(upbeat music)
- [Presenter] There are some artists
that apply pressure 24/7/365,
consistently proving why their deserving of our attention.
Their talent might keep us grooving on the dance floor,
smiling at the big screen
or enjoying them from our front row seats
while they positively impact pop culture.
No matter where they are,
these artists bless us with their gifts and get us right.
Erica Wright, AKA Erykah Badu is known by many names,
but the one that personifies her best
is Godmother of Soul.
You can't put miss Badu in a box.
She is one of the pioneers of the neo soul sound
combining jazz, funk, hip hop, R&B and soul.
The analog girl in a digital world
has been blessing our ears since 1997
when she dropped her debut album, "Baduizm."
Hypnotizing melodies, spiritual sensuality
and eclecticism with a Southern realness gathered us up.
"On & On" became the first neo soul single
to reach the top of Billboard's R&B chart.
Her presence,
and her sound reminded us of someone we once knew.
Combining a smooth laid back tempo with hip hop lyrics,
resembling a freestyle.
Songs "Next Lifetime", "Other Side Of The Game"
and "Appletree" certified this masterpiece
as a three time platinum album.
Fat Belly Bella's follow up LP,
"Erykah Badu Live" reached top five
on the billboard pop charts
releasing one of the biggest songs
of Erykah's illustrious career
with the hit "Tyrone."
Quickly becoming the anthem
for women dealing with lazy lovers,
some consider this the greatest freestyle of all time.
- "Tyrone", one of my favorite songs of all time.
Some women, honestly
you gotta tell me the inspiration behind that.
I watched the video again today and I'm cracking up.
(Erykah laughing)
- There was no inspiration, really.
You know, just.
- Were you just on stage?
- I was just, yeah,
it was one of those things where you, you know,
got a lot of good energy from the audience.
I was in Japan
where they respect an artist so much you know?
I am just a super star over there, you know?
- [Presenter] Originally performed live in Japan
off the top of her dome,
it went on to become a number one record
on billboard Hot R&B charts.
"Tyrone" will be forever cemented in pop culture.
If we look up the word "Mother earth",
don't be surprised if you see a picture of E Badu.
She gave us something new, exemplifying bold and daring,
combining an eclectic cool with a nod to our history
with head wraps and handmade gowns.
Badu's style inspired many to lean into something new.
Some called her style "Outrageous",
others considered it avant garde fashion inspiration.
Erykah's fashion choice shows us
that there are many layers to sexy
and each layer she dawned literally left us speechless.
From modeling for Tom Ford,
to collaborating with Kerby Jean-Raymond,
the icon launched her own web store
allowing fans to experience her style for themselves.
E Badu told Vogue in 2020
"People would always ask me where did I get this
or how did I create this or that,
the idea that every girl needs a talisman
or an amulet or this type of shoe,
because they weren't just clothes to me
or jewelry or accessories,
they were things that really made me feel good
and in some cases
evolve from the way I thought about things.
If I could offer those things to other girls,
or guys, or people or artists,
I could feel like I'd really be doing something."
From a shaved head to floor-sweeping micros
to towering hats, Baidu has fearlessly demonstrated
a whole lot of style innovation.
To this day, she's unapologetically unique
and inspired us to find our own individual styles.
It's no secret Erykah is from Dallas, Texas.
She has always repped hard for her city
and her city reps hard for her.
So much so that the Godmother of Soul has her very own day.
May 27th has been declared Erykah Badu day in Texas.
The two fans that put in the hard work
to honor their hometown hero were quoted as saying
"Houston loves Badu
and Texas loves Badu in general.
She's more than just some singer,
someone heard on the radio.
She's a healer, a teacher, a role model.
And to us, she's even more.
She's like a second mom.
And we just love her."
Erykah has left her imprint on our souls
with her heartfelt lyrics and words of wisdom for 27 years.
Captivating us with her hypnotic sound and style,
her commitment to being truly herself
and her authenticity coupled with her creativity
will continue to inspire generations into the next lifetime.