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The First Lady Of Neo Soul: Erykah Badu's Journey To Stardom

Jack Powell

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Erykah Badu Performing On Stage Erykah Badu: The First Lady Of Neo Soul: The First Lady Of Neo Soul

Erykah Badu is one of the most iconic and influential singers of her generation. Her unique blend of R&B, soul, hip hop, and jazz has earned her a devoted following around the world. In her new book, The First Lady Of Neo Soul, Badu tells the story of her journey to stardom, from her humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas, to her rise as one of the most celebrated artists in music.

Badu was born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas. Her parents, William Wright Jr. and Kolleen Maria Gipson, were both musicians, and Badu grew up surrounded by music. She began singing in church at a young age, and by the time she was in high school, she was performing in local talent shows. After graduating from high school, Badu attended Grambling State University in Louisiana, where she studied theater. However, she dropped out after two years to pursue her music career.

Erykah Badu: The First Lady of Neo-Soul: The First Lady of Neo Soul

by Joel McIver

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2948 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In 1994, Badu signed a recording contract with Kedar Entertainment. Her debut album, Baduizm, was released in 1997 and was an instant critical and commercial success. The album spawned the hit singles "On & On," "Appletree," and "Next Lifetime," and won Badu a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Badu's follow-up albums, Mama's Gun (2000),Worldwide Underground (2003),and New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008),were also critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

In addition to her music career, Badu has also appeared in several films and television shows. She made her acting debut in the 1998 film The Cider House Rules, and has since appeared in such films as House of D (2004),Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006),and Black Dynamite (2009). Badu has also hosted her own talk show, The Erykah Badu Show, and has appeared as a guest judge on several reality competition shows.

Erykah Badu is a true pioneer in the music industry. Her unique sound and fearless creativity have inspired countless other artists. She is a role model for women and a symbol of black excellence. The First Lady Of Neo Soul is a must-read for any fan of Erykah Badu or music in general.