New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)

Last updated
New Amerykah Part Two
(Return of the Ankh)
Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part Two.jpg
Studio album by
Erykah Badu
ReleasedMarch 30, 2010 (2010-03-30)
Studio Electric Lady, New York
Genre
Length50:35
Label Universal Motown
Producer
Erykah Badu chronology
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
(2008)		New Amerykah Part Two
(Return of the Ankh)
(2010)		 But You Caint Use My Phone
(2015)
Singles from New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
  1. "Window Seat"
    Released: February 5, 2010
  2. "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)"
    Released: March 24, 2010
  3. "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long"
    Released: February 2011

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Erykah Badu, first released on March 30, 2010, through Universal Motown. Collaborating with several hip hop producers over the Internet, Badu conceived 75 songs set to be split over three albums with New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008) being the first. The album was recorded primarily at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

Contents

Contrasting its socially themed and complex predecessor, New Amerykah Part Two contains a prominently groove-based, analog sound. The album incorporates sampling and live instrumentation, while its more personal lyrics focus on themes of romance and relationships. The production for the album was handled by several of Badu's previous collaborators, including J Dilla, Questlove, James Poyser, Madlib, 9th Wonder, Sa-Ra, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Karriem Riggins, along with appearances from Lil Wayne, Bilal, and harpist Kirsten Agresta.

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) received widespread critical acclaim from critics, who commended its soulful sound and loose structure, and viewed it as more accessible than that of its predecessor. The album was ranked as one of the best albums of 2010 and the decade by several publications. It debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week. As of 2011, it has sold around 300,000 copies in United States. The album produced three singles, "Window Seat", "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)", and "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long".

Writing and recording

In 2004, Badu received her first computer as a Christmas gift from drummer and producer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, and began communicating with and receiving music from him and other producers such as Q-Tip and J Dilla. [1] Beginning in 2005, [2] Badu worked from her home in Dallas and used the software application GarageBand as a digital audio workstation, [3] which she was introduced to by her son, [1] Seven. He taught her how to use her laptop as a mini recording studio, [4] and she used it to construct various backing tracks for songs. [5] Using GarageBand, she recorded demos of her vocals by singing into the computer's microphone. [3] [6]

A portion of the album was recorded at the Electric Lady Studios. Electric Lady Studios 2013.jpg
A portion of the album was recorded at the Electric Lady Studios.

She composed more than 75 songs within the year and intended on splitting them among her planned series of New Amerykah albums. [1] She said of her productivity with her laptop, "I could be here, in my own space, with headphones on, and the kids could be doing what they doing, and I’m cooking dinner still, I’m making juices still, and it’s so easy just to sing. You got an idea — boom! Idea, boom!" [1] Badu's iChat contacts, [2] including hip hop producers Questlove, [7] Madlib, 9th Wonder, and J Dilla, instant messaged her to get back into the studio and sent her tracks. [4] Such exchanges inspired a creative spark for Badu, which she explained in an interview for the Dallas Observer , "I started to accept that maybe it's OK for me to put out music, and it doesn't have to be something dynamic or world-changing. But just as I was accepting that, here comes this burst of light and energy and creativity. And that's the process, I guess, of life—the detachment and the release of something gives you even more room to grow or be creative." [7]

A portion of the album was recorded at New York City's Electric Lady Studios. [8] She told Rolling Stone that she recorded her vocals for the song "Window Seat" in her shower, stating "I wanted to sound like I was in a tunnel. I got my laptop and closed the door." [9] In an interview for Billboard , Badu explained that "we used a lot of analog instruments—harps, strings, drums, piano, and even a Theremin—to give the album that sonic feel. There's a strong undercurrent of bottom, a rumbling to these songs that feels good to me. It feels like a hug." [10]

