Posted on Feb 21, 2008 by Natasha
YBF Early Review: Erykah Badu’s New AmErykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War
The YBF was on the scene for Erykah Badu’s exclusive listening session for her new album New AmErykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. It went down last night at NY’s earthy and energetic Chamber of Mirrors. YBF NY Correspondent Tichanda hit up the event and for a review…
Erykah’s 4th World War is a funkadelic, journey through the world as Erykah sees it, lives it, and wishes it to be. She speaks her truth on the album whether describing the loss of her friend J Dilla on “Telephone”, uncovering the layers of herself and revealing the place she is in on “Me”, or calling out to the brothas and sisters on “Soldier” to wake up. There are french horns, flutes, drums, and synthesizers galore. One track even sounds as if it’s played backwards; it was like she is subliminaly trying to tell us something. While the music played we watched a film of sped up and slowed down images that looked like millions of people going up escalators in Grand Central NY, or like assembly lines for Twinkies, hot dogs, cars, and just about anything else you can imagine. It’s like she is taking a stand against mass marketed media crazed packaging and confirming to societal ideas. She wants something fresh and new. She is ready for change.
There are songs where the bass reverberates strong and deep. Badu’s voice was layered in almost like an afterthought. But don’t be fooled. Take a peek at the liner notes and the lyrics and whatever you didn’t understand will quickly make sense and speak volumes to Badu’s ability to take simple words to create an assault on your senses. I swear one track had me feeling like if I’d ever thought about smoking weed for the first time - this would be my theme music! Low and behold at the end of the song she was talking about an addict and the need for a “vaccine” to cure the feins of the world. Erykah is no joke.
Posters of Erykah’s notes and lyrics while she wrote the album
On other songs, like “Telephone”, “Master Teachers”, and “That Hump” - her voice is clear, like dripping sugar over tracks, reminiscent of a new age Baduizm. You quickly know the words and will be singing along by the time the song ends. Of course the ethereal side of Erykah was revealed during a Q&A session after the listening session. She mentioned that the album is released on her birthday, Feb 26th, which also happens to be Saviors’ Day. The listening party was held during the last lunar eclipse until 2010-of course she wanted to take advantage of the energy and timing. She actually went to the roof of the building to watch before coming down to start the listening party.
She also told a poignant story of J Dilla’smemorial service in which 2 heart clouds appeared in the sky. She said that his mother recounted a story of J Dilla’s painful battle with Lupus, which would subsequently take his life. She remembered that on bad days, he would become incoherent and would have conversations with people that he said were in the room with him. She said she would always ask who he was talking to, and he would say ODB, as in Old Dirty Bastard. He told her that ODB would call him on the phone and would tell him that when he crossed over to “take the white bus, not the red bus”. ODB told Dilla that the red bus would be enticing and look like a good thing, but to wait on the white bus, and it would bring him to heaven.
After hearing that story, Erykah wrote “Telephone” which features Quest Love. It’s a beautiful song and one of two that got claps in the audience after being played. The other is “Soldier” - which is scheduled to be her next single.
This album may not be as commercially successful as her earlier works, but that’s okay - she recorded over 50 songs just using her computer after her son showed her how to use Garageband on a new laptop. So she has another album (Part Two) which is going to be released in July. Also, one new track will be released every month on the 26th until the end of the year.
Badu has a LOT going on and she remarked that she finally made the music she’s been wanting to make all her life. And it shows.
More pics from the event:
Y’all know Erykah had to rock something Erykahish.
Peep this exclusive video of her speaking about her inspirations for this album and answering questions from the audience:
New AmErykah drops February 26th on shelves near you. {Shouts out to Joelle of Dr. Miracles for looking out.}
| | Categories: Reviews, YBF Exclusives
47 Comment(s)
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
first
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
And second
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Dang I thought I would make FIRST!!!!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Erykah is so different but so cool at the same time. Glad she’s dropping another album.
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
the heads are waiting with breath that is baited. do it ms badu.
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
a new song every month!? damn why can’t other artists do this. Or just make music that they feel and isn’t company dictated. Love her even more for putting out music that she put herself into and did herself.
shoot after Other Side of the Game no one could touch her. freaking love that song!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
i am going to get that! can’t wait. love her.
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I like her, she is really on point, she seems to care more about her music and putting out good stuff than alot of artists out now do.
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
i hope its better than her last album. i didnt get it. at all.
LOVE me someErykah tho!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Chick looks like a Black Andy Warhol… This project of hers begs the question. Is Erykah’s artistry genuine or another gimmic she has made up to differentiate herself as an artist?
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
LOL!!! SHE LOOK LIKE MY DRUNK AUNTIE “MAY BELLE” THAT I ONLY SEE AT X-MAS!!!! LMMFAO!!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
finally, an album i’m lookin’ forward to…
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
finally…some REAL music on the scene!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I dont care what anyone thinks of Erykah, Erykah the ISH! and she’s HOTT! so if your gonna hate do it somewhere else
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
She was acting all crazy on 106 today.
Lol
I love her outfit though!!
Obama 08′
Hillary is getting on my nerves :/
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I cant wait til the album drops it has been so anticipated i cant wait!:-)
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Her album leak and she chanting and s*** I love it!!I will support!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
And “Me” is that riders music!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
*WHOOPING ESTATICALLY* I LOVE ERYKAH!! CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS CD!!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I can’t wait!!!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Erykah can never do wrong in my eyes! Will support and buy her album Tuesday! She makes nothing but creative, classic music!
