1. after making a few jump shots in a row, occasionally lebron james will race down court the next time he gets the ball and shoot an uncontested 35 to 40 footer with 20 seconds left on the shot clock (watch from 0:29 to 0:59 here for an example). for those not familiar with basketball, doing this is the equivalent of approaching your manager to ask for a raise and your own parking spot, receiving both, and then approaching him later that day to ask for a blow job.
in basketball terminology this is known as a “heat check“. basically, you’re doing something seemingly outrageous to test the limits of how far your “hot” streak will go. in lebron’s case, it’s also a way of saying “i’m lebron f*cking james. i’m better at playing basketball than anyone on earth and any other alternate dimensions were basketball might be played. i can do whatever the f*ck i want.”
this idea isn’t limited to basketball. from kanye’s 808′s and heartbreak and the ipad, to the entire career of ray j, pop culture is filled with popular artists heat-checking themselves, and erykah badu’s uber-controversial “window seat” vid is another example of that.
while many have lauded this as ultra-creative, paradigm shifting, envelope pushing, and iconoclastic, personally, i just think it’s her way of saying “i’m erykah f*cking badu. i have millions of die-hard fans, i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show, and i have a fat ass. i’m bored, i can do whatever the hell i want, and my fans will still love me. creative schmeative¹“
2. the overwhelmingly positive response (and condescension towards those who disagree) to this vid is more proof that, in the “cultured” corner of the black community, the headwrap gets you a pass.
mind you, i’m not passing judgment on the artistic merit of the video, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the general sentiment would be much less supportive if keri hilson or nicky minaj or ciara or anyone else not named erykah badu or india.arie or jill scott pulled a similar stunt.
3. while beyonce usually serves as black america’s patron paragon of paradoxy, noone’s art paints a more seemingly contrasting picture between their persona and the actual person than erykah badu.
it’s almost like someone blindfolded her and had her aim at a dartboard of cliches to live by, but she happened to accidentally hit all of the ones that contradict (“sleep with a bunch of rappers”. “make great and empowering music”. “be a role model to black women everywhere”. “have multiple baby daddies”. “have a big butt”. “dress like queen amidala”)
4. meta-commentary aside, i loved the video. it officially ranks as my third favorite badu moment ever²
i loved the zapruder feel to it. i loved the stunned “this isn’t really happening, is it?” faces on the oblivious extras (especially the guy at the 2:00 mark who starts picking up her clothes and chasing her down, then all of a sudden has a change of heart). i loved how the video relates just enough to the song to inspire conversation over whether or not it actually does. i even loved the eerily fatalistic feel to her words at the end. most of all, i loved, well…
5. when erykah badu’s ass talks, everyone listens. and dies. helen keller’s favorite color is erykah badu’s ass. erykah badu’s ass can slam a revolving door. erykah badu’s ass did in fact, build rome in a day
i want to buy erykah badu’s ass a chicken dinner and never call it again. we need it. hell, i need it. i’m a mess without it. i miss it so damn much. i miss being with it, i miss being near it. i miss its laugh. i miss its scent; i miss its musk. in fact, when this all gets sorted out, erykah badu’s ass and i should probably get an apartment together.
6. seriously though, erykah badu’s figure is what every black man in america has in mind when thinking about “the foundation”³. to expound, the reason why some men only consider thinner women as potential wife candidates is because they hope that after a decade and a couple kids, she’ll be built like badu instead of a post-office mailbox. she has, what my uncle would call, a perfect three baby booty.
7. lastly, this video has cemented her status as the one woman i’d be hesitant to actually look in the eye. wait, hesitant isn’t strong enough. she scares the f*ck out of me…
…but for good reason.
¹if ultra cynical, one could also interpret the video as badu saying “look. i have three kids, and i haven’t released a platinum album since the first season of the sopranos. i need to do something to stay relevant because, sh*t, ms badu gotta eat too“. i’m not ultra cynical, though. ²the other two? 1. the “but you can’t use my phone” at the end of her live version of “tyrone”, and the audience reaction to it. 2. the “can you top this” battle her and jill scott have while performing “you got me” at the dave chappelle block party ³word to humble one
—the champ
I cosign number 5.
She went from currently irrelevant to the hottest thing out in a matter of 5 minutes. I know guys are going to buy her album simply because of this video.
sidenote: what if she releases an uncensored version?
@knightnick,
Broad is still as irrelevant as me knowing the color of your socks. Give her a week or 2. Gone with the wind.
She got an ass tho’! SHET!
@knightnick,
sidenote: what if she releases an uncensored version?
you know, this is one of those times when seeing “everything” would actually make things less alluring. some things dont need to be any more “uncut”
@The Champ,
essentially what you’ve said is that Badu is the female equivalent to Prince (you can’t look her directly in the eye).
or, that creature from the Golden Child behind the curtains.
@T.,
basically. she makes the cut, as well as nicole kidman (she’s scary to me) and jim jones
@knightnick, Apparently people in Canada and other places got the uncensored version.
@Gem…from Houston,
Hmm, so there is one. It makes sense Canada and other less pantiesinabunch countries get an uncensored version.
I would seriously like to meet anyone who saw this happen in real time or who was actually in the video. lol
@Cheekie,
other less pantiesinabunch countries
Classic! I am stealing. Thanxmuch.
@Sula,
LOL, no problem. It’s funny because it’s true.
@knightnick,
her tummy is still amazingly flat given her booty and fittyleven kids.
According to a bew report I saw, those weren’t extras, she had no permits to shoot, and the city is considering charging/fining her.
@Ms. Smart, bew=news…typing on iPod
@Ms. Smart,
According to a bew report I saw, those weren’t extras, she had no permits to shoot, and the city is considering charging/fining her
i know. thats why i put “extras” in quotations.
*or, at least i had extras in quotations before liz edited out. smh.*
@The Champ, wtf? I didn’t take no quotes off “extras.” I did take them off 808s and heartbreaks because you don’t quote and italicize album names. Don’t make me go down my list of stuff I fixed that did NOT include extras! extras deez.
@Liz,
yaaaaaaassss! i really identified with this comment for some reason.lol
@Liz,
go down your list of deez
Yes to your top two Badu moments. This could be a post in and of itself.
I appreciate EB more for her so-called contradictions. It makes me think of *gasp* a real person. From jump Ms. Wright has refused to let us put her in a box – not the neo-soul box, not the head-wrapped earth mother box, not the rapper baby momma box, nope. While she may hop from island to island she never gets comfy in any one spot long enough to be pigeon holed. I LOVE that.
I said on FB earlier that EB is my spirit guide. So long as her music is speaking to me and she’s being that crazy, spiritual, homie/lover/friend I’m down.
Oh, those in the know been peeped EB’s um, figure. While she doesn’t have to flaunt it all the time, who the hell is gonna tell a grown ass woman with three kids that she gotta cover up forever? Not me, not when she looks like that!
@Kia, JD,
who the hell is gonna tell a grown ass woman with three kids that she gotta cover up forever?
her kids maybe? “mommy, put a bra on” seems like it would work
@Kia, JD,
I appreciate EB more for her so-called contradictions. It makes me think of *gasp* a real person.
Exactly. When I go down the list of artists I truly heart, I realize that I like the ones that are human! The ones with quote -flaws-unquote… who also embrace their humanity and flaws. Those vulnerable artists make my heart flinch and talk to me through their music. And that is why EB and LH et al are some of my favorite-est performers ever…
I guess (if I want to be deep now that I am a year older, ha!) I seek humanity in my fellow humans… Color head-wrapper extraordinaire… Although I prefer the term free-thinking flower child…He he he.
flat lined @ ” i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show”
regained life long enough to wave a hand in agreeance @ “the headwrap gets you a pass.
but then died @ “in fact, when this all gets sorted out, erykah badu’s ass and i should probably get an apartment together.”
wowers!!!! this post was ridiculously hilarious while simultaneously completely ON POINT!!! i cant believe it but i had almost exactly the same 5 reactions to this video. except, i dont want to move in with e.badu’s ass–i want to hijack it and keep it for myself. im not getting any younger, a 3-baby booty may be just what i need to snag “the one”
@Gem of the Ocean,
except, i dont want to move in with e.badu’s ass–i want to hijack it and keep it for myself
if you do that, you should definitely bring it to the next game night
@The Champ,
done. done. and done.
@Gem of the Ocean,
“wowers!!!! this post was ridiculously hilarious while simultaneously completely ON POINT!!! i cant believe it but i had almost exactly the same 5 reactions to this video. except, i dont want to move in with e.badu’s ass–i want to hijack it and keep it for myself…”
CO-SIIIIIIIGGGGGGGNNNNN! This said it all…
Champ….good sh*t
oh and extra co-sign on the #2 footnote, that block party performance is HARD!
@Beremore,
Champ….good sh*t
oh and extra co-sign on the #2 footnote, that block party performance is HARD!
i wonder where the block party concert ranks on the list of “live performances people would give their first-born’s first shoes to see”? it’s definitely top five for me
@The Champ,
“live performances people would give their first-born’s first shoes to see”<— LOL exactly!!
For sure top 5, that concert was Classic!
@Gem of the Ocean,
“i want to hijack it and keep it for myself…”
I cosign. When I saw the video and saw the response of the man watching the video with me I thought, if I had an a$$ like that, I could say so long to grad schools because my bills would be PAID.
Gem, if u do happen to hijack it, share. She has enough for all of us.
@Gem of the Ocean,
except, i dont want to move in with e.badu’s ass–i want to hijack it and keep it for myself. im not getting any younger, a 3-baby booty may be just what i need to snag “the one”
100% cosign I’d share though, I think that’s too much booty to handle
@Gem of the Ocean,
” i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show”
Yeah, that killed me. But what killed me DEAD is that pic of Andre at the end. I had to stifle myself because I was reading this on a train full of Irish Catholics and they just wouldn’t understand.
i swear i love her and have the biggest girl crush on the chick.
and i’m not gonna even front, i saw the vid and hit the gym, shawwty got a fatty.
@jana.love,
and i’m not gonna even front, i saw the vid and hit the gym
me too. but, by “hit” i meant “beat” and by “the gym” i meant “my meat”
@The Champ, gross.
@Liz,
lmao yes, gross indeed.
@The Champ,
uh uh.
@The Champ,
*does a couple of hail marys*
@The Champ,
ewwww….tmi…
lol.
@jana.love,
You and I are >< here…. I was breathing extra hard on my abdominals this week! Gotta get that tight, tight stomach!!!
@jana.love,
honey, squats and lunges were on deck im-me-di-ate-ly. operation #windowseat… oh leh do it..!
can I just say He-ll to the yes on the first several points.
1 I love the video but for real its shock value! the statement doesnt match the song and even if the video does make an interesting statement about group think; Group think is the reason its hot right now.the whole situation provides an interesting paradox much like badu herself. If you use nudity in an artsy way and then use the artsy nudity as shock value to generate buzz for you new single and album that to this point have nothing to do with the statement of the video.. does that make you revolutionary or basically a beyonce?
and by beyonce i mean a person that is not changing the game as much as playing it better than anyone else?
