nas's career is her iconic feature on 'If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)' from the album *Stillmatic*. Her smooth, jazz-inflected vocals provide a dreamy counterbalance to Nas's commanding flow, turning the track into an anthem of idealism and global unity. She also lends her voice to 'The Cross' on the same album, adding spiritual gravity to his reflections on life and mortality. Their relationship is built on mutual respect as titans of their respective genres who prioritize lyrical substance over commercial trends. Badu's collaboration influenced Nas by allowing him to explore softer, more melodic territories without sacrificing his hard-hitting identity. Conversely, working with Nas reinforced her status as an artist unafraid to cross genre boundaries and collaborate with the best lyricists in hip-hop. This partnership helped solidify *Stillmatic* as a classic, proving that conscious rap could thrive alongside neo-soul. Their work together remains a touchstone for fans who value depth and artistry, showcasing how two distinct voices can merge to create something timeless.

Did You Know?

• Badu changed the spelling of her first name from Erica to Erykah because she believed her original name was a 'slave name'; 'kah' signifies the inner self, and she adopted 'Badu' because it is her favorite jazz scat sound.
• She was born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas, and began singing and dancing at age four alongside her mother.
• Her debut album *Baduizm* won two Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for 'On & On' and Best R&B Album.
• Badu recorded her first live album *Live* while pregnant with her son Seven, and the release coincided with his birth.
• She co-founded the Sugar Water Festival with Queen Latifah and Jill Scott in 2005 to bring awareness to health issues for African-American women.