NDRU said:

On a related note, after all this time I finally am enjoying New Amerykah Part I

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

I think Erykah has done vey well for herself. She's been pretty successful and has a loyal fanbase. I don't think she's particularly underrated to be honest.

Cinnamon234 said:

I think Erykah has done vey well for herself. She's been pretty successful and has a loyal fanbase. I don't think she's particularly underrated to be honest.

yes, especially considering that she releases music like the album described just above. We are lucky that an album like New Amerykah gets released at all.

Self-important psychobabble and publicity stunts from recent years don't distract from her inconsistent (at best) output.

With that in mind, she's carved out a great niche for herself. Her talent is undeniable.

Wham2011 said:

cuz she ugly

No, ^^that's^^ ugly. You can do better, friend.

badujunkie said:

NDRU said:

On a related note, after all this time I finally am enjoying New Amerykah Part I

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

as a huge fan of mama's gun, I listened to N.A. Part I (and WWU, to a lesser extent) and wondered where the songs were. The music was interesting, but the songwriting seemed a little lacking.

But I am a fan of both albums now. The songs are, as Prince once described, experiences, except hers actually are experiences, and The Most Beautiful Girl in the World is "just" a song.

The songs are complete and each goofy sample or musical arrangement has a perfectly complementary vocal part. Erykah might be stoned out of her mind, but she seems absorbed by her art. I might not agree with all that she says, either, but I appreciate that she is turned on at all, when so many other "artists" are just following the money--they master the art of capturing mass attention without mastering much else; Erykah actually cares about her music.

Wham2011 said:

cuz she ugly

And she will fuck you up 17 sideways to Sunday

[Edited 1/24/11 22:04pm]

KoolEaze said:

Wham2011 said:

cuz she ugly

That´s your opinion but I find her quite sexy in this picture, and I usually don´t find her that sexy, really.

Thanks for the pic.

PS: Calling people "ugly" is a bit harsh, IMO.

In this instance, it's born of pure jealousy

badujunkie said:

NDRU said:

On a related note, after all this time I finally am enjoying New Amerykah Part I

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

paisleypark4 said:

badujunkie said:

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

Yeah, I didn't struggle with it either. Part 2 suffers from the lack of editing, but had they come out back to back it would have been such an amazing contrast.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

paisleypark4 said:

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

Yeah, I didn't struggle with it either. Part 2 suffers from the lack of editing, but had they come out back to back it would have been such an amazing contrast.

explain??

do we believe that she hasn't puffed the magic dragon in years, as she claims?

paisleypark4 said:

badujunkie said:

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

Best Badu album from the jump IMO!

badujunkie said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Yeah, I didn't struggle with it either. Part 2 suffers from the lack of editing, but had they come out back to back it would have been such an amazing contrast.

explain??

It wanders in many places. It could have been super tight without some of the endless music loops and would have opened up for more creativity. It would be interesting to see her produced by non-hip hoppers yet going for that hip-hop R&B edge.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

paisleypark4 said:

badujunkie said:

It takes a minute, huh?

I must say I was so disappointed as it was her first release since the album that made me a fan (WWU) and 5 year wait - at that - but in time, it has become a favorite, possibly even tying or unearthing Mama's Gun as my all time favorite (badu or otherwise) album...the grooves just fly over your head the first 500 spins but now...dayum...those first 4 especially --- AP into the Healer into Me into My People then bam- the message tune of the album - SOLIDER! - then the next three tracks are so bizarrely funky and spacey until we land to one of her funkiest masterpieces ever THAT HUMP. then we sit through a long ballad but the pay off is honey. LOVES IT!

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

Yeah, I think it's her best, too. I like Mama's Gun a lot, but the material on NA Pt.1 is creative and interesting musically and in its production, plus I liked the social commentary in the lyrics. I know some people found it hard to get into, but, for me, tracks like 'The Cell', 'Soldier', 'Master Teacher', 'That Hump', etc, are the best she's ever done. The whole thing coheres well as an album, too, where I always felt Mama's Gun was a bit sprawling and patchy.

I've been listening to NA Pt.2 a lot recently, as it didn't really gel with me when I first got it (because I hoped for something more like the first one, probably). It feels like there's been an effort to 'rein it in' a bit and make something a little less avant-garde, so as not to alienate her more RnB/hip hop fanbase. That said, I reckon it's a solid album, and most of the material is really strong. I like the production, as it feels like the 'creative end' of hip hop, but I'll admit that some of the material ('Love', in particular) drags and doesn't really go anywhere. (And don't get me started on that interminable final track that just drones on and on through it's various 'movements' in search of the spark of a decent idea....)

Hell, I don't know why she ever became as big a star as she already was.

vainandy said:

Hell, I don't know why she ever became as big a star as she already was.

for someone who likes funk you're a trip

paisleypark4 said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

It wanders in many places. It could have been super tight without some of the endless music loops and would have opened up for more creativity. It would be interesting to see her produced by non-hip hoppers yet going for that hip-hop R&B edge.

I have to agree, NA II did show a lot of wandering, hence Umm Hmm which isn't bad, Love and..being the highest offender..it just doesn't buld change or go anywhere. I thought Window Seat did that a bit too...like it still was unfinished...seems like there should have been a third verse, or a bridge or something...however the song is still awesome. I did appreciate her revamp of You Can't Turn Me Away, Jump In The Air is haunting and funky, and 20 Feet Tall were coo.

I could say the same thing same about the first album. It seemed like there were no actual songs on it, just weird music. But I've grown to like it. I still don't have NAII though, because I have only begun to appreciate the first one.

