Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu is a Dallas-born singer, songwriter, producer, and cultural force whose work helped define the neo-soul movement of the late 1990s. Her 1997 debut, Baduizm, introduced the hits “On & On” and “Next Lifetime,” earning Grammy recognition and establishing a distinctive blend of soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and spiritual reflection. She expanded that palette across Mama’s Gun, Worldwide Underground, New Amerykah, Parts One and Two, and the 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone. Badu’s collaborations with The Roots, Common, Janelle Monáe, Flying Lotus, and Rapsody reflect her wide musical reach. On August 28, 2026, she released the collaborative album Before The World Blows with producer The Alchemist.

Origin

Dallas, Texas, United States

Active

1994–present