By: Maxine Smith

Online Article – May 2008

Erica Abi Wright bka Erykah Badu is ever maturing as a musical matriarch. She is the essence of neo-soul music and its movement. Her newest offering New Amerykah: Part One (4th World Order) is a continuation of her efforts to expand her talents and strengthen the hearts and minds of her listeners. But, wait…

Before we delve into New Amerykah, lets take look back at her former offerings. In February of 1997, Badu wooed and impressed her fans with her prolific debut release of Baduizm, the CD that toted her debut single “On & On.” Later that same year, she provided quite a treat with Live, which introduced us to “Tyrone.” In November of 2000, Badu loaded our hearts with a hearty supply of intellectual ammunition through Mama’s Gun, where “Bag Lady” opened everyone’s eyes. With our eyes still wide open, we were further inspired by her September 2003 release of Worldwide Underground, where “Back in the Day” had us reminiscing in more ways than one.

Fast forward to February 26, 2008 (the same day as her birthday) and you’re warmly invited in to New Amerykah. Badu’s current project is the reflection of her digging deep within her artistic heart and soul and within our history - the past, the present and the future - to churn out inspiration in the form of a song. In the beginning on “The Promise” she declares, “Promise to you baby/I’ll love you tooth for tooth and eye for eye/Promise to you baby/I‘ll love you true and good till the day I die.” From that point and throughout the CD she takes us into her classroom and sets out the lesson plan.

“The Healer” provides a soulful, inspirational vibe that only Badu can express. She pours out all of her emotions, desires and beliefs through a lyrical reflection of her past, present and future life and experiences on the track entitled “Me”; she boldly announces “Everything around you see/the Ankhs the wraps the plus degrees/and yes even the mystery…it’s all me….”

One of the most inspirational tracks include “Soldier,” which is truly relative to all of us - from the reference to the war (To my folks in Iraqi fields/this ain‘t not time to kill) to the devastation delivered by Hurricane Katrina (I got love for my folks/Baptized when the Levy broke/we gone keep marchin on….YES SIR-REE). As we digress for a moment….EMEK and Gan from EMEK Studios did an unbelievable job on the illustrations because the CD sleeve art is a story in itself; from the drawing of Uncle Sam holding a 4-shooter to the drawing of a mother robot helping her robot-son to plant, water and nurture a growing plant - music that is. But back to the lesson….New Amerykah is just an intellectual, uplifting continuation of what Badu started back in 1997 with Baduizm. Her focal point always was and always will be to uplift and educate the minds of the people; not just for herself but for future generations ahead. With songs like “Twinkle” and “Master Teacher,” we are reminded that there are still parts of history that we are not aware of or parts that some of us unfortunately try to forget. Badu does an excellent job of reminding us of what our ancestors fought, bled and died for - but, the blood is still pouring. New Amerykah should give some of us a running start and others inspiration to take the initiative to read and research about the history of our people - to finally open our eyes.

But wait… It doesn’t end here my people, look out for New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh…due sometime in the summer of 2008; the first second single will be “Honey.” So “on your marks, get set, go!!!!!!”

Maxine Smith has is a writer, poet that currently resides in Nashville, TN.