NDRU said:

paisleypark4 said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I have to agree, NA II did show a lot of wandering, hence Umm Hmm which isn't bad, Love and..being the highest offender..it just doesn't buld change or go anywhere. I thought Window Seat did that a bit too...like it still was unfinished...seems like there should have been a third verse, or a bridge or something...however the song is still awesome. I did appreciate her revamp of You Can't Turn Me Away, Jump In The Air is haunting and funky, and 20 Feet Tall were coo.

I could say the same thing same about the first album. It seemed like there were no actual songs on it, just weird music. But I've grown to like it. I still don't have NAII though, because I have only begun to appreciate the first one.

paisleypark4 said:

NDRU said:

I could say the same thing same about the first album. It seemed like there were no actual songs on it, just weird music. But I've grown to like it. I still don't have NAII though, because I have only begun to appreciate the first one.

I tried to like the first album...but it was too...commercial and bland....too hip hop influenced in parts. I dont know..sound close to a basic r&b 90's album...wasnt weird enough for me.

Oh, sorry, I meant the first New Amerykah album

I actually have never heard her first album.

[Edited 1/26/11 11:36am]

NDRU said:

paisleypark4 said:

I tried to like the first album...but it was too...commercial and bland....too hip hop influenced in parts. I dont know..sound close to a basic r&b 90's album...wasnt weird enough for me.

Oh, sorry, I meant the first New Amerykah album

I actually have never heard her first album.

I'm apparently the only person who likes Baduizm more than Mama's Gun and WWU, but I definitely do. "Certainly," "On and On," and "Next Lifetime" are still some of my favorites.

AlexdeParis said:

NDRU said:

Oh, sorry, I meant the first New Amerykah album

I actually have never heard her first album.

I'm apparently the only person who likes Baduizm more than Mama's Gun and WWU, but I definitely do. "Certainly," "On and On," and "Next Lifetime" are still some of my favorites.

I swear I don't hear the same album when folks say Baduizm is still her best. But that's the consensus sales-wise...hmmmmm......

You also like "Ray of Light" over "Erotica" tho:lol:

badujunkie said:

AlexdeParis said:

I'm apparently the only person who likes Baduizm more than Mama's Gun and WWU, but I definitely do. "Certainly," "On and On," and "Next Lifetime" are still some of my favorites.

I swear I don't hear the same album when folks say Baduizm is still her best. But that's the consensus sales-wise...hmmmmm......

Oh, I think the first New Amerykah is far and away her best. As for Baduizm, a lot of the individual songs stand out to me more than the album as a whole. I'll readily admit there is some nostalgia there as well, because that album dropped when I was a freshman in college. I don't have the same connection with the others.

You also like "Ray of Light" over "Erotica" tho:lol:

Hell yeah! ROL is a billion times better (at least). Comparing her best album with one of her worst? No contest.

deebee said:

paisleypark4 said:

I thought that album was ...her best in my opinion. From "Me", "The Cell" "THat Hump" "Master Teacher".....heaven

Yeah, I think it's her best, too. I like Mama's Gun a lot, but the material on NA Pt.1 is creative and interesting musically and in its production, plus I liked the social commentary in the lyrics. I know some people found it hard to get into, but, for me, tracks like 'The Cell', 'Soldier', 'Master Teacher', 'That Hump', etc, are the best she's ever done. The whole thing coheres well as an album, too, where I always felt Mama's Gun was a bit sprawling and patchy.

I've been listening to NA Pt.2 a lot recently, as it didn't really gel with me when I first got it (because I hoped for something more like the first one, probably). It feels like there's been an effort to 'rein it in' a bit and make something a little less avant-garde, so as not to alienate her more RnB/hip hop fanbase. That said, I reckon it's a solid album, and most of the material is really strong. I like the production, as it feels like the 'creative end' of hip hop, but I'll admit that some of the material ('Love', in particular) drags and doesn't really go anywhere. (And don't get me started on that interminable final track that just drones on and on through it's various 'movements' in search of the spark of a decent idea....)

Yeah it seems like she has started a trend of just putting demo like tracks on the albums...like "Wooh" "My people" and Love....just spacey cuts with no motive or melody...kinda annoying after awhile

paisleypark4 said:

deebee said:

Yeah, I think it's her best, too. I like Mama's Gun a lot, but the material on NA Pt.1 is creative and interesting musically and in its production, plus I liked the social commentary in the lyrics. I know some people found it hard to get into, but, for me, tracks like 'The Cell', 'Soldier', 'Master Teacher', 'That Hump', etc, are the best she's ever done. The whole thing coheres well as an album, too, where I always felt Mama's Gun was a bit sprawling and patchy.

I've been listening to NA Pt.2 a lot recently, as it didn't really gel with me when I first got it (because I hoped for something more like the first one, probably). It feels like there's been an effort to 'rein it in' a bit and make something a little less avant-garde, so as not to alienate her more RnB/hip hop fanbase. That said, I reckon it's a solid album, and most of the material is really strong. I like the production, as it feels like the 'creative end' of hip hop, but I'll admit that some of the material ('Love', in particular) drags and doesn't really go anywhere. (And don't get me started on that interminable final track that just drones on and on through it's various 'movements' in search of the spark of a decent idea....)

Yeah it seems like she has started a trend of just putting demo like tracks on the albums...like "Wooh" "My people" and Love....just spacey cuts with no motive or melody...kinda annoying after awhile

3 of my faves...moreso just grooves with no message and all texture/mood/haziness...love it! i think that's what she does so well. creates an ambiance and just lets it hang there. that's why her shit has infinite replay value IMO