Lovers of Funk, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul and all things to the left packed into the Brooklyn Museum to listen to their leader, Low Down Loretta Brown aka Erykah Badu break it all the way down and drop the jewels that only she can.
“Sisters how ya’ll feel?…Brothas, ya’ll alright?” she asked the audience when she walked on stage.
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The Red Bull Academy hosted an intimate sit-down event with Erykah where the “Window Seat” singer answered questions about her career, mistakes she’s made and her insecurities. For fans, it was an eye-opening moment–they learned that aside from all the head wraps, ankhs, and baby daddies, the sonically adventurous and lyrically brave chanteuse is just like us…human!
Check out the most interesting things we learned about Erykah from the talk:
1. She Opened Up A Show For Biggie
Before Fat Belly Bella began packing stadiums with her own music, she was an emcee and scored the opportunity of a lifetime when she opened for Biggie during a Dallas show in 1994. It wasn’t until 1997, shortly after the release of her single “On & On” on her debut album “Baduizim” that Badu and Big formally met during a studio session.
2. She Was “Petrified” While Filming “Window Seat”
Her infamous “Window Seat” music video, in which she stripped naked in the Dealey Plaza, in her hometown of Dallas, TX, was a nerve-wracking experience for Badu. Not because she was running around Texas naked, but because she wondered would her body be negatively critiqued. “I was holding in m stomach so tight, I wasn’t even singing,” she told the audience.”With each walk I tightened my calf…It’s amazing what you think about. I wasn’t thinking about getting arrested or the police or nothing!”
3. Tyrone Was Improvised!
The anthem for kicking a no-good man to the curb was all improvised! During a soundcheck, Erykah and her band started playing new music and she borrowed stories from her aunties who “were always telling some man about himself.” “We were just on stage, freestyling,” Badu said. “I recording it live in D.C. Then next thing I know, I heard it live on the radio.”
4. Not Too Much Thought Goes Into Her Music
For all her fans, Badoula Oblongata, is regarded as one of music’s most intelligent songstresses for her creative and thought provoking lyrics. But let E tell it, she kind of wings it. “I try not to think too much when I’m doing an album. I just try to be honest and sometimes it takes a long to be honest.”
