Erykah Badu
Biography
Erica Abi Wright, professionally known as Erykah Badu, is an American recording artist, record producer, and actress born on February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas. Her musical work incorporates elements of R&B, hip hop, and jazz, and she is widely recognized for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, earning titles such as the First Lady of Neo-Soul and the Queen of Neo-Soul. Early in her career, she was noted for wearing very large and colorful headwraps, and her musical sensibilities have drawn comparisons to jazz great Billie Holiday. Badu was a core member of the Soulquarians and has appeared in a number of films as an actress.
Career overview
Erykah Badu is an American recording artist, record producer, and actress born on February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas. Her musical work incorporates elements from R&B, hip hop, and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, as well as her eccentric and cerebral musical stylings and sense of fashion. Early in her career, she was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful headwraps, and her musical sensibilities have frequently drawn comparisons to jazz great Billie Holiday. She earned recognition as the First Lady of Neo-Soul or the Queen of Neo-Soul and was a core member of the Soulquarians.
In addition to her music career, Badu is an actress who has appeared in a number of films. Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, she has accumulated 47 known credits in acting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (2025) as Self
- The Piano Lesson (2024) as Lucille
- Thom Browne: The Man Who Tailors Dreams (2024) as self
- Hargrove (2022) as Self
- Hargrove (2022) Producer
- RM 'Indigo' Album Magazine Film (2022) as Self
- The DOC (2022)
- Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 (2021) as Self
- VERZUZ (2020) as Self
- What Men Want (2019) as Sister
- Devil's Pie: D'Angelo (2019) as Self
- The Land (2016) as Turquoise
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Hand of God (2014) as April
- Bonobo: The North Borders Tour, Live (2014) as Self
- What Difference Does It Make? (2014) as Self
- They Die by Dawn (2013) as Stagecoach Mary
- Erykah Badu - Live At Java Jazz Festival (2012)
- The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011) as Self (voice)
- VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul (2011) as Self
- Teenage Paparazzo (2010) as Self (uncredited)
- Erykah Badu Live at VH1 Soul Stage 2008 (2008)
- Yo Gabba Gabba! (2007)
- Before the Music Dies (2006) as Self - Musician
- Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005) as Self
- Life O' The Party: On the Road with Prince and the New Power Generation (2005) as Self
- House of D (2004) as Lady / Bernadette
- Chappelle's Show (2003)
- Let's Start a Band: A Dragon Tales Music Special (2003)
- MTV 20: Jams (2001)
- Erykah Badu: Live At North Sea Jazz Festival 2001 (2001) as self
- Girlfriends (2000) as Self
- Erykah Badu Live (2000) as Self
- The Cider House Rules (1999) as Rose Rose
- Mark Twain Prize (1999) as Self - Musical Guest
- One Love: The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute (1999) as Self - Perfomer
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) as Queen Moussette
- Men in Black (1997) Songs
- The Chris Rock Show (1997) as Self
- Erykah Badu: MTV Unplugged (1997) as Self
- New York Undercover (1994)
- All That (1994) as Self - Musical Guest
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- MTV Unplugged (1989) as Self
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Dave Chappelle's Block Party 2 as Self