SXSW 2005 Showcasing Artists
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Erykah Badu
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Part southern girl, part hip hop diva. Elements of Billie Holiday, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan—you hear all of them in the colors and textures of her voice. And yet, she’s a dynamic and unique individual, something the world’s never seen.
Born Erica Wright, February 26, in Dallas, Texas, Erykah Badu is a 4-time Grammy award winner—yet she keeps her roots close to home. Dallas remains her base of operations, her station of connectedness. She lives only minutes from where she grew up in the sometimes-dangerous ghetto neighborhoods of south Dallas. In a world of narcissistic, materialistic pop stars, Erykah Badu practices her own philosophy, Baduizm—Eastern spirituality blended with southern, down-home values. Talking to students at local high schools about the perils of promiscuity, drug abuse, and the pitfalls of poor nutrition, giving free concerts at the grandiose Black Forest Theater she had refurbished in South Dallas, serving as celebrity spokeswoman for the AIDS Arms LifeWalk, Erykah Badu is more than just an artist. She’s a rare breed among celebrities, a true humanitarian for whom the fruits of her artistic endeavors are more than just a vehicle for wealth and fame. They are a catalyst for freedom and revolution. “I’m gonna do what I feel, and I think the audience likes my truth. I think my truth has relevance in this world, and that’s what I wanna share—my story, my truth.” Indeed, Erykah’s truth has powerfully reverberated in the minds and hearts of many. Her debut album, Baduizm, now considered a landmark for R&B music, has gone Platinum five times. She has been nominated for Grammys on each album she has released. Erykah first performed onstage at the age of four, readied for the limelight by her mother, Kolleen Wright, a professional actress. Composing music before the age of ten, Erykah was encouraged to study voice, dance and art, all the while absorbing the R&B music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, as well as the emerging hip hop culture. While attending Booker T. Washington High School For The Performing Arts, she had a regular spot rapping on a local radio show and was known to listeners as “Apples”. Then, seizing her own sense of identity, she renamed herself entirely, changing her name from Erica Wright to Erykah Badu: “kah” for the “inner self” and “ba-du”, after the scat singing of the jazz greats. A star was born, a diva who stood behind the image she projected. The real thing. In 1994, Erykah got her big musical break opening live for recording artist D’Angelo, whose manager at the time was Kedar Masserburg. Kedar signed her to his up and coming label, Kedar Entertainment. Kedar then went on to be the president of Motown, and Erykah became one of the biggest acts of the recent Motown era. Erykah gave birth to a son, Seven, the same day her second LP, Live! was released in the U.S.—quite untraditionally, just a few months after her debut. Erykah named her son Seven because it is “…a divine number which cannot be divided.” Live! went double platinum, soaring to success alongside Baduizm. It hit the top 40 led by a song about a deadbeat boyfriend that was originally improvised onstage in London, “Tyrone”. Erykah has also established a growing film career, appearing in the film Blues Brothers 2000 as a mystical jazz diva and in the critically acclaimed Cider House Rules. Her third album, Mama’s Gun, spawned the single “Bag Lady”, which remained #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart for 7 weeks. Her most recent release, Worldwide Underground, is a gutsy, organic creation, recorded mostly on tour, which gives the collection an energetic, impromptu feel. This album features collaborations with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Queen Latifah, and Angie Stone. Production was handled by a group of Erykah’s longtime collaborators and musicians she’s recently dubbed “Freakquency”. From Stevie Wonder-style choral arrangements to old school hip hop beats pronounced by explosive horn riffs, the entire album is a testament to Ms. Badu’s continuing sophistication when it comes to her craft. In 2003 Erykah announced the formation of her nonprofit group B.L.I.N.D. (Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development). B.L.I.N.D. works to create social change through economic, artistic, and cultural development, beginning in the south Dallas community. The organization’s first project was refurbishing the Black Forest Theater, a venue where a younger Erykah had gone to watch local acts perform. The theater now serves as B.L.I.N.D. headquarters and a space where Erykah has hosted live shows featuring artists such as Prince, The Roots’ ?uestlove, and Snoop Dogg. Expect to hear more from Erykah in 2005. This multi-talented artist will be starring with Robin Williams and Tea Leone in House of D, a film directed by David Duchovny. A second movie is also in the works, but—don’t worry—new music isn’t far behind. Erykah is currently in pre-production for much her much anticipated 4th studio album, yet to be titled but sure to impact the music world as only she can. www.ControlFreaqRecords.com |
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