The Evolution of Erykah Badu

This week's #BMJ soundtrack feature: the Queen of Neo-Soul.

The Genesis - Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Feb. 26, 1971, and she's since helped to usher in a new era of music — where hip hop, R&B, jazz and soul intertwine — earning her the title of Queen of Neosoul.(Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

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The Genesis - Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Feb. 26, 1971, and she's since helped to usher in a new era of music — where hip hop, R&B, jazz and soul intertwine — earning her the title of Queen of Neosoul.(Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Lady of Soul - No other female singer stood a chance against Badu's anthem “Tyrone,” which earned her two 1998 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year and Best R&B/Soul Single. The hit was featured on her 1997 Live album.  (Photo: David McNew/REUTERS /Landov)

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Unlocking the Chains - At a young age, Erica decided to change the spelling of her name to "Erykah" because she considered her original to be a slave name. "Kah" means "the inner self," while "Badu" means "truth and light" in Arabic.(Photo: David McNew/REUTERS /Landov)

Straight Spittin' - Already a performer since age 4, Badu began honing her emcee skills as a teenager. Word is she came up freestyling at local radio stations in Dallas.(Photo: Karl Walter/Getty Images)

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Straight Spittin' - Already a performer since age 4, Badu began honing her emcee skills as a teenager. Word is she came up freestyling at local radio stations in Dallas.(Photo: Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Out the Gate - Badu released her debut album, Baduizm, on Feb. 11, 1997. Featuring singles like "On & On," "Next Lifetime" and "The Other Side of the Game," the CD sold three million copies domestically.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

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Out the Gate - Badu released her debut album, Baduizm, on Feb. 11, 1997. Featuring singles like "On & On," "Next Lifetime" and "The Other Side of the Game," the CD sold three million copies domestically.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

All the Way Live - Nine months after her debut hit stores, Badu released Live, a concert album featuring songs from Baduizm and a new hit, "Tyrone" (which is oft-referenced, see R. Kelly's "When a Woman's Fed Up," for example).(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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All the Way Live - Nine months after her debut hit stores, Badu released Live, a concert album featuring songs from Baduizm and a new hit, "Tyrone" (which is oft-referenced, see R. Kelly's "When a Woman's Fed Up," for example).(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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All Wrapped Up - The Dallas-born beauty became a household name after her 1997 hit “On and On,” and her signature head wrap became just as noteworthy. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

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The Mystique - With Erykah mania in full bloom, Badu fans became obsessed with her trademark head wrap. Most speculated that the singer wore dreadlocks under her wrap, and while we may never know, she's been setting trends ever since.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

Stars Align - First hinting at their relationship in Badu's "Next Lifetime" and "The Other Side of the Game" videos, Badu and André 3000 of OutKast gave birth to their child — her first — in 1997. The Badoula now has three younguns.(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Stars Align - First hinting at their relationship in Badu's "Next Lifetime" and "The Other Side of the Game" videos, Badu and André 3000 of OutKast gave birth to their child — her first — in 1997. The Badoula now has three younguns.(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Wild and Free - If you’re on the fence about rocking a voluminous, picked-out Afro, we’re pretty sure Erykah will help tip the scale in favor. She’s absolutely breathtaking in this look, especially when paired with a bold, berry lip. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

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Neo Queen - With two multiplatinum albums under her belt, Badu became the poster child for the neo-soul movement, a sub-genre pushed by then Universal executive Kedar Massenburg. In addition to "Queen of Neo-Soul," Badu is sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul."(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

On Top - She’s definitely mastered the art of accessorizing her wild ‘dos, such as pairing chunky twists with an over-the-top top hat. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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New Horizons - As an actress, Badu has starred in The Cider House Rules with Tobey Maguire, Blues Brothers 2000 with Dan Aykroyd and House of D alongside Robin Williams. And though no acting was involved, she snagged a performance in hip hop favorite Dave Chappelle's Block Party.(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

She's Shooting - Taking a five-year break to once again switch her sound up in 2008, Badu explored her political side with her fourth album, New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. Though the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, “Honey” was the only single released. She stepped behind the camera again to win an MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction for her video "Honey." (Photo: Mario Anzuoni /Landov/REUTERS)

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Timeless - No sophomore jinx here. Badu arguably topped Baduizm with the release of Mama's Gun, an LP widely regarded as her best to date. Featuring singles like "Bag Lady" and "Didn't Cha Know?" the project has sold more than one million copies.(Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni /Landov)

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The Bald and the Beautiful - With her striking facial features and flawless complexion, the beautifully bald Erykah proves she doesn’t need hair to make a statement. (Photo: Laura Farr/Newsmakers)

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Shocker - Putting an end to speculation, Badu shed her trademark headgear to reveal a bald head in the "Didn't Cha Know?" video, solidifying her place as a bold style icon.(Photo: Laura Farr/Newsmakers)

Common and Erykah Badu - When a politically-conscious rapper and a neo-soul queen get together, they're bound to make beautiful music. That's exactly what this couple did on their ode to hip hop, "Love of My Life." Sadly, they broke up in 2002 after two years of dating, and according to Common, it didn't end well. "She called me and was like, 'Hey, I don't want to be in this relationship no more. I be liking somebody else,'" the rapper recalls. Surely, a breakup like that inspired some sad love songs.  (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

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Grammy Winner - In 2003, Badu won her fourth Grammy, this time for "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)," featuring Common. She's been nominated for more than a dozen Grammys throughout her career.(Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

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Underground - Badu released Worldwide Underground on Sept. 16, 2003. The LP went gold without a single video, limited radio play and little to no promotion.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Control Freaq - In 2005, Badu founded Control Freaq Records. Not a typical label, the imprint allowed its artists, like Jay Electronica, to use Badu's brand as a platform to grow artistically without physical contracts.(Photo: Erika Goldring/Retna Ltd.)

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Control Freaq - In 2005, Badu founded Control Freaq Records. Not a typical label, the imprint allowed its artists, like Jay Electronica, to use Badu's brand as a platform to grow artistically without physical contracts.(Photo: Erika Goldring/Retna Ltd.)

New Amerykahs - Badu released New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) on Feb. 26, 2008, featuring "Honey" and New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) on March 30, 2010, featuring "Window Seat." The video for that second single caused a stir due to its violence and nudity, and Badu was charged with a class C misdemeanor for all that butt-naked truth.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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New Amerykahs - Badu released New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) on Feb. 26, 2008, featuring "Honey" and New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) on March 30, 2010, featuring "Window Seat." The video for that second single caused a stir due to its violence and nudity, and Badu was charged with a class C misdemeanor for all that butt-naked truth.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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The Vibe Just Got Better - Erykah Badu showed up to perform the chorus on "Don't Kill My Vibe," much to the audiences delight. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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Badoula - Even though she hasn't dropped an album in five years, Badu, a certified doula in real life, continues to help birth the music that keeps this legacy going. She's teamed up with Janelle Monáe for her hit "Q.U.E.E.N." and surprised everyone when she accompanied Kendrick Lamar for his "Don't Kill My Vibe" performance at the 2013 BET Awards. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

Next Lifetime - Badu was picked as the face of Givenchy for the fashion house's Spring 2014 collection. And, she announced, she's recording new material (like this street hustle here).(Photo: Givenchy)

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Next Lifetime - Badu was picked as the face of Givenchy for the fashion house's Spring 2014 collection. And, she announced, she's recording new material (like this street hustle here).(Photo: Givenchy)

Photo By Photo: Givenchy