Badu is basically the beyonce of the headwrap crowd.
but I love her and her ballsy ness and the video.. or rather assyness…and her overall badass im doing me vibe. so
the song?
eh
its aight
@shay-d-lady,
but I love her and her ballsy ness and the video.. or rather assyness
i’m definitely adding “assyness” to the champs daily lexicon
@The Champ,
chile, me and my momma been saying “assyness” for years. where YOU been?
@charli skipper,
obviously not chillin on the couch with you and your mom. you usually ask me to just stay in the bedroom
@shay-d-lady,
“I love her and her ballsy ness and the video.. or rather assyness…and her overall badass im doing me vibe.”
Are you saying you love her ass or the fact that she had the courage to do this? If it’s the latter, do you love the courage that other women have when they shed their clothes on camera in public? Or just Badu?
@Monk, I want to speak on this. I don’t put Badu’s nudity and say girl #43 from the tip drill video in the same category. I think it’s because I know that she was in control of her image, rather than a director’s vision that correlated with an idea and/or lyrics that objectified her and took her nudity to a gratuitous and pornographic level. (i.e. when i can count the number of folds in a woman’s labia during a video’s dance sequence) And even if one were to argue that girl #43 knew what she was getting into when she signed the Lap Dance/P*ssy Poppin/Right Thur video contract it always leaves me feeling a little cheap and dirty for them. They’re not making a statement, they’re not even making a pseudo-artistic statement, they’re just bodies being used like burners. I felt more empowered by Badu’s nudity, sort of like I did with Madonna’s in the early 90s. Matter of fact, where’s my 8mm camera…I’m gonna make me home video in the Burgh. Wylie Avenue, here I come!
@Miss Patterson,
Seems like you’re painting women who appear in videos with very broad stroke and generalization. In reference to the “Tip Drill”‘s and similar “un-cut” style videos, those are exotic dancers or strippers. That’s something totally different from a model playing a role in a video or just dancing in a video. Let’s not confuse that.
I still see a huge double-standard and contradiction in saying that something’s wrong with a woman dressed in club attire or even a bathing suit willingly dancing or posing in front of a car (no one makes you do it) on a closed set, but it’s perfectly fine for another woman to strip butt-booty naked and prance down the street in front of an unsuspecting public with children and everyone else being unwillingly, unknowingly exposed to public indecency. You know what Erykah is about so you can draw the conclusions on why she did it. One can only assume why each individual video model does it…and believe me, the reasons vary.
@Monk, make no mistake I am speaking strictly about the uncut naked video exotic dancers & strippers when I made the comparison in my earlier comment. And I have a very negative visceral reaction to those that videos in particular that is hard to articulate without generalizing. As for the highly stylized video models that you see in a video like “the whisper song”, my response is very different. No soap box there, I’m just jealous-lol. Hey, at least I’m being honest
I just wanted to be clear that my earlier comment was comparing nudity to nudity. Rather than short dresses to Erykah’s donk.
I still see a huge double-standard and contradiction in saying that something’s wrong with a woman dressed in club attire or even a bathing suit willingly dancing or posing in front of a car (no one makes you do it) on a closed set, but it’s perfectly fine for another woman to strip butt-booty naked and prance down the street in front of an unsuspecting public with children and everyone else being unwillingly, unknowingly exposed to public indecency.
things that make you go hmmmmm and shit
@Monk, I give it up to any woman or man that’s about doin them!
I more sop applaud erykah for being comfortable enough with herslef to be
Butt naked and makeupless with no airbrush. It showsa comfort with yourself on a whole
Other level!
@shay-d-lady, I more sop applaud erykah for being comfortable enough with herslef to be
Butt naked and makeupless with no airbrush. It showsa comfort with yourself on a whole
Other level!
Co-sign!
@shay-d-lady,
Gotchu.
@shay-d-lady,
*co-signery
@Monk,
I have argued this and will argue it again… I don’t even think Badu’s video is $exual… It actually has quite an a-$exual feel to it… You are forced to think $ex because well, that a$$ can not be ignored… but ultimately, it doesn’t even come off as chexy if you remove the arse… Same thing as the video who originated hers. Matt and Kim’s…. It wasn’t chexy at all… but if it was starring Scarlett Johannson, of course because of her curves it would have had a certain chexual subtext to it…
And I believe that’s the dichotomy or rather interesting-ness of this video. Had it been performed by anybody else but EB, it wouldn’t have produced parallells with Video girls etc… but because her physique is the typical video girl’s physique… the comparisons cannot not be made…
@Sula,
“It actually has quite an a-$exual feel to it”
I agree. And I believe it’s what she was aiming for. She didn’t glam herself up or anything. Sure, she can’t help if folks find it sexy regardless (because hey, makeup-less and non-glammed women CAN be chexy), but I think she executed the asexual-ness very well.
@Sula,
I never said it was a sexual video and whether it’s sexual or a-sexual is of no consequence.
Badu said on twitter that it was unplanned, no warning, no crew, 1 take, done in 2 minutes, and then she ran like hell.
@MzKang,
it was unplanned, no warning, no crew, 1 take, done in 2 minutes, and then she ran like hell.
replace “she” with “he” and this sounds like the first time i had sex
@The Champ,
*dying*
@The Champ,
LMBO!
@The Champ,
(snickering quietly while at work)….ha, ha….oh yeah, ha!
@The Champ,
*smh*
@The Champ,
*blinks*
@The Champ,
That was funny as hell!!!!
I think i wanna have yo baby…..
@The Champ,
surprised that noone caught on to the fact that by substituting “he” for “she”, it makes it sound like i had sex with a man. i definitely need to hire a copy-editor
@The Champ, I caught it, but I didn’t want to be judgmental about your first time.
@The Champ,
That TMI was funny as hell.
@MzKang,
“Badu said on twitter that it was unplanned, no warning, no crew, 1 take, done in 2 minutes, and then she ran like hell.”
I wonder how long she remained lying on the ground? I find it hilarious when imagining that she lied their in the exact time it took for the video, then when the director yelled, “Cut!”, she got up and Speedy Gonzalesed her tail outta that joint.
And Champ (Cole), you stoopid.
There shall be folk tales of folk tales of folk tales, regarding Erykah B. and this video in particular. (The latest of which is a response to her disrobing while “da babies” are present…yeah, a green screen is being reported.)
I can say a couple of things to this:
If her baby’s daddies had been Tone Loc, (some one from) Crucial Conflict or 9thWonder (sorry…too soon?!)…nobody would bring her babies into this.
If she had not donned the boy shorts…we’d still know (and drool or swoon appropriately)….but we did it MORESO watchin’ those cheeks twitch in the Dallas sunshine semi clad and laced.
If her meat pillows were bigger…this would be porn (no Anna Nicole).
Seen on a dude (namely Usher’s untalented arse) that pelvic crease is EXTRA CHEXY!!! (…ummm, if you’re a heterogirl).
Look, I enjoyed the vid. It’s E being E and if she didn’t eventually step it up…she’d be Sade (praying that the music carried her through for every one else…not just me.)
@Tenchi,
If her baby’s daddies had been Tone Loc, (some one from) Crucial Conflict or 9thWonder (sorry…too soon?!)…nobody would bring her babies into this.
lol, if this was true, it would be like baxter the dog eating the entire wheel of cheese. more impressive than anything else
@The Champ,
“9thWonder (sorry…too soon?!)…”
Are you channeling Phonte today?
Man, muthaf*ck the people who pull down videos on Youtube, keeping ninjas like me who get on the internet like twice a day and thus miss out on Erykah Badu videos and sh*t in the dark.
@P., just go to http://www.erykahbadu.com/ and click on the purple ankh. you’ll see it on a bigger screen.
First off, I love Erykah Badu and I really LOVE her music.
Now that I got that out the way, that video is hot friggin’ garbage. Trash. Rummage. This is coming from a man who loves a$$ and bitties as much as the next red-blooded dude, but the shyt’s just WACK. As you’ve stated (and I have in million conversations this week), the ONLY reason people like it is because it’s Erykah…and they like Erykah. It’s like Ms. Badu has casted her voodoo over the masses and now they’re all falling into “groupthink” theirselves.
From a technical standpoint, it’s overexposed, it’s poorly shot, there’s a lot of out of focus moments, and it basically looks like a film school flunkee demo reel circa 1986.
It’s not as “deep” as people wanna make it out to be. It’s just not. It comes across to me as she’s TRYING to be deep which isn’t authentic. And yes, I do “get” what she’s saying, but the video is not creative or artistic at all…actually, it’s juvenile and basic. C’mon, how much creativity goes into, “We’re just gonna shoot it gurerilla-style and I’m gonna walk down the street, strip, and get shot. I’ll have a message at the end and it will trip muafuggas out.” Ding! Sorry, you don’t get credit for that.
I’ve heard people say everything from the nudity is “tasteful” and “artistic” to some women just wanting a body like hers. What’s tasteful about indecently, publicly exposing oneself to an unsuspecting public in a major metropolis where there are people’s kids out there?
Regardless, a video model can be connected to sleeping with a rapper and she’s instantly branded a hoe, but let it be someone whom you love such as Erykah who in many ways can be looked at as a rapper groupie herself (does it make it better that she let the rappers raw her, bust in her, and have kids with them?), and then people wanna change the rules and say it doesn’t apply to HER. GTFOHWTBS!
I guess I say all that to say, people tend to look at things differently if it’s someone that they like, but if they like or care for the individual, they’re quick to rip them to shreds.
@Monk,
*correction*
“but if they DON’T like or care for the individual, they’re quick to rip them to shreds.”
@Monk,
All of this was clearly deliberate, not just somebody not knowing how to film lol. The look is supposed to be a throwback to JFKs assassination, hence the location and the opening. I expect the blurryness is also due trying to work around the fact that they didn’t get anybody to sign any releases to “be in the video.”
@Liz,
I get that. Still wack in its execution.
@Liz,
I was about to write just that. Took the words right out of my mouth.
@Monk,
It’s like Ms. Badu has casted her voodoo over the masses and now they’re all falling into “groupthink” theirselves.
i said a very similar thing the other day!!! goomh
(does it make it better that she let the rappers raw her, bust in her, and have kids with them?), and then people wanna change the rules and say it doesn’t apply to HER. GTFOHWTBS!
i have said this in my circles on more than one occasion!! again, goomh!!!!
while i wouldnt say the vid was straight whack, i do agree its not very impressive. i think its art, though. but i also think gucci mane’s “lemonade” vid is art. i LOVE the yellow black and white. hate the f*cking song tho, but i digress… i do see where badu was going with the vid and while it may be distasteful to disrobe in front of children in some circles, why must nudity in a non-sexual form (she was just walkin! not her fault that booty was clappin) be labeled distasteful? kids see their parents naked all the time (or is that just in white families?). nudity shouldnt be shunned. vulgarity is the bigger issue when kids are involved, imho. but thats a convo for another time…
all that to say, i appreciate hearing a fellow badu fan give the vid a negative review. i havent heard ONE since it came out. the closest was 2 friends saying “i just dont get it”.
@Gem of the Ocean,
Is the video obscene as in possessing no artistic value? Of course not. I agree, it is “art”. In my opinion (and I fairly assume yours), it’s just not good art. Art is subjective so to each his/her own.
I actually do think “Lemonade” is a better video…and I like the song…well, at least the beat and the chorus.
