Results for "Erykah Badu"

Erykah Badu

Born: February 26, 1971

Erykah Badu, born Erica Abi Wright in 1971 in Dallas, Texas, is an American singer-songwriter who has become known as the "Queen of Neo-Soul" for her pioneering contributions to the genre.

Raised in a musical family, Badu's artistic talents were evident from a young age. She began singing in her church choir as a child and later attended Grambling State University on a theater scholarship. It was during this time that she adopted the stage name "Erykah Badu," which she has explained reflects her desire to be "free" from constraints.

Badu's breakthrough came in 1997 with the release of her debut album, "Baduizm." The album was an immediate critical and commercial success, earning Badu a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Featuring hits like "On & On" and "Next Lifetime," the album's fusion of soul, jazz, and hip-hop established Badu as a singular voice in contemporary R&B.

Rebekka Salomea: German's Jazz Award's 2026 Artist of the Year

by Ieva Pakalniškytė
April 28, 2026

Held annually on April in Bremen, Germany, jazzahead! marked its 20th edition this year and remains one of the most important gatherings in the global jazz industry--a trade fair, conference, and festival that brings together musicians, promoters, labels, journalists, and cultural professionals from around the world. It serves as a key platform for networking, showcasing new ...

Record Store Day 2026 Jazz Releases

by Kyle Simpler
April 3, 2026

Many vinyl enthusiasts get excited when the Record Store Day lists appear, and understandably so: most of the titles are limited-run pressings that can disappear quickly once the doors open. The only drawback, however, is that the lists can be overwhelming to sort through, often spanning multiple pages and covering releases across a wide range of ...

Dominique Fils-Aimé: Jazz as Freedom, Healing, and Connection

by Steven Roby
September 5, 2025

Montreal vocalist--composer Dominique Fils-Aimé discusses music as essential as breath--something vital, grounding, and shared. In conversation, a few recurring themes emerge: freedom as the driving force of jazz, healing as the restorative power of music on the body, and connection--among people, across generations, and through history--as the quiet foundation that allows songs to travel. These ideas ...

Takuya Kuroda: Everyday

by Konstantin N. Rega
March 16, 2025

Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda continues to find his groove and expressive essence on Everyday. Through his inspired amalgamation of jazz, funk, hip-hop and neo-soul, this release exhibits an ability to think beyond the boring and basic, to see what lies ahead. These nine energized but balanced compositions are further heightened by various talented musicians including ...

Richard Baratta, Hiromi, Caili O'Doherty, Artemis, Sheila Jordan Plus Remembering Claire Daly

by Mary Foster Conklin
March 10, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Richard Baratta, Eric Comstock + Barbara Fasano, Caili O'Doherty, Artemis and Sheila Jordan, plus a single from Hiromi with birthday shoutouts to Claire Daly, Sara Gazarek, Erykah Badu, Patti Wicks, Roseanna Vitro and Gentiane MG. Happy listening--please support the artists you hear. See them live, purchase their music so they ...

Moving Music: The Memoirs Of Rikki Stein

by Chris May
May 11, 2024

Moving Music: The Memoirs Of Rikki Stein Rikki Stein 304 Pages ISBN: 9781739103095 Wordville Press2024 The autobiography of Rikki Stein--longtime friend and manager of Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, and a key player in the historic meeting between Ornette Coleman and the Master Musicians of Joujouka, among much, much ...

Jose James Makes Music For 'Party And Politics'

by Leo Sidran
April 10, 2024

Singer Jose James has been a consistent and insistent musical presence ever since he released his first album, The Dreamer in 2008 on British dj Gilles Peterson's newly formed Brownswood Recordings label. Since then he's made a dozen albums, recorded for iconic record labels like Impulse! and Blue Note, and eventually formed his own label Rainbow ...

Roy Ayers: A Retrospective

by Jason Elias
November 20, 2023

Vibraphonist, singer and producer Roy Ayers is a master of many musical styles and genres, from acid-jazz, jazz-funk to romantic ballads and dance tracks. While many of his contemporaries seemed to fail when they tried different sounds, Ayers always made sure a certain of musicality and identity was apparent in all of his work.

A Sonic Compass: A Journey Through Prince's N·E·W·S

by Giulia Bianchi
November 2, 2023

It is indisputable that musician, composer, singer, actor, and producer Prince Rogers Nelson has been one of the most prolific and committed musical artists of all time. With an enduring career spanning over five decades, the virtuoso mastered a plethora of instruments, perpetually exploring and trailblazing new creative horizons. His music is steeped in a timeless ...