 Born Erykah Wright in 1972, Erykah Badu introduced herself to the music world with a name chosen in tribute to jazz scat singers of an era gone by.
The Dallas native dabbled in dance and drama at a school of the arts before finding a niche as a teacher and part-time singer. After hitting the road with a number of rap and R & B acts, Erykah Badu was finally discovered by producer Kenneth Massenburg while opening for R & B artist D'Angelo.
Massenburg, known for his work with Vertical Hold and Freestyle Fellowship, signed her to his Kedar records and produced her 1997 debut album Baduizm, which features the hip hop group the Roots and jazz bassist Ron Carter on several tracks.
Despite the all-star line-up, Badu is credited with writing all but one of the 12 tracks on the album, placing her a creative step ahead of many of her R & B contemporaries. Hailed both critically and commercially, Baduizm reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts soon after its release. "On & On," the album's first single, hit No. 12 on the charts and was translated into an artistically directed narrative video that found itself in heavy rotation on MTV.
Badu has been hailed for her genre-bending blend of hip hop, acid jazz and soul, as well as for a voice that recalls the seductive swing and intricate phrasing of Billie Holiday. Baduizm's bass-heavy grooves and soulful styling crowned Badu one of the hip hop elite, putting her on the bill with Wu-Tang Clan and a landing her a prime spot on the '97 Smokin' Grooves Tour.
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