@Gem of the Ocean,
“kids see their parents naked all the time (or is that just in white families?)”
Nope, in my fam it’s the norm to let it all hang out, lol
@Smiley Face,
In my fam it’s the norm as well…
(no wonder I turned out “white girl crazy”, uh?
)
@Gem of the Ocean,
“why must nudity in a non-sexual form (she was just walkin!) be labeled distasteful?”
Thank you Gem for succinctly writing what I wanted to say, but would have written an entire essay to express. People seem to be so “faux puritan” when it comes to nudity. It amazes me how we are all born nude, but all of a sudden we’ve just GOT to cover up. When it all boils down, we essentially all appear generally the same in the nude, have generally the same parts (just in different proportions and it really is not THAT big of a deal. If God wanted me to be covered I would have been born with fur! As far as the kids go, exposure to something mitigates curiosity. How many kids would hide somewhere saying “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” if it were something they saw all the time? Are they really going to be damaged because they saw a booby or a penis or a badonkadonk? If you are there to educate your child and answer the questions in a suitable manner, what gives? On the news last night they alluded that the mother of the child who got an eye full wants to sue. Give me a f*ckin break people. Get a job and a life and stop with the get-rich-quick schemes! *climbing down from soapbox – allowing blood pressure to normalize*
@Caballeroso (resident nudist),
People seem to be so “faux puritan” when it comes to nudity
Ok, I am so stealing faux puritan!
American puritanism boggles my mind at times… it really does.
A nude body is just that a NUDE body!!! It’s just the sum of titties, arse and everything in between… It’s all over the place, everybody has one and it’s not something nobody has never seen… Everybody has seen one of those at some point!
I just don’t get why people in general are so gung-ho about the whole nudity thing… Nudity is freedom, y’all… Embrace it!
@Caballeroso (resident nudist),
@Caballeroso (resident nudist),
I’m trying to understand your argument. Are you saying that since we weren’t born with clothes, we shouldn’t wear them? Should we all just take it back to the days of before loin cloths and just carry on our day to day activities in the raw? Do you wish for yourself and everyone else to sit on filthy, germ infested seats on the bus or train with their kitty cats and wangs exposed to all types of germs and diseases? Me personally, I don’t like the feel and don’t find it in the least bit liberating to walk through the concrete jungle without my shoes and socks off let alone other parts that clothes protect. My body is a temple and shyt.
I don’t think nudity in itself is necessarily distasteful, but when you expose someone else’s child to something before their parent has a choice to do so, I do find poor taste in that. Just because one is an adult and wants to feel liberted and free, does that really justify them smoking crack or weed around someone else’s 4-yr.-old…IN PUBLIC?? You can’t tell me that there shouldn’t be a level of social responsibility there.
@Monk,
Now that I got that out the way, that video is hot friggin’ garbage. Trash. Rummage. This is coming from a man who loves a$$ and bitties as much as the next red-blooded dude, but the shyt’s just WACK.
Amen. I just seent the video last night. I do not understand the hoopla surrounding it. In fact, I was honestly disappointed. I know I got cheap thrills but gadamn that was straight up f*ckery. Wat the hell is going on people? Ranting and raving over this?
@Monk,
you know monk, the next time you leave a comment, you should tell us how you really feel instead of holding back so much
@Monk, “It’s not as “deep” as people wanna make it out to be. It’s just not. It comes across to me as she’s TRYING to be deep which isn’t authentic.”
I totally get what your saying, Monk. I encountered this all the time as a student of writing while discussing critically acclaimed authors, whose apparent “genius” was completely unabsorbed by me. For example, Roberto Bolaño who wrote an entire novel without any paragraph breaks. But guess who thought it was brilliant? Yep, every fiction major except for me. (do you know how many red marks and exasperated sighs I’d get if I had ever handed in a short story like that?) This is what I call artistic license that loses the connection between the artist and the receiver for the sake of being different. So, I totally get what you’re saying, and I respect it. But, I think that in this case there are a few layers of interpretation. And I’ve experienced all of them –from your reaction to Gem’s to finally appreciating it for reasons that I don’t even think Badu has considered. But again, I’m more a fan of the song than I am the actual video. (as evidenced by my essay below).
@Miss Patterson
Ooooh! I feel you on ol’ boy Bolaño. I like his works (especially Savage Detectives)but I hate when people hype up an author and if you happen to think he or she isn’t the messiah people get mad.
@Miss Patterson,
amen!!! omg some of these authors i have to suffer through… it’s like, really?
i’m going to smear some mustard and ketchup on my page and write “red is yellow. we glow orange. we evolve. we eat. we die.” on my next essay and i BET NOT get anything less than a 93.5%.
@Miss Patterson,
I totally feel you. Basically, with any form of art, the interpretation is going to be up to the interpreter. And if one reads deep enough into anything, they can interpret it to be whatever they want it to be.
I just think with the monologue at the end and because it’s w”Erykah Badu”, people are more willing to make something out of it as oppose to any other non-headwrap-wearingartist’s video.
@Miss Patterson,
that novel cant be any worse than “tender buttons”, the gertrude stein authored piece of devil donkey shit i was forced to read in college.
@The Champ, Don’t even get me started on Stein. One day, I’ll “get” that too.
@The Champ,
Well since we are admitting things: I don’t think “The Great Gatsby” was so hot and I hated “Waiting For Godot”.
*dodging tomato*
@Monk,
I too am a Badu fan who says “hell no” to this video.
“What’s tasteful about indecently, publicly exposing oneself to an unsuspecting public in a major metropolis where there are people’s kids out there?”
Her so called “Groupthink” message was overshadowed (in my mind) by the fact that she decided to take away a parent’s choice on what to expose their children to. *SMH*
“Regardless, a video model can be connected to sleeping with a rapper and she’s instantly branded a hoe, but let it be someone whom you love such as Erykah who in many ways can be looked at as a rapper groupie herself (does it make it better that she let the rappers raw her, bust in her, and have kids with them?), and then people wanna change the rules and say it doesn’t apply to HER. GTFOHWTBS!”
*Major Cosignage* I couldn’t have said it any better.
@Monk,
“I guess I say all that to say, people tend to look at things differently if it’s someone that they like, but if they like or care for the individual, they’re quick to rip them to shreds.”
My dad says this all the time… wait…
@Monk, I gotta slow clap it up for this statement.
While I do like the video it aint all that deep but I like the statement. The simplicity
Of how it was shot kind of goes along with the “real freedom” message. That aside
But it aint the new coming of jesus.
I also totally agree that we give pseudo deep artists a free pass hence the whole
Hip hop is dead argument but that’s another post for another day
But again aside from the fact that I still like the vid. I. Love this statement like champ
Loves e. Badu’s ass!
@Monk, “I guess I say all that to say, people tend to look at things differently if it’s someone that they like, but if they like or care for the individual, they’re quick to rip them to shreds.”
As much as I don’t want to, I have to co-sign this even though I’m a hardcore fan of Queen Badu. You made a real good point. I myself looked at this video and automatically was feeling it just because it was Badu. If it had been Beyonce, I would have tored it up. Maybe that’s another “groupthink” that she used to her advantage…
@T,
Maybe that’s another “groupthink” that she used to her advantage
sounds like you made eye contact with her too
@Monk,
Regardless, a video model can be connected to sleeping with a rapper and she’s instantly branded a hoe
See this is not exactly true. The (true) EB lovers that I know (like moi) don’t get their panties in a bunch if a video dancer prances around naked or is connected to a rapper $exually… I am actually really weary of the word “hoe” for instance… We had a movement here on VSB where we reclaimed our “Hoe-Ness”… at least I did.
I have always said that I actually quite admire Karine Steffans for her ballsyness and business acumen…
So no, not every EB lover is quick to call other video models “hoes”… we might not be the majority but we do exist… (where is VEG when you need her!!!
)…
before i make my next comment let me start by saying i LOVE e.badu. ive been a fan since baduizm 1st dropped. i loved the fact that she was “eclectic” and unapologetic about her style, her sound and her flow. she was ERYKAH!! with a Y and an H, b*tches!!!! so me and e.badu go way way way back.
that being said, i dont find this video shocking, revolutionary, uber-artistic, or even trend-setting. the e.badu in this vid is the same e.badu she’s always been (as far as im concerned). i mean, i think the vid was cool and was a bit surprised she came out ALL her clothes. but at the end i was like, yeah, thats baduizm. the biggest buzz about the vid is that it completely overwhelmed
the hormonesof ppl who dont even really listen to the words of her music/message — most of whom are so busy gaga’ing (no lady) over her fatty. and it also really underscored those negros that think they are so artsy and “enlightened” so they perceive this vid as genius. its not (imho). its a piece of art, like all her other sh*t. this just happened to be done guerrilla style and she ended up butt-nekkid.but as usual, badu is pushing the limits of whats socially acceptable and seemingly trying to force ppl to THINK about ish… outside the [box]. but shes always been doing that. why is this so noteworthy?? oh, right, she showcased that juicy jellyroll.
im over it. *kanye shrug*
@Gem of the Ocean,
and it also really underscored those negros that think they are so artsy and “enlightened” so they perceive this vid as genius
this kind of reminds me of my feelings for the rza. like, i love his music so much that even if he makes a terrible beat, i figure that its my fault for not evolving enough to understand it.
I was chatting with my gf on this very topic and my thoughts were as follows:
Was the stripping of the clothes symbolizing the loss of her innocence?
Does she think all visionaries get assassinated by “groupthink?”
The lyrics I saw were just more laments on the strain of fame.
That rings hollow to me from her ’cause she is the one having several babies by superstars, NTTAWWT, but if you don’t want to be on the Necole Bitchie’s of the world, don’t do that.
I, too, think this vid was a ‘heat check’ for her and proved she is hotter than Miami in July. And her @$$ deserves it own post, Champ.
@Soula Powa,
And her @$$ deserves it own post, Champ.
hmmmm. not a bad idea. maybe i’ll devote an entire entry to my favorite body parts on various women and shit.
***remembering that my girlfriend reads vsb***
nevermind.
@Soula Powa, the strain of fame…i can totally see that. good point. in fact, that interpretation speaks more honestly to what she may or may not be feeling as a singer who was somewhat irrelevant before this video (irrelevant in terms of our ADHD pop culture interests). And nudity and shock value certainly brings you back to the top of the list.
Need your attention
Need your energy yes I do
Need someone to clap for me
Need your affection
Somebody say come back
@Soula Powa,
“That rings hollow to me from her ’cause she is the one having several babies by superstars, NTTAWWT,”
Superstars? *snickering*
Them kats are famous, superstars? Nah…
@miss t-lee,
How DARE thee scoff at Andre 3K as a superstar?
Thou shalt be THRASHED and SCOURGED!
Nah, for real though. I don’t know what the baseline is for superstardom in your mind, but in my mind there are only two cats in history I think did it better than 3000. And they dead, so they are getting bonus “dead guy” points.
@Big Man,
I have to agree with you.
I like the song, I like some of the creative aspects of the video. Not sure why we need to tackle groupthink with this song, but umm. Ok. On some level though, it’s not 100% creative as it’s
a clear rip off ofinspired by Matt and Kim’s video which is just some 2520s gettin naked in Times Sq and then getting hit by a bus at the end.I much more enjoy “Out of Mind, Just In Time” from the new album.
