News
New AmErykah, Classic Badu: A Preview of "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)"
Held in Chelsea’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors art gallery, Erykah Badu, Sylvia Rhone and the Universal Records family put on an album listening event that could only be described as exquisite – to the utmost definition of the word. An event that definitely lacked the typical crowd, anticipation for Badu’s 5th studio album packed the 4th floor gallery with one of the most eclectic mixes of music, art and listeners one could imagine. Fans piled into the venue and were greeted by the fresh aroma of incense, the visual stimuli of Alex Grey’s art, “baller ass food platters” and, most importantly, the soulful thump of Erykah Badu’s music and all that has influenced her and her new project, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).
Erykah Badu’s career stretches more than 10 years. She’s won 4 Grammys, sold over 10 million records and is often referred to as a new-age Billie Holiday. Along with artists like ?uestlove and The Roots, Common, J Dilla, Talib Kweli and Mos Def (to name a very small few), Badu has come to be known as an artist who always pushes every envelope within reach – be it Hip Hop, Soul, Social Consciousness and Activism or ”just” music. She’s been at the forefront of Neo-Soul music since her debut album, Baduizm, and has developed a cult following like no other. Erykah Badu and her life’s work are a gift to all music fans.
Watch New Amerykah's lead video, "Honey"
An evening and album that were introduced with a “the world needs to change” mentality, there could not have been a better venue than the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. The exhibition, which displays the “most outstanding and widely appreciated works” of Alex Grey, is described as a collection of “devotional portrayals of the universal human journey from birth to death with healing, love and enlightenment.” The gallery is a “unique pilgrimage place for contemplation and spiritual renewal” and was the perfect setting for the reemergence of one of the most introspective artists of our time and her tool for healing: Music.
The crowd ranged from Brooklyn hipsters to a virtual U.N. of Hip Hop fans and, regardless of any surface differences, clearly had a few very, very important things in common: loving Erykah Badu, her music and what the two have come to represent. It’s truly amazing when something as “simple” as music can bring so many different people together. Even more amazing is when an artist realizes that their “product” has such influence, yet he or she remains so grounded, never deterring from the honestly of true “self” or sacrificing values for mainstream appeal. Even if you’re not a fan of Ms. Badu’s music, you certainly must respect the level of integrity she has maintained over the extent of her career. If you haven’t noticed, Integrity is a quality that we, as music fans, should not be taking for granted in the artists we support.
The album, which features emotion-infused beats produced by Badu, 9th Wonder and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, is an instrumentally-driven journey through Erykah's psyche, emotions and passions – everything that fans have come to expect from and love about the anti-diva. Some may say New Amerykah lacks lyrical content, others be blown away by Badu’s unspoken language and her uncanny, unduplicated ability to communicate her emotions, thoughts and feelings in a manner that speaks without words. Badu elaborated during the hour-plus, post-listening Q&A session, “New Amerykah is my perspective on what’s going on in the world since I’ve seen you last (2003’s Worldwide Underground). New Amerykah is right here; it’s where I’m at right now.”
For her music, her passions, her beliefs or her actions, Badu has found the self-truth that most can only aspire to achieve. In her effervescent self-assuredness, Erykah offers no apologies, “This is who I am – this is how they made me,” she said with an angelic smile. Instead, she gives only a “how to” lesson to follow the same path, “Be brave, don’t allow others to infiltrate you,” she proclaimed. In her bravery, Badu regularly allows listeners an introspective, safety-fleeing glimpse into who she is, how she’s grown, her fears and aspirations. “Every single song that I write has ME in it,” she surrendered. Erykah Badu, New Amerykah and everything she’s created have certainly come to fulfill one of her hopes – they have come together to create one of the greatest “stories of encouragement” that one could ever be fortunate enough to “hear”.
In “typical” (for lack of a better term) Erykah Badu fashion, tonight’s exclusive listening session for Erykah’s upcoming album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was sophisticated and simple. To the untrained eyes and ears, stepping into an album listening in an art gallery (which also had special artwork, specific to the tracks on New Amerykah) could cause a sensory overload. However, Ms. Badu, the definition of “artist”, kept it clear: the artistic centerpiece of the evening – and a purpose for her being – was, is and always will be music.
The Beat Goes On…
More On: Erykah Badu
Watch: Erykah Badu Videos
More Pop News
The Rolling Stones 40th Anniversary Box Set - Now ...
- Delicious |
- Digg |
- StumbleUpon |
- Reddit |
- Facebook |
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack) From ABKCO ...
- Delicious |
- Digg |
- StumbleUpon |
- Reddit |
- Facebook |
Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Jesse McCartney to ...
- Delicious |
- Digg |
- StumbleUpon |
- Reddit |
- Facebook |
Video Spotlight
News