Music and lyrics

In contrast to its predecessor New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008), which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) incorporates sampling and live instrumentation, while its more personal lyrics focus on themes of romance and relationships. [10] [11] "Return of the Ankh" was seen as a departure from the experimental work of New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) and a return to the musical style of Badu's earlier catalogue, particularly the jazz elements of Badu's debut, Baduizm (1997). [12] The album's style and production is characterized as being down-tempo, built around soul and jazz. [12] Badu has described its sound as "very analog". [13] According to Exclaim! critic Ryan B. Patrick, New Amerykah Part Two featured a "progressive fusion of 'Neo Soul' Badu with 'Seasoned and Savvy' Badu together at last". [14] " "Window Seat" was compared to the Badu's early work particularly "On & On" and "Otherside of the Game" from her debut album, "Window Seat" contains stomp-and-clap breakdowns built under halting lyrics. [11]

According to Badu, the album's closing track, "Out My Mind, Just in Time", is a three-movement song: "The first movement is called 'Recovering Undercover Over-lover.' It actually sums up the whole album, because I'm talking about love and emotion – 'I need you to do this,' 'I want you to do this,' 'You make me feel like this,' 'Why don't you feel like this?' It's typical of how you feel in relationships. The second movement is called ... 'Easier Said Than Done,' and it's about how hard it is to change after you've been in a relationship for so long. And then the third movement is called 'But Not This Time,' because even though I've done things a certain way for so long, I won't do that this time". [15] Andy Kellman of AllMusic described the song as being innocently as a piano ballad, before changing into a "psychedelic, slow-motion soul-jazz" song that sees Badu becoming "increasingly fragmentary and tripped-out" before being "renewed." [11]

Singles

The internet-only promotional single "Jump Up in the Air (Stay There)", featuring Lil Wayne and Bilal, was released on Badu's official website in January 2010. RC Williams, Badu's musical director, said that a music video for the track was shot in Dallas. [16] A censored "clean" version of the video was released on February 12, 2010 on Badu's official website. [17] It has been made available as a free, legal download by Giant Step, the marketing and promotion company for the album. [18]

The album's first official single, "Window Seat", was released by Badu through a downloadable link on her Twitter page. [19] The song peaked at number 16 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [20] The video for "Window Seat" was directed by Coodie Rock and premiered on Erykah's official site on March 27, 2010 at 3:33 AM EDT. In the video, Badu is seen walking the streets of Dallas near Dealey Plaza, slowly stripping to the nude, before being shot by an unseen assassin. [21]

The album's second single, "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)", was released March 24, 2010 by Badu as a free download online. [22] [23] It spent three weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 87. [20] On Wednesday, February 9, 2011, vimeo.com released a new video for "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" directed by Flying Lotus. The video was tweeted by Badu herself and friend and associated music act Questlove. [24]

Release and promotion

Erykah Badu performing at the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2012 Erykah Badu, Umbria Jazz 2012 (2).JPG
Erykah Badu performing at the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2012

The album was released March 30, 2010 on Universal Motown in the United States, [25] and two weeks later in Japan on April 14, 2010. [26] New Amerykah Part Two's cover art, titled "Out My Mind Just in Time", [27] shares the name of the album's closing track and was designed by visual artist Emek, who had also designed the artwork for New Amerykah Part One . [28] He explained on his website that he used song lyrics from the album as inspiration. [28] In an interview with Billboard , she explained the album's title, stating:

I called it 'Part II: The Return of the Ankh' because this album is the sister of the left side of my brain – it is the right side.'Part I was the left side of my thoughts – it was more socially political and my thought process was more analytical. This time there wasn't anything to be concerned with – the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of 'Baduizm' – this is just about beats and rhymes in a cipher. [10]

— Erykah Badu

In promotion of the album, Erykah Badu hosted a series of listening sessions for press and VIPs at Chung King Studios in New York City on December 9 and December 10, 2009. [29] During March 2010, Badu promoted the album through television performances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon , The Wendy Williams Show , Chelsea Lately , Jimmy Kimmel Live! , and Good Day New York . [30] She also appeared on the April issue cover of EQ magazine and was featured in the April issues of Nylon and Playboy , while she is also scheduled to appear in upcoming issues of several publications, including Rolling Stone , Entertainment Weekly , Time Out New York , Spin , Vibe , Paste , and People , among many other publications. [30] Badu performed at a surprise midnight show on March 31, 2010 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. [21]