@Liz,
It wasn’t creative, at all.
All the nekkidness reminds me of that ol’ busta who got busted the other day with 12 stacks and paid his jumpoff $40 for some Monica. I forget his face.
@Liz, True, it’s not 100% Badu, but I commend her for at least giving Matt & Kim their proper credit and for asking permission in advance. Because if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s is a real rip-off artist.
I need to check out the whole album. Btw, this font is so easy on the eyes, I love it. Especially at 4am when the computer light is blinding me in the dark.
ok last comment of the night…
im not gonna lie. after the first 34sec of the vid, i rolled my eyes, sucked my teeth and said to myself– “self, here erykah go bein weird and sh*t. i do NOT wanna watch her walk down the street, not even lip’ing the damn words, for 5min. please let there be something else!” little did i know…
@Gem of the Ocean, LOLLLLLL. I was on that wavelength too. I’d never seen the video it was inspired by, but I was mostly walking through the video wondering how production managed the shoot, and then wondered how weird was this gonna get lol.
@Liz,
LOL right? in the midst of trying to play “whats this loon bout to do now?” shes nekkid and my 2520 labmate walks by and says “what the F*CK are you watching? oh my god is that chick dead?”
@Gem of the Ocean,
LOL right? in the midst of trying to play “whats this loon bout to do now?” shes nekkid and my 2520 labmate walks by and says “what the F*CK are you watching? oh my god is that chick dead?”
imagine if she actually pretended that she died there (no one saw any footage or interviews of badu afterwards), and then came out today and said it was an april fools joke (which still might happen)
I was too fascinated with the reactions of the bystanders and passerbys to even know ONE word from the song…well, technically I know two words, since the title is “Window Seat”…she did say that in the song, right?!
I didn’t really focus on Erykah too much until she stripped down to her underwear and I was like, OMG! It looked like each of her cheeks were puppets controlled by some invisible string pulling it up and down, up and down! She still looks good! If we can all age like that after 3 chillum….
@Anike Love,
OMG! It looked like each of her cheeks were puppets controlled by some invisible string pulling it up and down, up and down!
LOLOL
@Anike Love,
I dig the song…been bumpin’ it before the video. The video actually takes away from the song and does it no justice to me. I’ll continue listening and just create my own video in my head.
so i guess i’m going to have to actually watch the video so i can comment. (no, i am not living under a rock. i heard about it and the national outcry it has sparked, but i haven’t been in video-watching-mood.)
but um….my dad heard about it on npr and he and my mom were all, “that’s a damn fool. strippin nekkid around all them white folks. she need to go to jail. or get fined heavily until she almost broke.” um…….we really had one of those, “wow. so…..i came from you….. seriously?” moments.
i definitely agree with the idea that she gets a “headwrap” pass because, even though i don’t have a fully formed opinion because i haven’t seen the video, for some reason i’m taking for granted that it’s not vulgar or offensive. whereas nikki minaj and lady gaga disgust me at the moment, so i would automatically have a gag reflex if it were either of those two. it’s like badu made a name for herself as a “deep” (whatever that means) artist years ago, so for the rest of time she can do anything and you’re just like, “aw, hell. that girl is weird! she don’t wear stilettos!!”
and i’ve been hearing a lot about ms. badu’s butt. hm…..i really need to watch this video. i’d love to get a visual of what constitutes a perfect ass.
the fact that i’ve been hatin on big asses for so long has clouded my judgment and i’m not sure what one is supposed to like anymore.@charli skipper,
well that’s a pretty nice comment. i changed my mind. not gonna watch the vid.
@charli skipper,
i think you should go to bed now
@The Champ,
good night deez.
This is a brilliant and dead on response. I so could not have said it better and I’m a chic.
(p.s. and she DOES have the best ass since….my ass)
@TJB,
welcome and sh*t (i think)
and umm this…
(p.s. and she DOES have the best ass since….my ass)
…is useless without pics
As much of a fan as I am of Ms. Badu (since the beginning, shucks…I still rock the old albums as if the isht just came out)….but I must say, I am disappointed to a certain extent. Glad to see she’s keeping the figure in tact, but….
For me, its not really what you do, but how you do it. There are more than 50/’leven ways to skin a cat. While going guerilla style, it seems to have taken away from something…something I just can’t put my finger on, which funked up the delivery. Don’t get me wrong, I hear what some folks are saying….creative, expressive from an artistic standpoint. However, IMO she crossed the line when it came down to other people’s children being exposed to this brand of “art”. Next thing you know, more and more folks will try to use the flimsy excuse of a form of art, when really its just indecent exposure (to the general public); put some dayum clothes on. Hell, I can hardly bear watching some of the young ones with their pants wrapped around their ankles and their thongs peeking out over those too tight-you-know-those-pants-weren’t-made for-the-abundantly-blessed-lose-rise-jeans. ‘Cause we all know this would not be taken so lightly if this were a less attractive woman with way too many lady-lumps…and you can hang that isht up if this were a man – specifically a BLACK man. Them mofos would have gladly banned together to make a citizen’s arrest.
Head wrap or not…Erykah….sis, I can’t give you a pass on this one. Sowwwy….
Besides, I’ve never been too big on that whole “do as I say, not as I do” tip.
@Ms. Butta’sWorth,
“However, IMO she crossed the line when it came down to other people’s children being exposed to this brand of “art”. ”
There’s a line? As opposed to Cialis and Go Daddy commercials being on all d*mn day?
@deviant,
There’s a line? As opposed to Cialis and Go Daddy commercials being on all d*mn day?
and…. iDied.
@deviant,
Yes, there is indeed. I personally am not too familiar with these Go Daddy commercials. Yep, I had to google it to familiarize myself with what was being referenced.
My point is this: It was not her call to draw that line when it comes down to other folks’ kids. I’m all for folks “doing them” as many like to say. However, in doing you remember it ain’t nobody’s shot to call but mine when it comes right down to it.
It seems to me that we have to many folks doin’ them at the expense of others. Too many wannna play chief over somebody else’s isht…is all I’m sayin’.
I love Badu as much as the next man…but the video more or less reminded me that I kinda miss BET Uncut…
D@mn you BET for taking Tip Drill away…D@mn you!
(no disrespect to any Spelmanites out there).
@DG,
D@mn you BET for taking Tip Drill away…D@mn you!
(no disrespect to any Spelmanites out there).
you know, i’ve found out that there are alot of people who didnt even realize that bet uncut existed. hearing that makes me feel even more special and shit, like i was part of some secret, horny, sect
@The Champ,
Uncut was a gift and curse. If not for Uncut I would have never seen the “Tip Drill” or “P Poppin’” videos. However because of uncut I saw that turrible “I Like White Girls” video and my dreams are sometime haunted by something called Joker The Bailbondsman. You take the le bien avec le mal.
@The Champ,
The funniest ish I remember about Uncut was that Black Jesus song.
*Wow, you’ve really met folks who didn’t know Uncut exsisted?
when erykah badu’s ass talks, everyone listens. and dies. helen keller’s favorite color is erykah badu’s ass. erykah badu’s ass can slam a revolving door. erykah badu’s ass did in fact, build rome in a day
i want to buy erykah badu’s ass a chicken dinner and never call it again. we need it. hell, i need it. i’m a mess without it. i miss it so damn much. i miss being with it, i miss being near it. i miss its laugh. i miss its scent; i miss its musk. in fact, when this all gets sorted out, erykah badu’s ass and i should probably get an apartment together.
okay, this has me rolling on the ground laughing!! you’re such a fool, champie!
@superwoman,
only a south african would say “rolling on the ground” instead of “the floor”. i missed you, superwoman
Oh, and those invisible “puppet strings” that make a woman’s azz rock/switch from side-to-side are called….(drumroll): Hips.
…especially if she walks with her hips. I now smh as I’m reminded of that time when my ex’s little brother asked him….aww hell, nevermind. (chuckle) Kids say the darnest things.
@Ms. Butta’sWorth,
…especially if she walks with her hips. I now smh as I’m reminded of that time when my ex’s little brother asked him….aww hell, nevermind. (chuckle)
you can’t do that. you have to expound and shit
I have a love/hate thing with Ms. Badu and it’s only because her music seems to absorb moments of time to which I don’t want to flashback. Actually, all music does that for me- but hers in particular. Also, I was already wearing headwraps when she came on the scene, and she made them obnoxiously trendy at the AUC. (Her and the tree people at Clark) gRRR…
As for the video, I’ve probably given more thought to this than a working individual should. I watched the video, immediately recognized the Zapruder 8mm JFK parallel, but got really caught up on the song. Like REALLY caught up on the song. I played the song so much that I know the words by heart. But I couldn’t see how the lyrics and video related. Then a friend of mine sent me an article on Huffington Post that was supposed to explain her vision. My first reaction was that the video was a convenient, seemingly artistic stretch. In light of the recent political debates, teabaggers and hearing several fb “friends” refer to American citizens on welfare as “these people”, I thought it was poignant to address how scary this time is for the less conservative opinion. Last week, I was so upset after having an argument with someone about Healthcare, that I actually started to have chest pain. At any rate, I think she spoke to a fear that was consuming me and at the same time trying to find a unique way to tie it into this video. In the article Badu claimed that this song was about liberation. I suppose it is. I thought it was about love and rejection and abandonment. And that almost bipolar kneejerk reaction we have to a lover’s emotional distance. In our most insecure moments, we want the approval of someone who we have intentionally distanced ourselves from because the relationship didn’t meet our expecations. We run away, but we still want that person to miss us. (As she states in the song) But as you listen to the song a little bit more, it can also be about liberation from by society’s overwhelming demands and at the same time wanting to be accepted. Does this warrant nudity and/or a tie into JFK? eh…maybe. It worked. It’s got people talking about her art, her music, etc.
Headwraps do get a pass. Because I would be hating everyday and twice on Sunday if this were anyone else. It spoke to the exhibitionist that lives deep inside me. That is all.
@Miss Patterson,
“I thought it was about love and rejection and abandonment. And that almost bipolar kneejerk reaction we have to a lover’s emotional distance. In our most insecure moments, we want the approval of someone who we have intentionally distanced ourselves from because the relationship didn’t meet our expecations. We run away, but we still want that person to miss us.”
I loved this. It’s just sat with me for the past several minutes now…
@Miss Patterson,
girl PREACH about the headwrap overkill that was going on in the AUC. i only knew like 2 girls who actually wore them before the craze started. then everyone all of a sudden started rocking headwraps, long wrap skirts, and giant ankh rings. ahh.. the those sophomore Spelman days.
anyhoo. i love your interpretation of the song. i actually love the song and i’ve decided that’s what it means. thanks.
Headwraps do get a pass. Because I would be hating everyday and twice on Sunday if this were anyone else. It spoke to the exhibitionist that lives deep inside me. That is all.
yesyes. if this were ANYBODY else, there would be a whole lot of ‘hobbyless hoe’ terms all up and through this post and everyone’s comments.
@Miss Patterson,
I thought it was poignant to address how scary this time is for the less conservative opinion.
And that’s the feeling I got when I first watched the video… lying in my car on my lunch break because I had to get away from my annoying colleagues…who mostly sit smack dab in the middle of Conservatism… and make no qualms about how they really feel about life… It was refreshing to see and hear.
