Sarah's Musical Kitchen: Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Pt. 2
- May 06, 2010
As a fellow Dallasite I’ve definitely heard an ear full of Erykah Badu since the release of her “Window Seat” video last month. The news has been full of likes and dislikes for Ms. Badu’s controversial video shoot.
If you aren’t aware of her most recent escapade, she did a gorilla style shoot for her latest single by walking the streets of downtown Dallas, slowly stripping down to her birthday suit. Once she reached the famed Dealey Plaza she was completely in the buff and “shot” to the ground in front of quite a few bystanders. In the conservative world of the south this translated into two major outcries. First, she got naked in front of a crowd of people that included some small children, and second, she portrayed herself being shot in the same spot JFK’s life was ended. Everyone has heard plenty of opinions on this, so I’ll get down to my own personal opinion on what really matters...the phenomenal piece of music that is New Amerykah Pt. 2.
I’ve been a fan of Erykah Badu since the first time I saw “On & On”, on what was then MTV, Music TV. Today she remains one of the most influential singers to me lyrically and musically. Baduizm was one of those records that wowed me from beginning to end. Her growth with each album may have lost some people, but she has remained true to her artistry and what she stands for with each album.
Baduizm was R&B perfection. The entire album had a sublime groove that perfectly enveloped a young Badu making her mark on the industry. Each album shined a light on different aspects of Badu’s growing strength in herself and her music. Mama’s Gun was another brilliant record that introduced some different grooves, while still giving the listener a peak into the sensual and love stricken side of Badu. Worldwide Underground and New Amerykah Pt. 1 then again introduced us to yet another side. More political and worldly issues were introduced on these records along with harder beats, darker undertones, and deeper messages.
New Amerykah Pt. 2 has taken us back to the deeper, more personal side of Badu. I absolutely cannot get enough of this album. Every album has drawn a piece of me in, but not since Baduizm has an Erykah Badu album left me completely entranced in her music. The grooves are chill and mellow and her vocals glide above it all in only a way that Badu can do. “Window Seat” is soul perfection and “Gone Baby, Don’t be Long” puts that sway in your head and groove in your bones. Every song delivers from beginning to end. The closing track “Jump Up in the Air and Stay There” featuring Little Wayne is a perfect compliment to this album.
Despite all the controversy that she’s lately endured, Erykah Badu has created one amazing album. After all these years she has remained true to her style no matter which musical route she’s taken. She’s thought provoking, she’s original, she’s organic...simply put, she’s just pretty damn talented.
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