The album's international supporting tour, "Out My Mind, Just in Time Tour", began its North American-leg on May 28, 2010, starting at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. and ended June 24, 2010 at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada. [31] Its European-leg began July 9, 2010 at Sweden's Hultsfred Festival and ended July 24 at Brixton Academy in London, England. [32] Badu was supported on the tour by N.E.R.D., Bilal, Janelle Monáe and The Roots-drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. [33] She also performed at the Lollapalooza festival and Lilith Fair during the 2010 summer, along with special guest appearances at Maxwell's concerts at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on June 11 and at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 26, 2010. [33]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week. [34] It also entered at number two on Billboard 's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [34] In its second week, the album fell to number nine on the Billboard 200, selling an additional 30,000 copies. [35] The album fell to number 20 and sold 19,000 copies in its third week. [36] As of 2011 it has sold around 300,000 copies in United States according to Nielsen SoundScan. [37] In the United Kingdom, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) debuted at number 56 on the UK Albums Chart and at number nine on the R&B Albums Chart. [38] [39] [40] New Amerykah Part Two achieved moderate chart success in international markets, peaking within the top-50 in several countries, including Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark. [38]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 7.4/10 [41]
Metacritic 83/100 [42]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The A.V. Club A− [43]
Entertainment Weekly A− [44]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [45]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [46]
NME 8/10 [47]
Pitchfork 8.0/10 [48]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [49]
Spin 8/10 [50]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [51]

New Amerykah Part Two received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 83, based on 25 reviews. [42] Most critics found its loose, soulful music inventive and more accessible than its predecessor. [52] AllMusic editor Andy Kellman said "the album is so rich with sample-reliant songs that it sometimes resembles a glorified mixtape". [11] The A.V. Club 's Michaelangelo Matos found the record "smoother than anything since her 1997 debut, Baduizm ". [43] Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine praised the record's "freeform" style and compared Badu's songwriting approach to that of Marvin Gaye, who "would usually feel out his melodies first and then come up with lyrics to fit into those lines. The result for both Gaye and Badu is R&B impressionism". [53] Pitchfork 's Mike Powell called the album "a coherent expression of a big, scattered personality" and praised Badu's expressive performance, writing that "her ability to toe the line between sounding effortless and sounding tossed-off is remarkable". [48] In The Guardian , Alexis Petridis argued that repeated listens revealed a number of gratifying eccentric musical and lyrical details. [45]

Some critics, however, found Badu's songwriting overly vague and deemed New Amerykah Part Two less adventurous than its predecessor. [52] Kellman said it was "more personal than planetary, less challenging sonically and lyrically". [11] In The New York Times , Jon Pareles felt the music's "atmosphere easily upstages the words", [54] while Rolling Stone magazine's Jody Rosen found its "hazy texture" and songwriting sketchy. [49] Kitty Empire from The Observer wrote that it "turns its skewed sights on love in both soppy and calculating fashion". [55] Robert Christgau gave it an "honorable mention" in his consumer guide for MSN Music , citing "Turn Me Away (Get Munny)" and "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" as highlights and writing "love may be a groove, but that doesn't make a groove a love song". [56]

At the end of 2010, New Amerykah Part Two was named one of the year's best albums in a number of critics' lists,[ citation needed ] including Pitchfork, who ranked it 18th,[ citation needed ] and later named it one of "The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far" in August 2014. [57] In the annual Pazz & Jop critics poll, it was voted 23rd best.[ citation needed ]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."20 Feet Tall" Erykah Badu, Patrick Douthit, Douglas Wimbish Badu, 9th Wonder, James Poyser 3:25
2."Window Seat"Badu, PoyserBadu, Poyser4:50
3."Agitation"Badu, Shafiq Husayn, David Sancious Badu, Husayn1:33
4."Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)"Badu, Roy Ayers, Sylvia Striplin, James Bedford, Jr.Badu5:26
5."Gone Baby, Don't Be Long"Badu, Husayn, Terrell "Ta'Raach" McMathis, Paul McCartney Ta'Raach, Badu4:39
6."Umm Hmm"Badu, Otis Jackson, Jr., Leon "Ndugu" Chancler Madlib, Badu3:45
7."Love"Badu, James Yancey, Ira Raibon J Dilla, Badu, Mike Chav6:02
8."You Loving Me (Session)"Badu, Waldo Benzworth, Jonathan Cantero, R.C. WilliamsBadu1:04
9."Fall in Love (Your Funeral)"Badu, Karriem Riggins, Garry Glenn, Eddie Kendricks Riggins6:06
10."Incense" (featuring Kirsten Agresta)Badu, Jackson, Jr.Madlib3:27
11."Out My Mind, Just in Time"Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, PoyserBadu, Muldrow10:21
Total length:50:35
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
12."Jump Up in the Air (Stay There)" (featuring Lil Wayne and Bilal)Badu, Dwayne Carter, Jr., Bilal Oliver Badu, R.C. Williams, Jahborn4:25
Japanese edition bonus track [58]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Telephone" (Remix)Badu, Poyser, Ahmir Thompson Badu, Poyser, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson 10:22
Total length:60:58