I live in the same state as Ms. Badu… and the mentality can get overwhelming at times… We, extreme liberals, have to seek each other out and run in packs… or suffer dire consequences. The video (and the speech) spoke to me… I have yet to really listen to the song…
@Miss Patterson,
I thought the same thing! I though it was about a relationship and getting away and still wanting that person to want you. I realize it’s something else which matches the video more than my initial thought when I just heard the song on the radio before seeing the video.
“b*tch bye. if she had done that around my 4 year old in a public place where i have the right to walk without being visually assaulted by her ass, i would’ve showed her some ‘art’ alright. people attack what they don’t understand? what i understand is you just walked by a bunch of people’s kids and showed your ass, literally.”
i was having the “oooh did you see erykah’s new video/donk?” discussion with my friend and that was her response. don’t think she’s a fan. lol.
anyhoo, initially upon watching the video, i could only fixate on why she was wearing a wig cap/du-rag not only in public, but in her video… and then it moved on to shock as to why she was walking down a street stripping. i’m a big fan of erykah, but my first response was a complete blank face. i didn’t get the concept and i’d heard so much hypeness about it that it kind of reminded me of an “emperor’s new clothes” type deal … how people were mad excited, like this video was the sweetest thing since krispy kreme glaze, when really, she was just walking through the street naked with a wig cap on.
i gave it a kanye shrug and expressed my jealousy of her assets, but also my confusion over the supposed ‘hotness’ on twitter, and was immediately ‘enlightened’ by several people and made to feel as though i wasn’t deep enough to get it (made me feel some type of way, but whatever). i was then directed to a very insightful article on the freshxpress about the meaning and the correlation between the kennedy assassination and her video (which i had totally not realized bc of the nakedness). after reading this and also realizing that those were just random people and not extras, i had to respect the blatant boldness of the badu that is erykah, and the message. i am a fan of most things radical and against the grain. esp if it is meant to enlighten or make one think.
…after watching a third time the other day though, i don’t know. i get the message, but i also think she could have gotten it across without offending people’s basic rights and decency (Muze loves the kids). i respect the boldness, but once i realized i was forcing myself to ‘get it’ so i could be ‘deep’ like errybody else (how you gonna incite groupthink by being anti-groupthink?) i had to ask myself if i really did think it was just that dope. and the answer is… iono. i like the message and the correlation to jfk, i like the song, but i think the video itself is not all as revolutionary as everyone wants to believe.
also… am i the only one who noticed that the more naked she got, the less people (even men) were looking? like, it’s hard for me to believe that the man she walked right past would not even glance her way, or the couple walking next to her, or the men who she walked past whom didn’t even look back. i’m convinced someone was walking behind her holding up a sign that said ‘Carry On Folks, Nothing To See Here’. ESPECIALLY seeing as though it’s highly probable that only about 1.02% of them actually knew who she was. you telling me that a 2520 male isn’t going to stop and stare at some anonymous, present-day hottentot venus walking down the street? riiiiight.
@Muze, OMG! NO YOU DIDN’T SAY hottentot venus!!! poor hahahaha. i am so mad at you. poor hottentot. I did wonder why a couple people acting like they didn’t see anything. Then again, whenever I see weirdos exposing their genitals I always act like I lost all use of peripheral vision as well as the ability to turn my head. But boys are different. Maybe they were in a booty trance and became paralyzed just by it’s presence alone. **One to grow on…
@Miss Patterson,
lol. no disrespect to Ms.Baartman, but really. nobody turning to look? it’s not like she was on a subway in NY where people encounter strange and unusual (read:crazy) things all the time and don’t even bother to break their stare at the subway doors directly across from them. i can understand the men with women not ogling as much, but come on now, i would’ve been staring and i’m a heterosexual woman.
maybe it was the trance…
@Muze,
“but once i realized i was forcing myself to ‘get it’ so i could be ‘deep’ like errybody else (how you gonna incite groupthink by being anti-groupthink?) i had to ask myself if i really did think it was just that dope. and the answer is… iono. i like the message and the correlation to jfk, i like the song, but i think the video itself is not all as revolutionary as everyone wants to believe.”
You’re in my head wit’ that there….
@Muze,
And that’s why I thought maybe there was a green screen. People just walked by and did not gawk!
I know I would have looked, tapped a friend on the shoulder, and said “do you see this ‘ish?”
@Muze,
also… am i the only one who noticed that the more naked she got, the less people (even men) were looking?
if you notice, once she gets completely nude the crowd stops moving. i think the last 30 seconds or so of the video was just a still shot of them
@Muze,
“also… am i the only one who noticed that the more naked she got, the less people (even men) were looking?”
I noticed that too. When I saw that I was wondering if it was shot with a green screen.
“but once i realized i was forcing myself to ‘get it’ so i could be ‘deep’ like errybody else (how you gonna incite groupthink by being anti-groupthink?) i had to ask myself if i really did think it was just that dope. and the answer is… iono. i like the message and the correlation to jfk, i like the song, but i think the video itself is not all as revolutionary as everyone wants to believe.”
This is exactly how I felt.
@Humble_One,
I think that’s what she wants to happen. Lol
@Muze,
I’ve found that people don’t like to look at folks they think are crazy.
And, a grown woman stripping down on camera in public is probably going to be branded “crazy.”
So, it made sense to me that folks were looking away or pretending they didn’t see.
What I was shocked by was her decision to fall naked on the nasty ground. That was gross.
And the position she fell in made me wonder how many little kids got a really, REALLY good lesson on the human body.
Y’all know what I’m talking about with that position, don’t play innocent.
helen keller’s favorite color is erykah badu’s ass. —–> this almost led to my demise but as i just saw wale/k’naan/nas/damien marley/j cole/john forte in one night, i wouldn’t even be mad.
i co-sign all of these except number 7 (but that’s cos i’m not a guy). and especially number 6… i remain in hope that my progeny will procure me a posterior worth posting up on
@puff,
John Forte huh? How was he?
@miss t-lee,
i thought he got locked up for like 70 years or some shit
@The Champ,
He was, however he’s recently been pardoned.
@miss t-lee, I used to have the biggest crush on Forte.
@Miss Patterson,
He was hot.
@ Puff
Word? Niiice.
@Miss Patterson,
Me too! (on having a crush on Forte’)
@miss t-lee,
he was actually pretty good.
@puff,
wale/k’naan/nas/damien marley/j cole/john forte
where was that? And why wasn’t I there?…. Sometimes, I can ALMOST justify the craziness that is NYC just for this… but then again, almost doesn’t count.
@Sula,
looooool it was at the fillmore – lupe’s going to be there next weekend. and nyc isn’t that crazy… or perhaps i’ve just gone crazy to acclimatise =/
@Sula,
Nas/ Damian Marley will be here in the ATX on 6/9.
I doubt we get the rest of the guests though…lol
@miss t-lee,
Damian Marley in ATX… Hmmm!
The Jill Scott/ Maxwell shinding is on 6/9 as well… However, I don’t like Maxwell enough (I hate artists who “pander”… don’t shoot me.
) to justify shelling $115 for a ticket… so that Damian Marley business is sounding really good right now.
@Sula,
$115? What?! Max is tryna win down there. When he was here last summer my tix were less than $50.
I just checked the prices for you…they are $35.
@miss t-lee,
yeah them maxwell/jill tickets are hella pricey and for terrible seats too (at least at madison square gardens). love them both, but i’ll ponder on my bad habits while sipping on some crown royale at home.
@puff,
LMAO!! Can’t say that I blame you one bit.
Some folks call it cheap, I call it thrifty.
@miss t-lee,
Now $35 is more like it!! Let me look into that right now…
“i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show,”
“instead of a post-office mailbox.”
“erykah badu’s ass can slam a revolving door.”
LMBO!!!
“but there’s no doubt in my mind that the general sentiment would be much less supportive if keri hilson or nicky minaj or ciara or anyone else not named erykah badu or india.arie or jill scott pulled a similar stunt.
Yep. Already.
“i loved how the video relates just enough to the song to inspire conversation over whether or not it actually does.”
This should be on a e-card over on someecards.com
@Made In Hawaii,
“i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show,”
l didnt mean to pick on dre3000 like that. i only chose him because i couldnt find any crazy pics of common to put in there
@The Champ,
I admit, I had to chuckle at the dig you made about Dre, but somehow I feel he pulls “the look” off quite well. It kind of suits him. Yeah, it does raise a few eyebrows but on him…well it looks normal. Lol
@The Champ,
Yup. Common had them multi-colored crocheted pants on one time…homie looked like he had an afgan wrapped around his legs
I think you’re wrong about this video if it was mde by India or JIll would have gotten the same posotive welcome. because those two women are being held at the same level as Erykah though eryka’s craziness is known…
@lextergroove,
welcome and shit, but, before you come back, i’m gonna need you to work on that reading comprehension game a bit
@The Champ,
*in Jill Scott’s voice* Why so mean?
The Champ,First thanks for teaching me a new phrase “heat check” The more you know…
Secondly,I think Ms. Badu has consistently and emphatically said through about her career and life that she doesn’t give an eph what others think about her as long as they’re thinking. It’s not just the beautiful derriere she’s rocking with, it’s the fact that she probably understand that her actions would be misinterpreted, over interpreted et al. Loved the Zapruder effect.Love the fact that she had the cajones to do this, despite the possible legal ramifications.
Also all the people talking about insulting JFK’s memory should realise he’s not a sacred cow, he was a good mortal man who happened to be assassinated and now rests in American mythology,but that doesn’t stop people from using parts of his narrative in their own.
She gets a headwrap pass I guess because people assume she’s being deep and not just vapid and vulgar. If a mere singer(no names…provide your own) had done this and not an artist I would have just written it off as a(n effective) publicity stunt.
This video is a canvas and people are able to project what they want on to her and it. As long as people are having stimulating conversation I suppose.
@KayBeezy, co-sign!!
I’ll admit I’m not an Badu fan(only own he new album) bu when I saw the video I was at a lost. I.JUST. DIDN’T. GET. IT.
Taking off your clothes to a soundtrack, ok
Using the JFK assassination to represent….What??
Getting shot at the end wit small message, Got it.
Sometimes I get a little tired of the “you’re not deep enough to understand Blah blah” This saying has been used as an excuse to explain concept that’s not really or to make-up one for bad writing(i.e. “Remember Me” movie)
That being said Ms. Badu get the pass, hell she earn it for having the Booty to pull it off AND that she is know for making “art”.
Camp #5…….LMAO, man she had that “i’m-gonna-drive-and-follow-you-down-the-block-ASS” “That-I-forgot-I-was-going-to-do-today-Body” Imagine my face when a friend told me she had three kids 0.o 0.o
In the word of my Grandfather “That gurl got good genes”
@Mr. Gundam, My bad on the grammar. Really tired…..zzzzzz
@KayBeezy,
________
| LIKE |
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@KayBeezy,
“This video is a canvas and people are able to project what they want on to her and it. As long as people are having stimulating conversation I suppose.”
