Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright, born on 26 February 1971 and known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and actress. Influenced by R&B, soul and hip-hop, Badu came to prominence in the late 1990s with her debut studio album, Baduizm (1997), which placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" from music critics.

Her career began after she opened for a D'Angelo concert in 1994 in Fort Worth, which led label executive Kedar Massenburg to sign her to Kedar Entertainment. Baduizm, released on 11 February 1997, produced four singles: "On & On", "Appletree", "Next Lifetime" and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. Her first live album, Live, was released in November 1997, contained her signature song "Tyrone" and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Badu's second studio album, Mama's Gun, was released in 2000, with three singles including "Bag Lady", her first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Worldwide Underground (2003) generated three singles, including "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", her second track to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. New Amerykah Part One was released in 2008, followed by New Amerykah Part Two in 2010. Badu's voice has been compared to that of jazz singer Billie Holiday. She has also played supporting roles in films such as Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D.