In the late 1990s, Erykah Badu came into the mainstream as an eccentric, incense-burning artist. Still, it was her sophomore album, “Mama’s Gun,” that she truly came of age with revolutionary music. The 5-time Grammy winner has continued that pace throughout five albums in total, but Badu’s politically conscious songs like “A.D. 2000” and “woke” anthem “Master Teacher” are everlasting.

In homage to Ms. Badu, who turns 54 on February 26, we examine six of her most free-spoken songs.

“Penitentiary Philosophy”

“Penitentiary Philosophy,” the opening of Badu’s 2000 album, “Mama’s Gun,” soars in like a bullet. The singer rages against outside evils and societal conformity on the psych-rock soul tune. 

“A.D. 2000”

In dedication to Guinean migrant Amadou Diallo, who the NYPD unjustly murdered in February 1999, Badu penned an emotional ballad, “A.D. 2000,” where she sings of how much “this world done changed.”

“The Cell”

With a bass contribution by Thundercat, the 2008 “New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)” song “The Cell” was both current and predictive for its lyrics on heightened impoverishment, drug abuse and vaccinations.

“Twinkle”

Badu sang the “ghetto” blues on education inequity, illness, and hopelessness in marginalized communities on her boom-bap-influenced cut “Twinkle.”

“Master Teacher”

In collaboration with Georgia Anne Muldrow, Badu pushed “wokeness” on the funky “New Amerykah” track “Master Teacher” long before it became a buzzword.

“Window Seat”

While the song wasn’t necessarily political on its own, Badu’s controversial nude performance art in the “Window Seat” music video represented the scrutiny of self-liberation and repercussions of groupthink.