Final boss level 53: Erykah Badu

Kameron Button 

Music Journalist 

Last month on Feb. 24, 2024, I attended Erykah Badu’s birthday bash at The Factory in Deep Elm. An annual concert she puts together to celebrate her birthday. She asks many friends and family to be in the show, spotlighting the amazing talent that is not often immediately discoverable. This year would be my second time attending the show and I must say, I loved it [the concert]. 

The concert venue doors open around 7:30pm. After the venue opens for about an hour and a half, a DJ usually plays music. The DJs are always killing the game! Of course, most of the songs played were spun and remixed, but in a fresh new way that kept me hooked. During this time before the show, you can get things like limited edition merch, new concessions and obviously drinks. There are no exact set times, but in between sets, the concert hosts will go out on stage. 

This year the hosts were Nayrok Wright, Erykah Badu’s sister alongside Bootz Tarot. The pair provided many things in the interlude between sets like rehearsed bits, witty banter, introducing the artists and personal experiences with the birthday gal. 

The show had four featured openers, one being a dear friend of Badu, Rapsody. The other artists were great influences for her like, The Alchemist, Larry Tune and Frank Moka Dos Negros. Each one of these artists has influenced Badu recently. She made a point to share her appreciation and to showcase their talent. My favorite artist from the bunch would have to be Rapsody. I appreciated and liked how she rapped, the feeling was authentic. When Rapsody performs, she raps with conviction and attitude that makes the song come to life, demanding all attention on the stage. She had an older almost 90’s kind of style of flow and Rapsody will most definitely be going into my playlists. 

Now onto the women of the night. The level 53 final boss, Erykah Badu! After fighting off the mini bosses we finally were able to attack the final boss. Ms. Badu ruled the night and took it [the night] all the way back to Baduizm, her debut album, for the celebration. She sang songs from the album like “Times a Wastin”, “Other Side of the Game” and “Didn’t cha Know” all crowd favorites. She sang another song “Window Seat” from her fifth studio album, which the song is a smooth jazz-infused hip-hop style.  

By the time Badu finished her last song of the night, her daughter, Puma took control of the stage and asked for help from the crowd to sing her mom, Erykah Badu, Happy Birthday! Right before the end of the song, balloons and confetti poured down from above to shower the audience. As Badu thanked the crowd for coming, ending the night. 

This concert was necessary to attend in my book and something I will continue to go to. I loved seeing my favorite artist, Erykah Badu, share her passion alongside the things that influence her artistic endeavors. She is retrospective on life and is thankful for where she is at. She works hard and lifts others up, not just herself. So, if next year you need something to do on Feb. 24, get tickets for this — you will not be disappointed.