This is another one of those statements that I feel people discriminately only apply to Erykah and her ilk…which is what I disagree with.
imho..
this video doesn’t come near massive attack’s ‘coolly elegant’ unfinished sympathy.. (one of my best tracks from one of the best albums of all time..) or the verve’s ‘manchester whyt boy monkey walk’ bitter sweet symphony in the ‘walkin down the street type video’ stakes.. and both artists kept their blimmin clothes on…
@london,
thanks for reminding me about how much i love the brits
@The Champ, …. to be fair.. you also have pharcyde’s ‘the drop’… i was reminded of this vid in a conversation yesterday and came back to give some props…that spike jonze vid is mad clever…
I had a hard time figuring out where I was supposed to be impressed by the song or the video. The over the top gushing and overthinking over this transparent attention-whoring actually led to a lot to people, mostly women I chat with over the web’s opinion on art and whatnot, being diminished. Sheep with headwraps, Africa medallions, and Ahnks, are still sheep.
@Dash,
Sheep with headwraps, Africa medallions, and Ahnks, are still sheep.
lol, at the literal image of a bunch of sheep walking around the hood with headwraps and medallions
@The Champ,
It’ll be like the Black History Month version of “Babe”, the movie.
Erykah Badu’s ass is what dreams are mad of!!!!Real talk and square business. I love her and her album is slammin’
@Just X,
lol, you know someone’s ass is crazy when they make you say a bunch of early 90′s slang.
Required hetro male comment about Ms. Badu’s a$$: I want her a$$ to run for potus on some Shirley Chisolm type sh*t.
Ok, I love the song, but the video is just another example of different not equating to being good. How is this cd anyway? I need to hear it first. She pissed me off last time. (I should stop comparing all of her work to “Mama’s Gun”)
I think Ms. Badu got what she wanted from this video; attention. She is sitting in the corner of a dank coffee shop/wifi hotspot and reading web sites like this beaming from all of the burn she’s getting b/c of the video and that spectactular butt of hers. Either that or she is having a latte thinking about who her next baby daddy will be (Yo Gotti? Trick Daddy Dollars? My money is on Kia Shine.) “Artists” are just as vain and vapid as the rest of us. Head wraps and old-school army issue glasses frames don’t change a damn thing. While her content is different this is the same as if L’il Kim would have done this where Biggie was shot.
I still want to see her in concert. . . if she ever comes to S.C.
*I haven’t had my 3rd cup of coffee yet so my world view is a bit extra cynical at the moment*
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
“My money is on Kia Shine.”
*sings* so crispy, so crispy…lmao
@miss t-lee,
Ew… Memphis be d*mned.
@deviant,
You know that’s your theme song.
*giggling*
@miss t-lee,
I actually started singing his other opus “WoW” when I typed that. Doesn’t her last baby’s father, Jay Electronica wear a Fez? Damn, she got knocked up by Morocco Mole.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
Did you just type “opus”? LMAO
I’m logging off right now…absolute hilarity!!!
A fez? I’m not sure, but dude is definitely different.
@miss t-lee,
I couldn’t help typing “opus” that is the one time in the history of the world that “opus” and Kia Shine will be used in the same sentence.
The pic with Jay rocking the fez should be on this link:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4269606108_417c13e364.jpg
Janjaweed a$$ n***a.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
Thank you for that pic. I’m CTFU over here.
All he needs is one of those lil’ cars and a parade.
@miss t-lee,
Shriner game proper!
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
“How is this cd anyway? I need to hear it first. She pissed me off last time. (I should stop comparing all of her work to “Mama’s Gun”)”
I’ve been thinking this same thing…
#3 is hilarious…think i’ve been tryna figure out why i get such an interesting vibe to her. and that’s it. she’s a walking paradox, lol. as are the rest of us, at times
@joe e,
welcome and shit
As far as E’s bubble, I bet it could bring peace to the Middle East….
As far as the kids seeing that bucket nekkidness, I’m sure they’ve seen worse on
The Real Worldthis here internets.As far as the video, it was like watching a one-woman-flash-mob in slow motion. It’s like the polar opposite of “Telephone.”
As far as the song, already in the rotation.
As far as the concept of Groupthink? At this point, she’s preaching to the choir. The people who need to hear this type of message probably don’t listen to Badu, so eventually it will be lost among the lawsuits brought and charges filed, which will belatedly illustrate her point.
@Maximillian,
As far as E’s bubble, I bet it could bring peace to the Middle East….
i also think it could end world hunger, the recession, and find bin ladin
@The Champ,
LOL, I’m lovin’ the ChuckNorrisFacts-esque list of what Erykah’s donk could do.
*shrugs*
*yawn*
I seriously think this was a publicity stunt to draw up buzz for her newest lackluster album. Mission accomplished…lol More power to you girl. I rides for Erykah (not as hard as her stans though, even though she’ll always get Texan love from me), but really I think she could have came a little differently with the video. Especially since this song is supposedly so deep.
Any of ya’ll got the album and cut for it? My homegirl sent me the album to listen to and I’m not exactly feeling it. It took me a while to warm up to New Amerykah Pt. 1, but I don’t think that is gonna happen this go round.
@miss t-lee,
“I seriously think this was a publicity stunt to draw up buzz for her newest lackluster album. Mission accomplished.”
I was thinking the same exact thing. She captured an even larger audience with this stunt and now will reap the monetary rewards.
@Ivy St.,
“She captured an even larger audience with this stunt”
Exactly. This was the first news story on our local 9:00 news on Monday night. I was like really?!??! I’m sure even my 79 year old grandmother knows who Erykah Badu is now.
@miss t-lee,
I like the song and totally agree wiith it seeming like moreso a publicity stunt. The video “works” your intention was to create controversy and not necessarily trying to sell the song. She took attention away from the song for the sake of causing controversy and publicity which, in my opinion, takes away from the authenticity of the perceived message. As I said upthread, it’s like she was TRYING to be deep and it didn’t come across as genuine to me.
@Monk,
“As I said upthread, it’s like she was TRYING to be deep and it didn’t come across as genuine to me.”
Agreed.
@Monk,
“As I said upthread, it’s like she was TRYING to be deep and it didn’t come across as genuine to me.”
Do you feel this way about her in general? I mean, because honestly, she always comes across as going beyond the surface. I see it as genuine because she’s insane.
I loved it! I have always been a big fan of Erykah’s. She knocked this video out the park. She is unique and she just doesn’t give a isht…and the messages are always relevant and thought provoking. I didn’t know she was carrying that much booty back there..but, I know the men appreciate it…lol.
@QueenT,
I didn’t know she was carrying that much booty back there..but, I know the men appreciate it…lol.
ive seen pics of her before when it was poking out, but i assumed it was more of a hard bubble than a jiggly one
“helen keller’s favorite color is erykah badu’s ass.”
…already stolen…already purchased the lot to house the 50 ft billboard….done made the t-short prototype and already selling them micky flickies for like 2 joints & a head wrap…
@Alovelydai,
i actually took that from the “chuck norris facts” website, but just substituted e.badu’s ass
BADU-KADONK!
@Paradise Gray,
*snicker*
@Paradise Gray,
damn. got pittsburgh legends coming out to vsb today. welcome and shit
oh, and Champ… you are a fool.
idied nearly six times reading this. but i was sleepy. so i looked again this morning to see if i’d actually read:
“i’m erykah f*cking badu. i have millions of die-hard fans, i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show, and i have a fat ass. i’m bored, i can do whatever the hell i want, and my fans will still love me. creative schmeative¹“
and “to expound, the reason why some men only consider thinner women as potential wife candidates is because they hope that after a decade and a couple kids, she’ll be built like badu instead of a post-office mailbox.”
and the ENTIRE number about her ass, and confirmed that mine eyes had actually seen that, and idied again. thanks.
oh! and i meant to say that in my first comment about how she’s such a contradiction. i mean, anyone who was following her on twitter last summer can attest to the fact that ‘crazy’ doesn’t always mean ‘deep’… sometimes it just means crazy. imjussayin.
but, i’m a fan, i heart her music, so long live e.badu’s
assart.@Muze,
First off, dig your new avatar! I know you were tryin’ to change it yesterday and it didn’t work for a while, so I wanted to let ya know you look fly, girl!
But yeah, this:
“she’ll be built like badu instead of a post-office mailbox.”
…cracked my sh*t up, too. Reall, a post-office mailbox? lmfao Like, there are NO clothes made for women shaped like that.
@Cheekie,
waaaaay extra late and all kinds of tardy to the party, but thanks.
While browsing through my email this morning I saw the headline for this blogpost and had to come check this out. I enjoy reading Very Smart Brothas outlook and perspective on topics. Aside from chatting about the new video with fam and friends this is the first ‘official’ opinion I’ve read. I love the new direction Erykah took in this video. Even more I really love the song. She really does get ‘a pass’. Great post!
@Erika- Her Shoe Addiction, Inc,
welcome and shit (i think), and thank you for leaving a comment that sounds more like a prepared press release than an actual comment
I thought the video was cool and I get the message but I admit I am biased. At this point the woman could pee on a canvas and I would fall in line and say it’s art. But in a world with talent less (Rhianna) and personality less (Beyonce) one dimensional CARICATUREs of femininity, I love that this 39 year old woman with the baby daddies, the revolutionary spirit, wigs, gold teeth and head wraps in many ways represents the multilayered, ever changing, creative, cunning, nurturing, uncompromising, refuse to fall in line, sometimes contradicting aspects of black womanhood that I and many of my friends love. AND she’s is all those things while at times, as Method Man said, rocking three fourths of cloth never showing her stuff off, boo (well, until this video).
Have you heard her ‘Soldier’? Man, it makes me feel good about being a black man….. like she understands
Her songs say that she’s unwilling to fall in line and be anyone’s victim, standing helplessly waiting for someone to put a ring on it. I’d probably change my style of dress, religion, eating habits and lifestyle for this woman and I am very stubborn and set in my ways. For this reason she scares the hell out of me too but I would loooooooove to sit and learn from her and talk with her.
3000, Common, D.O.C., dude from DeadPrez, and Jay Electronica. That ain’t Jay-Z, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, and whoever else. These brothers are layered, uncompromising and for real and two of them I know women lose their minds over. All these dudes speak highly of her and two of them seem to be better men and rappers after her. I went to one of her concerts and almost every man in attendance stood up and saluted her after she gave brothers encouragement. It seems like she figured out a long time ago how powerful and influential a woman can be. She has us talking in ways no one except maybe a solid state Lauryn Hill could. A very very dangerous woman. I love it and I drank the kool-aid!
@Dave,
“Have you heard her ‘Soldier’?”
This is one of my top 10 favorite songs from her.
@miss t-lee,
Sister, one of my boys who is not a fan of hers came to me one day and said “Listen to this, my dude. This is for us.” I had no clue what he was going to play but when that Jay Electronica drum came in I knew the song. We listened quietly and after the first chorus and said, ” We need more of this.” Very powerful and dangerous song. I’m drinking the Kool-Aid now.
@Dave,
That song is so real. Especially the lyrics.
That’s why I will ride for Erykah because when she’s on, she on.
@Dave, “Soldier” is a great song, but “That Hump” is my ish. Those were two of the few songs I like from her last cd.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
Don’t forget “Telephone”, love that one.
“That Hump” was cold too.