On Feb 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
u gotta luv erykah. i can’t wait to see her live again…
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
for those who aren’t dialed in, the ‘gimmick’ of dropping an new song every 26th of the month is so badu, and if other artists thought their marketing thru, they’d be on top of it themselves..
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
cannot wait for the album to hit the stores
am not buying it on-line either..
i want the hard copy… i want to hold it in my hands..
one track a month…
yes, she’s so in tune with her fine lunar womanly self..
it’s not just a marketing gimmick…it’s instinct…
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Thank you very much!
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Recall when Erykah and Common were dating?
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She is so talented! Which can be a hindrance because such people are constantly striving for perfection.
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Agree! Erykah and my fashion styles are so different but I love her style! She is cool.
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Love Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and a few others now but the sadly departed Nina Simone, Barry White, Marvin Gaye along with Lauryn Hill and Badu are just special to me.
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
LOVE HER!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Yes, she makes nothing but creative, classic music!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I absolutely love Erykah. She can’t do any wrong in my eyes either. She keeps it funky and is always unique—unlike most artists out today. Can’t wait ’til the 26th!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
That’s a sad story about J Dilla, I love her style and will buy her new ish did like i bought all her others…
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I meant just like i did her other ish…my mind’s bad today
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
tichanda…great review!!!!!!!
i love me some badu.
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Can’t wait for Ms. Badu to drop her next album. I will definitely be buying this one! She is really good at what she does, she is positive and NOT a conformist. Has anyone ever seen her live? If not, please do.
Peace.
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
im confused.
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
THE RED AND WHITE BUS…GOT IT! LOL I’LL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT….I’VE ALWAYS HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT FOLKS WITH MENTAL ISSUES…ARE ALWAYS ON A DIFFERENT PLANE AND THAT IT’S KIND OF A BLESSING FROM GOD IN A WAY, WHO KNOWS MAYBE HE REALLY WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE…LUPUS, ALTHOUGH NOT A MENTAL DISORDER, IS A TERRIBLE DISEASE, IT JUST EATS AWAY AT YOU LITTLE BY LITTLE…I CAN’T WAIT TO GET THIS ALBUM, WHERE ARE THE BOOTLEGGERS WHEN YOU NEED THEM!! I NEED TO BE LISTENING TO THIS TODAY!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
LOVE, LOVE Ms. Badu…I saw her live in concert in Richmond, last year and she was so bad!! The girl can sang!!!! I was not disappointed! Her energy just grabs you! I can’t wait for 2/26/08…gonna cop the cd as I have all her other cds!!!! I like how she told them to be quiet while she’s talking…gotta love her!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM AT LEAST SHES BACK LOL
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Loves me some EBadu!!….might have to flush the yayo..yayo, yayo!!!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
What happened to the vid?
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’ve been rocking the cd and I likes.
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’m with you Delis, finally an album I can buy. I haven’t bought an album in such a long time, well since Jilly, Kanye and Angie. I can’t wait! Go Ms E!
On Feb 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
YEAH!!!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED. THE 26TH JUST WON’T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH! LOL! I HAVE LOVED THIS CHICK FROM THE BEGINNING. I DRESSES UP AS MS. BADU FOR HALLOWEEN ONE YEAR. ALL THE OTHER KIDS THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. I WAS SO YOUNG BUT HER MUSIC JUST REACHED OUT TO ME IN A WAY THAT I HAD NEVER IMAGINED. SHE LET ME KNOW THAT IS WAS OK TO BE DIFFERENT AND NOT WHAT YOU ARE TOLD YOU SHOULD BE! FOR THAT I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT ERYKAH! REAL MUSIC LIVES ON FOREVER!
On Feb 24, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Erykah is too cool! People may hate but at least she’s real. She’s not one of those cleverly crafted barbies that wear pretty dresses and make up and sing nonsensical pop songs written by someone else (Hey Rihanna!) :X
She really cares about the music. Keep doing what you do Erykah!
On Feb 26, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I love her and I love the album,
she’s amazing and for the people that “don’t get it” its because its more than JUST music…
listen, it may take years to catch things but’s she deep, spiritual and most of all, a realist.
On Feb 27, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Sooooooooooooooooooo is the CD any good?? lol
On Mar 2, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Calling from the Uk.
Bought Badu’s album yesterday and I have to say it’s GREAT. The fact she can make music like this in these days and times is just share genius. The message along with the artwork is spot on for all those who who know what time it is. If people say this albums weak it’s because they don’t read enough or understand the real struggle. With black music in such a state and world polotics so messed up it is important to have music that will guide the thoughts of the people that need it most US. Buy the album and listen to well and let’s have some real good music that will stand the test of time just like the music of old.
Peace
On Mar 8, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Her song has the power to awake my soul.But sometimes i think she is a lonely girl,in her rocks,i can feel it.
so it’s not surprise to me to find her account in seekingwealthy.com
she has a nice blog in it.where she said someting we don’t know.
she really need true friends and love.
On Mar 19, 2008 | Reply | Quote
OMG!! I love me some Badu!! I was so happy when I heard she had a new album coming out! I songs 1-7 cause those are the only ones I have had time to really listen to, and so far “Me” is my absolute favorite. And yeah, she is mad crazy, and some of her songs….most of her songs are as crazy as her, but I am a little crazy too, so maybe thats why I love me some BADu!