Personnel

Credits for New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) adapted from liner notes. [59]

#TitleNotes
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)

Recording engineers: Mike "Chav" Chavaria (tracks 3–6, 9–11), Chris Bell (2, 5, 8), Tom Soares (2), Shafiq Husayn (3), Brian Vibberts/Buck Snow (band on 4), Erykah Badu (7)
Mixing: Tom Soares, exc. track 7 mixed by Chris Bell
Executive production: Erykah Badu, Mike Chavaria
Design concept: Erykah Badu
Art direction/design: Erykah Badu, Kyledidthis
Illustrations: EMEK Studios (Emek & Gan)
Typography inspiration: Alfredo Gray
Project management and marketing: Paul Levatino (for Badu World), Xavier Jernigan (for Universal Motown)
A&R: Edward Richardson (Universal Motown)

1"20 Feet Tall"

Produced by Erykah Badu, 9th Wonder (original track), James Poyser ("acoustic interpolation")
Lyrics written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (vocals sung by), James Poyser (keyboards), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer)
Embodies portions of "My Darling Baby" by Wood Brass & Steel

2"Window Seat"

Produced by Erykah Badu and James Poyser
Song arrangement & Lyrics written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (vocals, handclaps, stomps), James Poyser (Rhodes and all pianos), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer, cajón, handclaps, stomps), Alfredo Gray (handclaps, stomps), Kirsten Agresta (harp), Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner (bass), Questlove (drums)

3"Agitation"

Produced by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra Creative Partners
Erykah Badu (all vocals), Mike Chavaria (additional programming)
Contains a sample of "Just as I Thought" by David Sancious

4"Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)"

Produced by Erykah Badu
Additional Lyrics written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (handclaps), Karriem Riggins (drums, handclaps), Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner (bass, handclaps), James Poyser (keyboards, handclaps), Tommy Trajlio (guitar, handclaps), Questlove (handclaps), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer, additional programming)
Contains an interpolation of "You Can't Turn Me Away" by Sylvia Striplin

5"Gone Baby, Don't Be Long"

Produced by Ta'Raach and Erykah Badu
Lyrics Written by Erykah Badu & Shafiq Husayn
Jeff Lee Johnson (guitar), Ta'Raach and Mike Chavaria (programming)
Contains a sample of "Arrow Through Me" by Paul McCartney and Wings

6"Umm Hmm"

Produced by Madlib and Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (lead & additional backing vocals, [60] cabasa, additional percussion), Madlib (programming), James Poyser (keyboards, additional programming), Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner (bass)
Contains a sample of "Take Some Time" by Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam Co.

