Album Review: Baduizm by Erykah Badu

By Kameron Button

Music Journalist 

Idiosyncratic. Would you like to know what that word means? Well here’s a loose definition, it is someone who is a true individual. They are unique: may it be their face, the way they talk, the clothes they wear. This word all but sums up the alluring and mesmerizing Erykah Badu and her Grammy award-winning debut album, Baduizm.

Baduizm, Erykah Badu’s debut Grammy-winning album was released on Feb. 11, 1997. Some may know her as Erykah Badu, Ms.Badu, the Queen of Neo-soul or She-ill if ya nasty. This Queen of Neo-soul has lived many lives. Badu if known for nothing else is a spiritual person and puts a lot of what she is feeling into her music. Her debut Album: Baduizm is no exception to this. In this 27-year-old album, she explores things like the human experience of love and longing, while also using many influences from her own culture and heritage.

The first song we are introduced to on this debut album is “RimShot – Intro.” It leads us into this world with an upright bass plucking.  It then transforms into a jazzy/neo-soul sound, texturized with Badu’s vocals and layered with accompanying background vocals and harmonies. This album also concludes with the song, “RimShot – Outro,” bringing the listener full circle and ending with the same but evolved funky upbeat remix of the intro.

Badu explores this kind of dynamic remixed reprises throughout the album such as having the song “Certainly” being followed up by “Certainly – Flipped.” Both songs lyrically match, but “Certainly” has a few additional lyrics. The reprised version preaches the same lyrical outlook: I certainly never told you to love me.

Badu does this with another two songs called “Sometimes” and “Sometimes – Mix #9.” She raps over the quick instrumental beat of the song, showcasing her roots and ability to lay down some bars, continuing this theme of desire and love.

Additionally, the singles on the album, “On & On,” “Appletree,” “Otherside of the Game” and “Next Lifetime” are upbeat neo-soul jazz mixes. Now staples in R&B playlists, they helped propel the album to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997. The repetition of desire and love continues, but the warming beats on the tracks add an air of reassurance to oneself.

However, it was not a solo creation. Badu also included various collaborations, two major contributors being Questlove and The Roots. Stevie Wonder is also an attributor with songs on the album. “No Love” and “Drama,” are heavily influenced by the use of a Stevie Wonder song called, “Pastime Paradise.”  These influences and collaborations can be attributed to some of the massive success that Baduizm cultivated.

For Badu’s debut album, it is a 10/10. This album holds up even 27 years later. I highly recommend that anyone who hasn’t given this R&B masterpiece a listen, give it one! You won’t be disappointed with any one of the tracks; each one stands alone and is replayable anytime for any mood. Get eased into this soulful jazz universe with “RimShot” and be swept away by the catchy lyrics of “On & On.” “Drama” and “4 Leaf Clover” can soothe that soul of yours with their slowed beats. Baduizm is a skip-less banger that everyone should listen to! Tell your friends and family if they don’t already know. I’ll see you “Next Lifetime.” ;)