Erykah Badu is high again, and I couldn't be happier. I don't really know what the above track is (the weird younger sister of the entirely too straightforward "Honey"?) but I do know that it's extremely special. It's a less-than-perfect sounding, perhaps slightly incomplete (dig how it cuts off at the end) rip of the new Badu single that Gilles Peterson played last week on Radio 1. Not sure if that tape hiss on top is intentional, but I'm hoping it is, as it gives the track a deliciously nostalgic ambiance (remember when we listened to tapes, back when hip-hop was good and shit?). Indie hip-hop producer Madlib is responsible for the beat -- love that (stereotypical?) Oriental twinkling and love love LOVE those voices that creep in to respond to Erykah every now and then. Hip-hop soul and R&B are basically synonymous today, but it's rare that you hear something so deep come up against singing, rather than rapping.
It's like Erykah is hotboxing each of the 36 chambers and what comes out is sometimes lofty ("Hip-hop is bigger than the government...is bigger than religion") and sometimes plain-old nonsensical (here's my stab at a transcription of her first lines: "Um dee lee la Allah, Jehovah / No way Dee oh saw haute Jah / Rastafarify a dance, sex, music / Hip-hop..." I like to think that "Dee" refers to she of What's Happening. Praise her.). This is the sound of a woman totally giving herself over to music, both that which she's creating and that which created her. It is my favorite single of 2008 so far and that makes me so excited: I cannot wait to hear whatever's going to top this.
MadLib's a pretty good producer. I wouldn't say that MadVillainy is the best MF Doom album, but there're some undeniably awesome beats. On the Badu side, I've never been a big fan, though I've also never really paid her too much attention. Her lyrics are insane, but I wouldn't expect much more from Andre Benjamin's baby-mama.
Posted by: Hunter | January 23, 2008 at 01:18 AM
I am one of that vocal group that believes Erykah can do no wrong, and seriously I really think she can't. Her music, even at its weirdest, has a way of being totally likable.
I definitely will be buying her next project, however it turns out.
Posted by: Brandon | January 23, 2008 at 01:26 AM
So fucking excited. Worldwide Underground has found its way into my CD player again and again for almost four years now and I can't believe how overlooked it was. This song's gorgeous.
Posted by: Andrew | January 23, 2008 at 01:37 AM
If you didn't catch it last year, by the way, Me'shell Ndegeocello's "The World Has Made Me The Man Of My Dreams" was stunning—a culmination of everything she's done so far, I think. I mention her because I can't think of Erykah Badu without thinking of her too.
Posted by: Andrew | January 23, 2008 at 01:42 AM
Oh, so nice discussion, and so reasonable comments. But i wanna say in the past 2 weeks I have been to several forum sites about interracial relationship etc and to my surprise, I find that many people just interested in my hot pics and videos not my mind on multiraciallove.com …what a pity!
Posted by: kily2008 | January 23, 2008 at 01:52 AM
I never thought anything could possibly beat my favorite E-Badu song, Kiss me on my Neck but holy S, this one might just do it.
Jules
House of Jules
Posted by: bigpikchur.blogspot.com | January 23, 2008 at 03:04 AM
thank you so much for bringing that to my ears. love it, love her, im so glad shes doing something again
Posted by: faith | January 23, 2008 at 08:35 AM
i'aight
Posted by: NYCMami | January 23, 2008 at 11:23 AM
thankfully it's just the picture, but i thought my monitor needed a serious ass cleaning.
it's a good track! hopefully in the video she won't be donning the purple tracksuit and break dancing again (though this is why i mostly love her).
Posted by: anonymouse | January 23, 2008 at 11:26 AM
the line is actually Alhamdulillah which is arabic for "Praise all to god", or something like that.
Posted by: FND | January 23, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I love this song for marrying a really classic hip hop sound with odd, eerie elements (namely Badu's voice, which is sort of haunting in its airy-ness here), with the lyrical twist of spirituality. I've had it on repeat all week. "Honey" was nice but too too boring for someone as innovative as Badu. I'm excited to see what other weird shit she has in store for her album. It's been far too long since World Wide Underground (though "I Want You" is still my jam).
Posted by: Shawn-Shawn | January 23, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Shit! Other Side of the Game is my fav. this is definately a close 2nd. Thanks for posting!
Posted by: Kenna | January 23, 2008 at 11:51 AM
After sleeping on it, I've come to the realization that... it sounds like CocoRosie and I love it.
Posted by: Andrew | January 23, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Love it!!
I am one that also believes that Ms. Badu can do no wrong.
All of her albums are good in my opinion. I wish Mama's Gun wasn't slept on like it was.
WWU is a classic
Posted by: miss nee | January 23, 2008 at 01:56 PM
A new Erykah Badu song, and then a Meshell Ndegeocello shoutout in the comments... I feel like I've seen a unicorn.
you're my hero Andrew.
Posted by: jq | January 23, 2008 at 05:11 PM
hell yes
i was listening to didnt cha know when i saw this post...
this song makes me wanna turn off the lights, light some candles, and dance in my air heals
Posted by: jtalia | January 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
hell yes
i was listening to didnt cha know when i saw this post...
this song makes me wanna turn off the lights, light some candles, and dance in my air heels
Posted by: jtalia | January 23, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Rich, you heard Real Thing (Music is Everything), the single that leaked before Honey, right? It's pretty fuckin' sweet, too... I hope her new album really does drop in Feb, with two more allegedly coming this year.
Posted by: shank | January 24, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Love, love, love Erykah and this song! She is one of 2 artists whos albums I will buy unheard.
Posted by: BayBB | January 24, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Wowwww!! I've enjoyed some Erykah before but never like this. ADORE IT! BTW - love the Female Trouble banner :) Favorite movie ever!
Posted by: John B | January 24, 2008 at 09:04 AM
erykah badu is siamese if you please, erykah badu is siamese if you don't please.
Posted by: gillian | January 24, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Badu is mos def back, and The Soul Scientifics class is back in session, chillies.
And to all those facsimiles who have been trying take the throne these past fourfour years, pencils down bytches - this WAS a test!!
Posted by: Banjiboi | January 24, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Badu is mos def back, and The Soul Scientifics class is back in session, chillies.
And to all those facsimiles who have been trying take the throne these past fourfour years, pencils down bytches - this WAS a test!!
Posted by: Banjiboi | January 24, 2008 at 05:49 PM
di'int mean to post 2wice.
Posted by: Banjiboi | January 24, 2008 at 05:50 PM
RICH, I LOVE YOU!
I mean, I can come here and get ANTM recaps, documentary film reviews AND Erykah Badu?
Maaaaannnnnn, shut the f*** up!!
You are my brother from another mother.
You see, I am a straight E. Badu junkie. Love, love, LOVE her.
This is a song that she has performed live over the last year or so. Love it. Can't WAIT for the new album - and, of course, her next tour.
Posted by: Monica C. | January 24, 2008 at 07:48 PM