7"Love"

Produced by J Dilla, Erykah Badu and Mike Chavaria
Arranged by Erykah Badu and Mike Chavaria
Intro created by Mike Chavaria
Lyrics Written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (vocals sung by), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer), Pilar Cote (intro voices)
Contains a portion of "Take Me" by Fabulous Souls

8"You Loving Me (Session)"

Produced by Erykah Badu
Lyrics written by Erykah Badu & Waldo D. Benzworth
Erykah Badu (vocals sung by), RC Williams (keyboards), Jah Born (MP2000 programming)

9"Fall in Love (Your Funeral)"

Produced by Karriem Riggins
Additional Lyrics written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (all vocals, all percussion), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer, additional programming)
Contains a sample of "Intimate Friends" by Eddie Kendricks

10"Incense"

Produced by Madlib
Arranged by Erykah Badu and Mike Chavaria
Kirsten Agresta (harp), Erykah Badu (vocals sung by), Mike Chavaria (synthesizer)

11"Out My Mind, Just in Time"

Part 1: Produced by Erykah Badu
Lyrics inspired by Suheir Muhammad's poem "What I Will"
Erykah Badu (all vocals), James Poyser (grand piano), Mike Chavaria (chopped & screwed editing)
Part 2 & 3: Produced by Erykah Badu and Georgia Anne Muldrow [61]
Lyrics written by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu (additional programming on part 2 only, vocals), Georgia Anne Muldrow (keyboards, bass, drums)

*"Jump Up in the Air (Stay There)"

Produced by Erykah Badu, RC Williams and Jahborn
Lil Wayne (rap), Bilal (vocals)
Contains an interpolation of "Hydraulic Pump" by The P-Funk All-Stars

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erykah Badu</span> American singer (born 1971)

Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.

<i>Baduizm</i> 1997 studio album by Erykah Badu

Baduizm is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Kedar Records and Universal Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, and recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal. Recording sessions for the album took place from January to October 1996 in New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

Neo soul is a genre of popular music. As a term, it was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe a style of music that emerged from soul and contemporary R&B. Heavily based in soul music, neo soul is distinguished by a less conventional sound than its contemporary R&B counterpart, with incorporated elements ranging from funk, jazz fusion, hip hop, and African music to pop, rock, and electronic music. It has been noted by music writers for its traditional R&B influences, conscious-driven lyrics, and strong female presence.

<i>Live</i> (Erykah Badu album) 1997 live album by Erykah Badu

Live is a live concert album by American singer Erykah Badu, released in 1997. Released in the fall of 1997, with her debut album Baduizm released earlier that year, Live quickly went double platinum with the radio hit "Tyrone".

<i>Mamas Gun</i> 2000 studio album by Erykah Badu

Mama's Gun is the second studio album by American singer Erykah Badu. It was recorded between 1999 and 2000 at Electric Lady Studios in New York and released on November 21, 2000, by Motown Records. A neo soul album, Mama's Gun incorporates elements of funk, soul, and jazz styles. It has confessional lyrics by Badu, which cover themes of insecurity, personal relationships, and social issues. The album has been viewed by critics as a female companion to neo soul artist D'Angelo's second album Voodoo (2000), which features a similar musical style and direction. Critics have also noted that while Badu's first album Baduizm contained its share of cryptic lyricism, Mama's Gun is much more direct in its approach, and places the artist in a subjective position more than its predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Got Me (The Roots song)</span> 1999 single by the Roots featuring Erykah Badu and Eve

"You Got Me" is a song by American hip hop band The Roots, featuring vocals from Erykah Badu and Eve, then known as Eve of Destruction, who raps the second verse but does not appear in the music video. The track was released as a single from the band's fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart (1999), in January 1999.

<i>Things Fall Apart</i> (album) 1999 studio album by the Roots

Things Fall Apart is the fourth studio album by American hip hop band the Roots, released on February 23, 1999, by MCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at Electric Lady Studios during 1997 to 1998, coinciding with recording for other projects of the Soulquarians collective, including D'Angelo's Voodoo (2000), Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun (2000), and Common's Like Water for Chocolate (2000). According to Spin magazine, the album became a landmark moment for the Roots and the collective, as it "swelled the Roots clique into a movement-style posse".

