Erykah Badu biography, children, tour, songs, kids, net worth

<< Back

Edit Mode: Erykah Badu

Email *

If we need to contact you, we will contact you on this email.

Full Name *

Your name please so that we can credit your work.

Main Text *

<p>Born <a href="/biography/erykah-badu">Erica Abi Wright</a> on February 26, 1971, she is best known by her stage name, Erykah Badu. The name, which she adopted early in her career, marked the beginning of her transformation into a widely celebrated neo-soul artist. Raised in Dallas, Texas, Badu’s upbringing was shaped largely by her mother, who worked as an actress and teacher. Her father left the family when she was young, and she, along with her siblings, was raised by her mother alone. Her mother’s background in theater strongly influenced Badu, who began performing on stage as early as age four at the Dallas Theater Center.</p>

<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>
<p>By her teenage years, Badu was an active and passionate performer, deeply influenced by her cultural surroundings and social awareness. It was during this time that she adopted the name "Erykah Badu"—“kah” signifying her inner self and “Badu” referencing a scat sound associated with jazz. She attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, which helped nurture her artistic talents. Badu later enrolled at Grambling State University in Louisiana, majoring in theater. However, she left college before completing her degree to pursue music full-time, supporting herself through various part-time jobs along the way.</p>

<h2>Breakthrough with 'Baduizm'</h2>
<p>Erykah Badu’s breakthrough came in 1997 with the release of her debut album, <em>Baduizm</em>. The album was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It earned her widespread recognition and drew comparisons to <a href="/biography/billie-holiday">Billie Holiday</a> for her distinctive vocal style. The album won her two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the hit single “On & On.”</p>

<h2>Subsequent Albums and Musical Influence</h2>
<p>In 2000, Badu released her second studio album, <em>Mama’s Gun</em>. While it received mixed critical reviews, it performed well commercially and solidified her place in the neo-soul movement. In 2003, she followed with <em>Worldwide Underground</em>, an experimental album with a more relaxed, jam-session-style approach. Though it received moderate critical response, it was certified Gold by the RIAA and included tracks that resonated on R&B charts and urban radio stations.</p>

[page-break]

<h2>Live Performances and Touring</h2>
<p>Badu has remained an influential live performer, known for her compelling stage presence and soulful sets. She co-founded the Sugar Water Festival in 2005, alongside fellow artists <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Latifah">Queen</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Latifah">Latifah</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Scott_(singer)">Jill Scott</a>, aiming to promote health awareness among <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">African-American</a> women. The festival toured across the United States and had aspirations to expand to Asia and Europe. She also embarked on The Vortex Tour in 2008, which took her across North America and Europe, with continued tour dates extending into 2009.</p>

<h2>Other Ventures and Activism</h2>
<p>Outside of music, Erykah Badu has acted in several films, earning praise for her performances in roles such as in <em>The Cider House Rules</em> and <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_Brothers_2000">Blues Brothers 2000</a></em>. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she is also known for her commitment to social causes. In Dallas, she founded the nonprofit organization Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.), which focuses on community-based initiatives and youth empowerment. Badu is widely respected as a human rights activist and cultural figure in her hometown and beyond.</p>

<h2>Personal Life</h2>
<p>Erykah Badu is known for her distinctive lifestyle choices, including her commitment to a plant-based diet. A vegetarian for many years, she transitioned to veganism in 2008. Her personal life has also drawn public interest. She has three children from different relationships: her first with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/André_3000">Andre 3000</a> of OutKast in 1997, followed by a relationship with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_(rapper)">rapper</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_(rapper)">Common</a> in 2000, then The D.O.C. in 2004, and later with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Electronica">Jay Electronica</a>. Badu has spoken openly about the joys and challenges of motherhood, once even recording a live album while pregnant with her second child.</p>

<h2>Legacy and Net Worth</h2>
<p>Badu's impact on the music industry is significant. With her fusion of soul, jazz, and hip-hop, she became a central figure in the neo-soul movement and has influenced a generation of artists. Her use of astrology, spirituality, and Afrocentric themes distinguishes her both musically and culturally. Over the years, she has built a respected career across various creative domains. As of recent estimates, Erykah Badu’s net worth is approximately $12 million, a testament to her enduring relevance and influence.</p>

Source *

Source you received the information from. eg. personal experiences, acquaintances, web-links, etc

Comment *

Briefly describe the changes you made.

Warning! All fields are required. Empty fields won't allow the form to be submitted and your changes will be lost.
Once the changes are submitted they cannot be edited again until your submission is reviewed.