Has anyone found it interesting and unique of how Erykah's music has evolved over the years?

First, she stormed the music scene with the monster single that was On & On and the landmark release of Baduizm, which was both an exceptional and revolutionary record. It was something really different for not only the neo-soul generation, but soul and pop music. I mean, here's this woman who wore African attire (with the trademark hair wrap) singing personal, poetic, and cryptic songs on love, observation, and life. With this album, Badu brought hip-hop's beats to her neo-jazz soul. She also addressed much of the world's past and present issues, which was really interesting. Even with the release of the Live album, she not only sang the killer cuts from the Baduizm record, but she performed covers of "Searching", "All Night Long", and "Stay", which displayed her musical influences and diverse love for music also.

Then, she came back really strong, a couple of years later, with the release of Mama's Gun, which really moved so many folks (including myself). I mean, everything that was done on that album was a classic example of how real music from the heart, soul, and mind should be delivered. It was her most effective and strongest record because of the topics she brought up such as self-esteem, relationship breakdowns, and police brutality. It also had an eclectic, organic, and orginal sound, reflecting how far she wanted to go with her music. Never before did people really hear her true emotions and personality. And if you couldn't feel the guilt, hurt, and pain of the epic, 'Green Eyes', then you didn't really have love for yourself nor Miss Badu. When I first heard this song in 2002, I cried like a baby. I could really connect to what she was talking about throughout the whole song. It was like she was talking to me and shared the same pain I had at that time. I think all 14 joints on that album just made me realize that Badu wasn't this by-the-number neo-soul singer. This record alone solidified her status as a true artist. Mama's Gun represented a woman who was unmasked and able to express her emotion and feelings through song. That was her true masterpiece!

Three years later, she released the brave follow-up entitled, Worldwide Underground and that time she grooved more than speaking. Still, nearly everything on that so-called EP rang true. Even though the production was more electronic and jam-based, Erykah still was able to go against the grain and do something conceptually different.

Now in 2008, she delivers New AmErykah: Part One and she has once again proves that she is a powerful force in music today. This time around, it's deeper and darker, than anything she has done and the grooves are undeniably addictive. She speaks loudly on the world and her life in a very brilliant way. It rocks your boots off. I think that with this whole series, in parts one and two, she pushs her artistry to a whole new plateau and stunningly dones something new. That's the thing I love about our analog girl in a digital world.

purplecam said:

(The CD finally was in Canada's stores as of yesterday)


I am travelling with the vibes..

Musical noodling at its worst. Don't see the big hype outside of the album cover about this album. The songwriting is horrid.

silverchild said:

Evolved into what though? The new album needed better production, and some direction. The vocals on this album, blah. Worldwideunderground was bullshit. LOL

Alamine said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I haven’t noticed the timing on the songs yet but I’m almost positive the 42 laws is a reference to the 42 Laws of Ma’at – the Egyptian Goddess of truth, balance and justice. She is usually depicted a scale with a feather on one side and a heart in the other. If your heart outweighs the feather you have done wrong in your life. The laws are the divine principles to live by but of course some have been tweaked to suit modern understanding and times. Some consider several of them to be the foundation for the Ten Commandments.

On Twinkle I think the guy speaking in ancient Kemet says something about Ma’at but not sure.

Alamine said:

The finance background in me won't allow me 2 go over 100% agreement with U, but in this case, I agree with U 1,000,000%

I have only listened once, (in headphones, but I didn't get to the last two songs) so it wouldn't be fair to try to give a real review of this record, but it's so different I had to make a comment.

I was listening, thinking, these aren't really even songs, they're sounds. But each track is something I've never heard before. There were moments that reminded me of Radiohead, in brilliance and annoyance

One second I was inspired, and the next I was thinking "this absolutely sucks."

I felt at times like it was beautiful for an artist to get so deep into making cool noises like this, and how do they create such new sounds with such confidence? And I wondered, does this album contain an actual melody? And has Erikyah smoked even more weed than I did in my 20's?

I think maybe she has--for better or worse? I don't know yet.
[Edited 3/6/08 10:30am]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

oh i get what she's doing and all that...don't know much about zodiac and all that stuff, but...its just that i thought her experimentation was perfectly balanced on mama's gun and even moreso on worldwide underground. on this record, at times it comes off like she's more interested in experimenting rather than making music. see, i think the experimenting should happen in the lab (or the studio, in the case of music) and the finished product should be an experiment that showcases music rather than a music that showcases an experiment.

this belief, of course, has outliers such as bitches brew and a love supreme, lol!

Alamine said:

Im guessing The Rainbow Children was too much for you 2 ha?

Copycat said:

Release competition was going on during this time around.
[Edited 3/6/08 19:24pm]

I am honestly surprised that the reaction to New Amerykah was mainly, estatically positive on these boards.

I know a lot of Erykah fans who just don't like it. My initial reaction was very negative. But, I listened a few more times and found some cuts that I really like, but overall I just can't get into the album as a whole. The first four songs drive me nuts. The album is competent, but I just don't agree with the claims that it is in anyway breaking new ground or revolutionary.

Anyway, one of the best things in life is music you love, so I don't want to piss all over those of you who enjoy the album. I'm happy that you have new music that you enjoy. Wish I did too.

unkemptpueblo said:

The proof is in the pudding.

unkemptpueblo said:

Lord Have Mercy. You ain't right.

paisleypark4 said:

PP4, please tell me that u are NOT comparing this dribble 2 The Rainbow Children.....

coltrane3 said:

Co-sign.

Graycap23 said:

Yeah, let's not insult Erykah like that.

AlexdeParis said:

Now that is the funniest thing I've read here in weeks. Thanks 4 that laugh.

Graycap23 said:

I nearly spewed my cornflakes!

Some people don't have a clue about great musicianship.

Empress said:

U got that right. Just take a look at the Billborad Top 5,000.

Graycap23 said:

Oh, I hear you! People going gaga over Janet and Erykah. I just don't get it, but I guess we all have moments of weakness. I'm lovin the new Lenny Kravitz cd

Empress said:

I have not checked out Lenny yet. I've been busy listening 2 my own work. Maybe I'll peep Lenny this weekend.

Graycap23 said:

Glad I could help.

Graycap23 said:

Well, it's far from groundbreaking, but if you're a fan you should like it and it's also much better than his last cd.

Empress said:

Sign 'O' The Times is great musicianship; The Rainbow Children is pretentious and largely boring.

Corn Flakes? Some people don't have a clue about great cereal.

AlexdeParis said:

As opposed 2 Amerykah? Wow.....I'm speechless.

Graycap23 said:

I put this CD in my everyday playlist and moved on . . . for about 2 days!

I had to go back to listening to this thing on repeat. Me, Soldier, The Cell, That Hump, Telephone, Honey . . . I like how I feel listening to this!!

AlexdeParis said:

I must agree with you about SOTT!! It's my favorite Prince cd and I consider it a masterpiece. As for TRC - the lyrics are awful on some songs, but the music is amazing and shows his real genius! Very sophisticated and his guitar work is awesome.

llf553 said:

That's what I keep going back to. I still don't really love any song, exactly, but it makes me feel more creative just to listen to it. At times a song like Twinkle might feel like an experiment than a masterpiece, but it doesn't sound like the same ol' thing.

I was just talking about how there feels like there's nothing new in music. This is new. It reminds me of MIles' ON the Corner, which might not be as rich or have as many classics as Kind Of Blue, but I love how it creates a sound I've never heard before.

Well I just compared the album to Miles Davis, I guess that's a compliment