<i>Gurus Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul</i> 2000 studio album by Guru

Guru's Jazzmatazz: Streetsoul is the third solo studio album by American hip hop musician Guru. It was released on October 3, 2000, via Virgin Records as the third installment of Guru's Jazzmatazz album series. Production was handled by Gang Starr, The Neptunes, Agallah, DJ Scratch, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, The Roots and Victor Flowers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Window Seat (song)</span> 2010 single by Erykah Badu

"Window Seat" is a song by Erykah Badu. It is the lead single from her album New Amerykah Part Two (2010). It was produced by Badu and James Poyser. The song is low-tempo ballad with lyrics that concern escapism and longing for a lover. The music video for "Window Seat" features Badu walking the streets around Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, slowly stripping to the nude, before being shot by an unseen assassin. Badu's public nudity, guerrilla filming, and the video's allusions to the assassination of John F. Kennedy were met with controversy among fans and critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Light (Common song)</span> 2000 single by Common

"The Light" is the Grammy-nominated second single from Common's 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate. It was produced by Jay Dee and features keyboards performed by James Poyser. It samples "Open Your Eyes" as performed by Bobby Caldwell and the drums from "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" by The Detroit Emeralds. Framed as a love letter, it is a confession of Common's love for a woman – specifically, his girlfriend at the time, Erykah Badu. Cynthia Fuchs of PopMatters describes it as a "charming, tender, and undeniably soulful declaration of affection and respect." The music video features Common, Erykah Badu and "recognizable sensual delights" including "a homemade Minnie Riperton cassette, a mango, a pink lava lamp [and] a deeply green water-beaded leaf."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erykah Badu discography</span>

American singer Erykah Badu has released five studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, one mixtape, 31 singles, three promotional singles and 20 music videos. Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in her hometown; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Records. Her debut album, Baduizm, was released on February 11, 1997. It spawned three singles: "On & On", "Next Lifetime", and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Badu's first live album, Live, was released on November 18, 1997, and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

<i>New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)</i> 2008 studio album by Erykah Badu

New Amerykah Part One is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Erykah Badu. It was released on February 26, 2008, by Universal Motown following Badu's hiatus from recording music due to writer's block. In returning from the hiatus, she received music from several hip hop producers over the Internet and recorded demos of her vocals using the GarageBand software on her laptop. Most of the album was then recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey (Erykah Badu song)</span> 2007 single by Erykah Badu

"Honey" is a song by Erykah Badu, released on December 11, 2007, as the lead single from her 2008 album New Amerykah Part One . The song was produced by 9th Wonder and samples singer Nancy Wilson's 1978 song "I'm in Love".

The Out My Mind, Just in Time Tour was a concert tour by American R&B/soul singer, Erykah Badu, in support of her album, New Amerykah Part Two . Before the initial kick off of the tour in May, Badu performed concerts in the following cities, on February 19, in Oakland, March 30, Los Angeles and April 8, 2010, in Miami at the Waterfront Theatre.

The Jam Tour was a summer and fall concert tour in 2009 by American R&B singer Erykah Badu. The tour started on May 24 in Los Angeles, Badu played dates across North America twice and Europe, which ended in Dallas, Texas on October 16. During the North America second leg, Badu was featured as a special guest co-headliner on hip-hop artist Mos Def's Ecstatic Tour on select September dates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Gul</span> 1999 single by Erykah Badu featuring Rahzel

"Southern Gul" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu. It features beatboxer and rapper Rahzel, a former member of The Roots, who also co-wrote and produced the song. The song was released as the lead single from Rahzel's debut studio album Make the Music 2000 (1999) on July 26, 1999, by Motown Records.

"Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)" is a song by R&B singer Erykah Badu, also the second single from her album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). It was produced by Badu and Karriem Riggins, and is a semi-remake of the song "You Can't Turn Me Away", by Sylvia Striplin. The song also contains lyrics from "Get Money", as performed by Junior Mafia and The Notorious B.I.G.

This discography of D'Angelo documents the release of studio albums, live recordings, compilation albums, and other songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otherside of the Game</span> 1997 single by Erykah Badu

"Otherside of the Game" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for her debut studio album Baduizm (1997). It was written by Badu, Questlove, James Poyser and Richard Nichols. The song effectively showcases Badu's debt to jazz aside from neo soul. It is a ballad with lyrics describing the story of a conflicted woman in a troubled relationship. She is expecting a baby with her husband, so she feels she must stand by him despite his apparently illegal activities. MCA Records released the song as the third single from Baduizm in Japan on September 22, 1997.

