#TBT: Erykah Badu's Early Classics

Miss Erykah Badu has nestled her way back into the minds of everybody recently with her new mixtape, which included the infectious "Phone Down" and the creative twist on Drake's "Hotline Bling." She's been DJing around the country as Lo Down Loretta Brown, as well as selling out venues with her live show.

While the end of 2015 has brought forth some fresh new Badu material, we don't want you to forget about the classics. Erykah has a bunch of them on her 1997 debut Baduizm and her sophomore LP Mama's Gun. Worldwide Underground stacked up to the first two, creating a batch of three LPs that are on-par with anybody else's. Amidst these albums are legendary neo-soul tunes like "On & On" and "Didn't Cha Know," tracks that are still sampled and referenced to this day.

The world would be different without Ms. Badu, and her influence on hip hop can't be understated. Of course, there's the fact that she's been romantically involved with Jay Electronica, Andre 3000, and Common, but there's also the grand influence that she had while working alongside D'Angelo, Talib Kweli, Rick Ross, Wu-Tang Clan, and so many more. Without further words, here is a Throwback Thursday dedicated to Erykah's early classics.

If you're into The Game, you probably heard his new record Documentary 2, which starts with a song that samples this R&B classic. "On & On" was Erykah's first big single, and helped to jumpstart a career that is still flourishing to this day.

The word soul is used to describe music, but it's really much deeper than that. Soul music is supposed to be music that really utilizes the soul, for all of its wondrous qualities. Badu enlists that soulful vibe in a way that most artists wish they could with lyrics like...

"Your energy, feels so damn good to me
It picks me up don't wanna come down
You got me spinning all around"

In the late 90s, singles like "Other Side of the Game" were very empowering to women. Hip hop hadn't seen a whole lot of positivity in the female column just yet, but when Badu came along it encouraged respect towards the ladies.

Shout outs to Andre 3000 in the video!

Not every late 90s R&B star can play a jazz festival, but that's the level of musicality that Badu was bringing to the table. Check her out as she performs it live in 2012, playing a drum pad and showcasing her ability as a top-tier performer.

This is seriously legendary stuff. Badu's "Tyrone" played muse for the new mixtape, but before that it was causing a ruckus with crowds, landing it a spot on her live album. Below is the quintessential video for that track, and it's absolutely heart melting.

When Mama's Gun was released, Badu was a full-on star. As a member of the Soulquarians and a leader of the neo-soul, she could drop absolutely rocking jams like "Bag Lady" that appealed to listeners of hip hop, jazz, R&B, soul, and even hardcore rap. 

There's such an organic feel with some of Badu's music, like "Didn't Cha Know." You can hear the rich production and soulful background vocals as they create rich layers of sound that send the listener into nirvana. 

Shout out to Badu for keeping it real for women. Hip hop has always had a problem with respecting ladies, but Badu continuously works towards equality. 

"This is how I look without makeup
And with no bra my ninny's sag down low
My hair ain't never hung down to my shoulders
And it might not grow
Ya' never know" 

Worldwide Underground featured different sounds than previously heard on Badu's first two records. The thick bass and synthy sounds of "Danger" were post-modern at the time, and the influence of this style can be heard in present day music. 

Badu broke Common's heart, but before that they were collaborating on tracks like this, which have become staples for both of their careers. A love song to hip hop is one of the most passionate things you'll hear an artist create, and Badu does it with some serious soul.