Oh what a day when Erykah Badu is able to pound the pavement in New York City and pull out $3.60.

The Dallas-reared multiple award-winning vocalist (she won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for her hit single "On & On," from her debut album, Baduizm, for example) went nearly unrecognized as she belted out some of her signature runs and a freestyle about needing cash in what she calls a "street hustle experiment."

"I haven't sold a record in a long time," she melodically confesses to passersby.

Many ignored her soulful pleas, but there were at least some kind strangers. "... Look over there! There's a lady going in her purse!" she exclaims, sounding like Sunday morning gospel. The woman wound up dropping some guap in Badu's hat.

Thankfully, Badu captured the entire busking session on camera. "I just kinda always wanted to see what it would be like to sing for money on the streets," she says in the self-directed video, the premiere release from e.badu iphone film.

Of course, the singer's short doc also comes with a message. "In reality life is a lot harder than this," she scrawls across the screen as she's seen counting her coins.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Johns PKI / Splash News)