Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu's debut album, released when she was just twenty-five. This album marked the dawning of an era of what could be called "conscious R&B" -- or, as it is now known, Neo-Soul. Hip-hop and soul influences mix freely, all tethered together by Badu's somewhat skinny, corrugated vocals that drew comparisons to Billie Holiday. Tracks include "On & On" and "Apple Tree."

Perhaps the first thing you notice about Erykah Badu is her uncanny vocal similarity to Billie
Holiday – from the very beginning of Baduizm, Badu's debut, the boho chanteuse's timbre
and inflections recall Lady Day. By the end of the album, however, it's clear that Badu is
from the Diana Ross school of Billie Holiday imitation: Like Ross in her portrayal of Holiday
in Lady Sings the Blues, Badu is mainly interested in just being herself. That indiv... More >