Born Erica Abi Wright 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.
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.
Erykah Badu’s breakthrough came in 1997 with the release of her debut album, Baduizm. 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 Billie Holiday 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.”
In 2000, Badu released her second studio album, Mama’s Gun. While it received mixed critical reviews, it performed well commercially and solidified her place in the neo-soul movement. In 2003, she followed with Worldwide Underground, 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.
| Birth Date: | 26 Feb, 1971 |
| Age: | 49 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Dallas |
| residence: | Dallas |
| Education: | Grambling State University |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American neo-soul singer |
| Net Worth 2021: | 10 million |