<i>But You Caint Use My Phone</i> 2015 mixtape by Erykah Badu

But You Caint Use My Phone is a mixtape by American singer Erykah Badu. It was released on November 27, 2015, by Motown and Control Freaq. Following the release of New Amerykah Part Two (2010), Badu embarked on a five-year hiatus, during which she traveled to Africa in an attempt to record new music, though this never surfaced. After receiving a remix of "Bag Lady" from producer Zach Witness, Badu contacted him in order to record with him. Shortly thereafter, the pair met again and went to Witness's home in Dallas, Texas, and worked in his bedroom studio, where they recorded the mixtape in 11 days. The mixtape features appearances from rapper ItsRoutine and André 3000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ryzik, Melena (March 2, 2008). "The Mind of a One-Woman Multitude". The New York Times . Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  2. 1 2 McDonnell, Evelyn (May 2008). "Erykah Badu: Getting Spiritualized with Neo-Soul's Boho Big Mama". Interview . Interview: 33–34. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Warren, Tamara (June 1, 2008). "Erykah Badu". Venus Zine . Venus Holdings. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Taylor, Patrick (March 18, 2008). "Erykah Badu :: New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) :: Universal Motown". RapReviews. Flash Web Design Exclusive. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  5. ↑ Frere-Jones, Sasha (March 31, 2008). "Monarch". The New Yorker . Condé Nast. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  6. ↑ Fallen, Mildred (March 2008). "Beat Freaq Badu". Shook . Vol. 1, no. 2. UPG. p. 22. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  7. 1 2 Wilonsky, Robert (February 21, 2008). "Erykah Badu Has Returned". Dallas Observer . Village Voice Media . Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  8. ↑ Ganz, Caryn. Erykah Badu on Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, and Being a Twitter Goddess. New York . Retrieved on 2010-03-30.
  9. ↑ Staff. Spring Music Preview 2010. Rolling Stone . Retrieved on 2010-04-05.
  10. 1 2 3 Mariel Concepcion (December 10, 2009). "Erykah Badu Unveils 'New Amerykah, Part II'". Billboard . Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kellman, Andy. "New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh – Erykah Badu". AllMusic . Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  12. 1 2 Chick, Stevie. Review: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). BBC Online. Retrieved on 2010-03-30.
  13. ↑ Matos, Michaelangelo. Erykah Badu: Soul Diva Scales Back. Paste . Retrieved on 2010-03-28.
  14. ↑ Patrick, Ryan B. (March 27, 2010). "Erykah Badu New Amerykah: Part 2: Return of the Ankh". Exclaim! . Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  15. ↑ Hauk, Hunter. Erykah Badu talks 'New Amerykah Part Two'. QuickDFW. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  16. ↑ Sarah Crisman (January 13, 2010). "Grammy-nominee RC Williams influences music industry at large, calls Dallas home". Pegasus News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  17. ↑ Official Erykah Badu Website Archived 2010-02-09 at the Wayback Machine . ErykahBadu.com. Archived on 2010-03-27.
  18. ↑ Nero, Mark Edward. Erykah Badu Says "Jump Up in the Air (Stay There)". About.com. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  19. ↑ fatbellybella. Twitter. Retrieved on 2010-03-27.
  20. 1 2 Chart History: Erykah Badu - R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-03-27.
  21. 1 2 Kennedy, Gerrick D. Live review: Erykah Badu's surprise midnight show at the El Rey. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  22. ↑ Columnist. New Music: Erykah Badu ~ 'Turn Me Away' [ permanent dead link ]. American Idolizing. Retrieved on 2010-04-25.
  23. ↑ Columnist. Erykah Badu Offers New Single As Free Download. RTTNews. Retrieved on 2010-04-25.
  24. ↑ Like (9 February 2011). "Erykah Badu - Gone Baby, Don't be Long on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  25. ↑ Pete Freedman (January 20, 2010). "Erykah Badu Formally Announces New Amerykah, Pt. II Details". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  26. ↑ Product Page: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). CDJapan. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  27. ↑ Staff. Are You Feeling This Get Up?. Bossip. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  28. 1 2 Speeakz. Visual Artist Emek Talks About The Process Behind Erykah Badu’s New Album Artwork. Pinboard. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  29. ↑ ERYKAH BADU TO RELEASE NEW AMERYKAH, PART II: RETURN OF THE ANKH IN FEBRUARY 2010. Hip Hop Press. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  30. 1 2 Press release. ERYKAH BADU’s New Album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH, in Stores Today Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine . Business Wire. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  31. ↑ Press release. Erykah Badu Reschedules 2010 Out My Mind, Just in Time U.S. Tour Dates. Universal Motown Records. Retrieved on 2010-05-10.