@miss t-lee,
cold is a good word for that song.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
Initially those where the only two I liked and it grew on me after several listens. I just poured another glass of kool-aid. Red.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E., Don’t forget “Twinkle” too. I swear the chant spoke to my DNA
@Dave,
At this point the woman could pee on a canvas and I would fall in line and say it’s art.
Lol! I am biased as well… and I friggin’ agree with everything you just said. Please, finally a video that is not formulaic and we are still not satisfied? Ok, so what IS a good video at this point? And no, it’s not ok to bring up old school videos, we’ve heard it all before (no Sunshine Anderson)…
When I saw the video last week I really couldn’t get the message. I understood the Kennedy assasination theme upfront. But I couldn’t get the groupthink idea. I think it is safe to say that Erykah Badu is a true artist. I think at times people give some folks the “deep” pass when what they do isn’t really deep. This could be one of those moments. People tend to see a woman with a headwrap or afro or a dude with dreads and smelling oils and think they are some type of soulful deep thought person. A lot of these mofos are the biggest BSers. I don’t think she did this for shock value because she has never been an artist that was on TV, magazines, and other media excessively.
@Humble_One, She’s said that she chose that spot because groups gather there as a tourist destination. Also, the idea that the group (many, or most people in this country) would wind up wanting to “assassinate” her for doing this.
This is a genious publicity stunt. I must give it to the woman…she has everyone’s attention.
“there’s no doubt in my mind that the general sentiment would be much less supportive if keri hilson or nicky minaj or ciara or anyone else not named erykah badu or india.arie or jill scott pulled a similar stunt.”
I agree that if any R&B chick was to do this, Al Sharpton, the NAACP, and other music artists would be protesting. It would be seen as filthy and setting black women back another 50 or so years. But not with Badu.
It is interesting to me that India.Arie went off on her twitter page about the Lady Gaga and Beyonce’ (if she even counts) “Telephone” video. She was so outraged that she posted a statement to her fans. Where is she now? Does she not want to speak out against another “neo-soul” singer? Erykah is getting a pass because she burns incense on stage and is an “artist”.
I love the song. I don’t have any strong feelings on the video, itself, though. I do think fans feel like they have to love the video to be a true Badu fan. It is not that original, didn’t Alanis Morrisette do this like 10+ years ago?
@Pecola Breedlove,
Love your screen name.
@miss t-lee, I love it too.
@Pecola Breedlove,
“It is interesting to me that India.Arie went off on her twitter page about the Lady Gaga and Beyonce’ (if she even counts) “Telephone” video. She was so outraged that she posted a statement to her fans. Where is she now? Does she not want to speak out against another “neo-soul” singer? Erykah is getting a pass because she burns incense on stage and is an “artist”.”
Hmm, interesting point. I mean, even if Gaga may not be as deep as Erykah, they’re both kinda nuts. And I can argue that why Gaga may be more sexualized (for some reason), I think she goes into her videos with creative intent as well, not just to show some flesh.
@Cheekie,
I am definitely not saying that Badu and GaGa on the same level. They both have like you said “creative intent” but one is just considered more deep than the other. GaGa has pushed the limits more than once, though. I wonder what will be next…
@Pecola Breedlove,
Alanis was written off a a crazy white girl. Plain and simple. “we” on the other hand do do “that type of stuff”…
And I don’t think fans feel like they “have to love the video” to feel like true fans. I consider myself a fan, but if I said I loved everything she’s done, I’d be lying.
@Deviant,
that was supposed to be DON’T do “that type of stuff”
@Deviant,
Great point. I guess now we have to rethink who has had a pass all along. I love Alanis though.
And yeah, you probably are not lying about not liking all of her stuff. Some others are though. They were undecided until they heard others bring in the JFK element. But a fan is a fan.
I like the song LOL….miss T-lee….I copped the cd, but really haven;t had a chance to get into it yet. I also got the Wu-Massacre with the Ghostface cover of course.
@Orangestar Happy Hunting,
I knew you would rep the Wu. Espcially the GFK cover! I haven’t had a chance to listen or cop that one yet.
Where’s the 616? LOL
@miss t-lee, the 616 is me all day erry day.. Haven’t listened yet but I heard Mr.Starks has a dolo track on there, that alone, makes it worth purchasing…..plus I also heard Meth goes hard thru out.
@Orangestar Happy Hunting,
Hmmm. *intrigued*
@Orangestar Happy Hunting,
*preparing to cop that immediately*
@Orangestar Happy Hunting,
I also got the Wu-Massacre with the Ghostface cover of course.
i listened to a preview of it on amazon last night. i wish they would have recorded more tracks
Champ, your writing in the post is golden!
Watching Erykah’s video, was like the watching girl you work with thats very conservative, and hides everything well,…then you catch her at the company picnic – by the pool, in a 2piece, nice! Who knew Erykah’s vegan/incense lifestyle could afford such a fried chicken booty?
Obviously, this video was carefully thought out and rehearsed. Typical Badu would not have been noticed so something earth-shattering HAD to be done. That beautiful bump @ the bottom of her back cannot and will not be denied, and after the 12th time of watching the 2nd half of this video, I will bypass the bootleg dude on the corner to go to BestBuy and purchase this CD. Her @ss deserves it. It’s singlehandedly saving Neo-Soul music and we should thank her.
@DirtyJerz, She’s been hiding her rump since teh beginning, but teh signs have alwasy been there. Even in the On And On video, there’s a scene where she bends over to feed the cows, and you can see the ever-so-faintly visible light playing off the cleft of her massive hindparts. It was most thrilling (c) Prince Akeem.
@Scipio Africanus,
“you can see the ever-so-faintly visible light playing off the cleft of her massive hindparts. It was most thrilling”
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
@DirtyJerz,
I will bypass the bootleg dude on the corner to go to BestBuy and purchase this CD
good use of alliteration and…
“Her @ss deserves it”
…punctuation.
@DirtyJerz,
Her @ss deserves it. It’s singlehandedly saving Neo-Soul music and we should thank her.
Love it!
Maybe I’m confused but isn’t the “it wasn’t all that” cosign-age exactly what group think is? Badu made a video about being assassinated for being herself and that’s exactly what’s happening. Self-fulfilling prophecy? Maybe? Why won’t you let Erykah be great? Or at least let Erykah be Erykah?
I guess I’m lucky I watched the video in a vacuum before the hype started. I wasn’t tainted by anyone’s opinion. I watched and didn’t really react to the undressing until I saw bra straps and was like she wouldn’t… But she did. Because she’s Erykah f*cking Badu and unlike the rest of us she had the balls and the money (for the impending fines and legal fees) to pull it off. I can’t think of any other Black female artist that would do that sh*t in a completely non-sexual manner. Not one that would just be like “You know what? I should just start pulling off my clothes while I’m walking.”
The JFK thing didn’t even hit me until they panned out. I couldn’t make out the words bleeding from her head. I think the “EVOLVING” written on her back was more telling than anything. And like most truth, people missed the point. If she hadn’t gotten naked and had just said what she was trying to convey, it would have been dismissed and you’d all go back to being sheep.
@deviant,
this girl is awesome.
@Random Nimrod,
I agree.
@Random Nimrod,
I concur.
@deviant,
“I couldn’t make out the words bleeding from her head.”
Yeah me either. I didn’t realize they were even words until I read an article about it later. They said “groupthink” which is pretty dope.
“I can’t think of any other Black female artist that would do that sh*t in a completely non-sexual manner. ”
Actually, same here. And the stocking cap was a nice touch. Very laid-back and it made me focus more on the meaning of the video.
@deviant,
Maybe I’m confused but isn’t the “it wasn’t all that” cosign-age exactly what group think is?
I should have read you before typing my post below!!
On- motherfuck’n-point… as usual.
this thread EXPLODED with comments on Erykah Badunk.
loves her! she might be too deep for my taste tho’
@jenifer daniels,
lol, i wouldnt call this an explosion. more like a firecracker firecracking
welcome and shit, btw
Yes.. I agree.. although a super dope move… Erycah does get a pass because she’s….well, you know… Erycah… And let’s face it folks: she’s not too hard on the eyes.
In a way I think we are all hypocrites, because we know damn well if Jennifer Hudson or Queen Latifah would’ve tried that shit.. we would not have said it was cute, artistic, brave, or none of that shit. It would be controversial for a whole NOTHER reason. Obama prabably even wouldv’e sound off about that one. .
@Brettandthecity,
I like how u refuse to spell her name right. “Erycah” O__o
@Luvvie,
lol
What’s funny is that it’s still a wonky way to spell it. I could see if they refused to call her Erykah* and said “Erica”. lol
*I like the way she spells her name, by the way.
Haaaaaa!!!! I was waiting for this post and shit. Since I know how much yall love Badu.
#2 is a good point, I don’t think it would have been the same argument if Keri Hilson, or Nicki Minaj did this. But really….they wouldn’t have did a video like this and in the same manner, hence the message would not have been the same. But I feel ya the messager does matter…
Loved the video for many of the reasons you loved it, minus the love for her derriere. However, I can’t front as a new mother of one her body amazes me…might just have to check out the vegatarian lifestyle after all.
@TiP,
But I feel ya the messager does matter…
my cuz said the same thing to me last night. basically, the messenger matters because it provides context. i dont know if i agree completely, but i see her point
And not only did she sleep adn have babies with rappers, but she did it with a range of rappers. The daggone D.O.C!?!!!?!?! If her next baby winds up being with Melle Mel or T La Rock, I won’t EVEN be surprised.
@Scipio Africanus,
“If her next baby winds up being with Melle Mel or T La Rock,”
I was thinking more along the lines of her getting with Raheem the Dream, Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew, or the pimp dude from Dirty.
*singing* “Here we is boooy!”
i want to buy erykah badu’s ass a chicken dinner and never call it again. we need it. hell, i need it. i’m a mess without it. i miss it so damn much. i miss being with it, i miss being near it. i miss its laugh. i miss its scent; i miss its musk. in fact, when this all gets sorted out, erykah badu’s ass and i should probably get an apartment together.
love Love LOVE the “Anchorman” reference! It made my soul cackle!
@K to the…, Co-sign on the Anchormanage. (oops, more of that group think)
It’s good to start your day with thoughts of Dorthy Mantooth.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
Ain’t nobody a saint like Dorothy Mantooth!
@Luvvie,
lets leave mothers out of this
“mind you, i’m not passing judgment on the artistic merit of the video, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the general sentiment would be much less supportive if keri hilson or nicky minaj or ciara or anyone else not named erykah badu or india.arie or jill scott pulled a similar stunt.”
To be clear, them fools wouldn’t make such a move. So…yea.
Also – in defense of Ciara : “Like A Boy” was her great artistic statment. Basically i know you mofos think i’m a man or a lesbian so let me fuck wit your perceptions with the greatest pop dance video concept in a decade. and i know you’ll miss it because I’m Ciara and … well, I’m Ciara
@Tyler,
To be clear, them fools wouldn’t make such a move. So…yea.
hmmm, you sure about that?
I was lookin’ forward to your take on this, and you followed-through. Great post, Champster (though, Panama probably woulda did better…#ikid I wouldn’t liked each of yours equally)
“mind you, i’m not passing judgment on the artistic merit of the video, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the general sentiment would be much less supportive if keri hilson or nicky minaj or ciara or anyone else not named erykah badu or india.arie or jill scott pulled a similar stunt.”