  32. ↑ Erykah Badu :: Out My Mind, Just in Time Tour 2010 AD. www.erykahbadu.com. Retrieved on 2010-05-10.
  33. 1 2 Concepcion, Mariel. Erykah Badu Announces Tour. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-04-20.
  34. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith. Usher Scores Third Straight No. 1 On Billboard 200. Billboard . Retrieved on 2010-04-07.
  35. ↑ Jacobs, Allen. Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/11/2010 Archived 2010-04-17 at the Wayback Machine . HipHopDX. Retrieved on 2010-04-14.
  36. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. Justin Bieber Rules Billboard Charts For Third Week. MTV. Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  37. ↑ "Data". marathonpacks.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. 1 2 Album Performance: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). acharts. Retrieved on 2010-04-10.
  39. ↑ UK Top 40 RnB Albums (4 April 2010). BBC Online. Archived [usurped] on 2010-04-10.
  40. ↑ "R&B: Top 50 - For the Week Ending 4 April 2010". Jam!. Archived [usurped] on 2010-04-10.
  41. ↑ "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) by Erykah Badu reviews". AnyDecentMusic? . Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  42. 1 2 "Reviews for New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh by Erykah Badu". Metacritic . Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  43. 1 2 Matos, Michaelangelo (March 30, 2010). "Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh". The A.V. Club . Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  44. ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (March 24, 2010). "New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  45. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (April 1, 2010). "Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh (Universal)". The Guardian . Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  46. ↑ Gill, Andy (March 26, 2010). "Album: Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of The Ankh (Island)". The Independent . Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  47. ↑ Nicholson, Rebecca (April 9, 2010). "Album Review: Erykah Badu – 'New Amerykah, Part II: Return Of The Ankh' (Universal)". NME . London. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  48. 1 2 Powell, Mike (April 6, 2010). "Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  49. 1 2 Rosen, Jody (March 30, 2010). "Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  50. ↑ Fennessey, Sean (March 30, 2010). "Erykah Badu, 'New AmErykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh' (Universal Motown)". Spin . Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  51. ↑ Jones, Steve (April 2, 2010). "Listen Up: 'Raymond' verdict finds Usher guilty of mediocrity". USA Today . Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  52. 1 2 Dietz, Jason. "March’s Best New Music". Metacritic: March 31, 2010. Archived on 2010-04-01.
  53. ↑ Henderson, Eric. Review: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-03-28.
  54. ↑ Pareles, Jon. Review: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). The New York Times . Retrieved on 2010-03-28.
  55. ↑ Empire, Kitty. Review: New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). The Observer . Retrieved on 2010-03-29.
  56. ↑ Christgau, Robert (July 2010). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music . Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  57. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far (2010-2014)". Pitchfork .
  58. ↑ "ニュー・アメリカ パート・ツー(リターン・オブ・ザ・アンク) [CD]" (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  59. ↑ Track listing and credits as per liner notes for New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) album
  60. ↑ "Random Samples". Sign of the Times. 4 August 2012. https://signothetimesblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/random-samples/
  61. ↑ Keith Murphy (December 10, 2009). "Sneak Peek: Erykah Badu's New Amerykah, Part II (Return of the Ankh)". Vibe . Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  62. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  65. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  68. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  69. ↑ "ニュー・アメリカ パート・ツー(リターン・オブ・ザ・アンク)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  70. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  71. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  72. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  73. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of The Ankh)". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  74. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  75. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  76. ↑ "Erykah Badu Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  77. ↑ "Erykah Badu Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  78. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  79. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.