I think this is largely because Keri, Nicki and Ciara’s respective images are already based on sex. So, if they went down the street and took their clothes off and even had the exact same theme going on, people would look at the sexual image first. I mean, hell, most people are talking about the sexual factors of Erykah’s video and that wasn’t even mainly her point. It would be even more so if any of the former ladies did it. And yeah, the female reaction would be different, too. Because Erykah is well known for not just making a video just for the sake of showing her assets, she goes into a video or a song knowing that she wants to express herself creatively and eff anyone who doesn’t accept her kookiness.
@Cheekie,
@Cheekie,
Well said. There is a huge difference in that comparison. What depth have Keri Hilson and Ciara displayed that would allow them to do this in a way that is perceived as anything but sexual? I would say that they are too young for it but Lauryn Hill was about their age when her album came out. Despite being attractive Badu is sexy simply because she make it seem like she aint trying. That affords her a lot of creative flexibility in a music industry that is over saturated with questionable sexiness from females and males a like.
Niki Minaj? No comparison to Badu at all. Her last name is Minaj and she calls herself Niki Lewinsky. I wish her all the success but she limited her scope as soon as she took the name. Sex is all she can sell.
@Dave, contrivance honey, is never sexy IMO, it offers only the illusion but is never quite as true as being naturally so, like breathing.
Alot of folks have yet to discern the diff and may never LOL
@Orangestar Happy Hunting,
My goodness yes, sister….like breathing….
that easy.
@Dave,
“There is a huge difference in that comparison. ”
Exactly. Which is why I wouldn’t even call it a double standard. In order for something to truly be a double standard, IMO, both respective parties have to be similar in some aspect. It’s like saying it’s a double standard because the murderer got a longer sentence than the thief. The two parties have to be on equal footing, IMO.
“Despite being attractive Badu is sexy simply because she make it seem like she aint trying.”
This is a great point and I think it’s one of the reasons why men love her.
@Cheekie,
“I think it’s one of the reasons why men love her.”
It’s most def one of the reasons why I am face in the Kool-Aid.
@Cheekie,
well, if they ciara or nicki comparison doesnt work, how about alicia keys? do you think the response would have been the same?
@The Champ,
Hmm, that might be a better comparison. Because while Alicia Key IS sexualized, she does have meaning to her songs and is more respected as a musician/artist (in terms of the actual craft). I’m actually not sure how one would react to her other than shock because other than her painted-on Couture Cameltoe edition jumpsuits, she’s kinda conservative.
once again i agree with you 100%.
i think it would be better received than say beyonce because a. keys has shown depth since the first song. the pictures she paints in regards to how men and women interact is more real to me. the dudes in her songs are real men (no halos) and the women deal with love, lose, strength, weakness and perseverance in real ways (Im gonna find a way to make it). she has purposely it seems not allowed herself to become a doll in a box which give her more creative license.
then again I am biased here too. I sipped that Kool-Aid back when she had braids.
FYI
I’m not buying her album. I have no plans to even listen to it. I still haven’t seen the video and I have no plans to make any sort of effort to do so.
I got that Wu Massacre tho. I will get the Big Boi when it comes out.
enjoy your day knee grows.
@Random Nimrod,
thanks?
@The Champ,
my bad I wasn’t knockin your post. I’m an accidental douche sometimes. I agree with you on the heat check thing when it comes to Badu. I think tho if she had no backyard (or too much) there would’ve been a negative backlash of a different kind.
Lebron will be doin his heat check is the finals this year.
I’m kamakula!
@kamakula,
For some reason, this cracked me up. Probably because:
A.) It’s random and I love me some random.
B.) I pictured you standing up in a classrom and saying this a la the schoolkids at the end of “X”.
@kamakula,
And you rule!
Can anyone name the last hot artistic black song/artist/rapper/film they saw/heard in the last 15 yrs? I ask this cuz I feelin like we as a ppl really are cynical toward art. Take Scarface a terrible film but loved by perhaps many on this blog. But it was rife with plot holes and was Pachino’s worst proformance I have always felt if you replace drugs with say money laundering and make the Tony an Irish dude we as a generation wouldn’t have overrated a mediocre film.
@temps,
one of the hottest black songs I heard was janelle monae, sincerely jane. hotness, I just listened to it today and like the fact that she’s contemporary and a true artist, to me.
The 90s had PLENTY of great songs and artists, who had vocal, songwriting and instrumental ability so there are good artists out there in the last few years if you know where to listen. In the 200s I been rockin to Calvin Richardson, N’Dambi, Hill St.Soul, Busdriver, Alice Smith, the Noisettes, Rashaan Patterson and that’s just a few. Viacom will make you cynical, lol.
@RocktheCatbox, Janelle is def def on that next sh*t, I became a serious fan @ first listen almost two years ago, two weeks ago finally saw her live to my delight…can’t wait for AcrhAndroid. Folk need that “Metropolis”, her grammy nominated EP on deck also.
I don’t limit art ot race, I have to mention Esthero, just BRILLIANTLY makes the most beautiful soul soothing thought provoking far out side the box music, since the mid 90′s only two cd’s deep supposed to be working on a third.
these are two of my favorites ever.
@RocktheCatbox, I agree. Janelle Monae is the next best artistic black singer. At some point I thought Santigold was getting there, but I’m not impressed with her anymore…
@temps,
I preferred Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco.
@temps,
“I ask this cuz I feelin like we as a ppl really are cynical toward art”
That’s the wonderful thing about art, everyone doesn’t have to like it. If you stroll through a gallery and you talk about an oil painting of a rubber ducky, then part of that artists job is done. People have the right to be cynical. We can give Ms. Badu’s video the Joesy Wales face the same way people gave Huey Freeman’s Christmas play the side eye. The limited audience got his point therefore Huey considered his play a success.
I’ll give you a black film that I liked but a lot of people didn’t although it’s more than 15 years old. “Daughters of the Dust”. I was about a small segment of SC’s black population that many people could give four craps about, but I liked it.
Yes, I will agree with you about Scarface. There were so many holes in that film, but it is beloved by the masses. If Scarface was orginally made today it would go straight to dvd. Many of the most beloved films are flawed. (see, Perry, Tyler)
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
“That’s the wonderful thing about art, everyone doesn’t have to like it”
and there you have it, the beauty of it is in the personal interpretation, as only seen/felt thru the unique perspective of the individual..its all in how you receive it, even if the artist sets out to provoke a certain response.
@Wuyoung Agent of M.E.,
“That’s the wonderful thing about art, everyone doesn’t have to like it.”
And BINGO was his name-o. You nailed it with that one sentence. Art is the epitome of subjective.
@Cheekie, “That’s the wonderful thing about art, everyone doesn’t have to like it.”
As an artist myself, it’s a statement that I constantly have to remind myself, that not everyone will like your sh*t
@temps,
Oh yeah…and Georgia Anne Muldrow is ridiculous talent!
@temps,
I prefer the GF 1 and 2 Pacino.
*notice I left out GF3…lmao
@temps,
Take Scarface a terrible film but loved by perhaps many on this blog
you get no arguments from me. scarface sucked.
@The Champ,
Scarface is one of those “Damn, you NEVER seen that movie??!” films for me. I’ve never seen it. Even when I was going through an “all Italian mob films” kick after seeing Goodfellas. I never had a real desire. Like, I meant to, but never did. lol
@The Champ,
Scarface was entertaining. It was not a good movie.
my thoughts were a little different.
1 – ‘hey, that’s dallas. wait.. that’s where JFK got popped. oh, i see where this is going.’
2 – ‘lol you see that woman grab up her kid like her kid was a purse and badu was a black man in a dark alley?’
3 – ‘omg dont she have like 32 kids?? where did she carry them?? in her dreadlock lacefront??’
4 – ‘she’s not gonna get all the way naked, is she?’
5 – ‘…well then. who’s printin up the ‘FREE BADU’ tshirts when she gets clanked for indecent exposure?’
(i got them tshirts one for $5, two for $8 if anybody’s interested btw)
@Brokey McPoverty,
U’s a bitness woman. I like yo style. How much is 3 tshirts? $9? Put me on.
@Brokey McPoverty,
“(i got them tshirts one for $5, two for $8 if anybody’s interested btw)”
You got a pack of socks and facetowels, too? Oh, and gimme a pack of that penny candy (fruities or chews).
Seriously, I like how you think. Ahead of the game and ish.
@Brokey McPoverty,
Ok, you are always making me chuckle!! Thanks for the funny.
@Brokey McPoverty,
Can I get my shirt in a BaduNeoSoulTieDyePreShrunkSlightlyFadedWithAnAfroLadyThrowingUpTheFist fitted tee? M/L please. And thank you.
**CLAP CLAP CLAP**
I give you a standing ovation for this one champ. I’m thoroughly amazed at how hard I laughed at this post but overall agreed with the points made. Thank you for making my morning, “they” were stressing me today.
@OftenConfused,
thanks and shit
First, ROTFL at this post. I think it’s dope when somebody wakes up and says, watch me do whatever the hell I want, and then does it. The number one reason I am a fan is that she is certified bat-shit, as Muze stated, and crazy famous people intrigue me, particularly when even her more mediocre music doesn’t piss me off to hear, I fux with everything she’s put out on the basis that I just like her and wish we were friends because there would never be a dull moment, lol. She’s not a brilliant vocalist but a lot of her shit is just cool to listen to and at this present time, I want to listen to some cool shit, socially consious, message-laden or not. I think she lives in a celebrity bubble like everyone else (they way bey’s people constantly tell her she’s beautiful and smart, I’m sure erykah’s people lie to her about being sane and deep) so that she may honestly believe certain gestures have more import than they actually do. But when you are a rock star, you can take champagne baths, have four-ways every third tuesday and name your kids Grapenut McFrenchfry, just for the fuck of it.
@RocktheCatbox,
i take champagne baths too. actually, its really just a couple bottles of flat ginger ale, but its still the same concept
Whether people like it, love it, hate it or are indifferent I think it puts E. Badu on the same platform as D’Angelo when the “How does it feel?” video it tha scene…it’s getting people to talk. Xcately what she wanted! Well done Badu..well done indeed.
@Tx10inch,
good point. although i like her music, i probably wouldnt have devoted 900 words to her if not for this video
Awesome post! Love the song, have been rocking it for a minute now, but the video was meh to me. I “get” it, I guess. But I don’t love it. And yet people are ready to write their thesis on what her walking down the street and stripping means to the Black woman’s image. M’kay. Whatever. If you like it, I love it.
Oh but your line about not looking E. Badussy in the eye – classic! Raphael Saadiq said the same! Said when he first met her, he was all nervous and wasn’t making eye contact. She was like, “boy what’s wrong with you?” He say, “they told me not to look you in the eye.” Indeed. But also, maybe, don’t watch her walk away. Tee hee.
@Rum Punch,
But also, maybe, don’t watch her walk away. Tee hee
yeah. i think thats were the real danger lies. i went home and re-arranged all of my shoeboxes after watching this video, and i still have no idea why i did this
@Rum Punch,
“She was like, “boy what’s wrong with you?” He say, “they told me not to look you in the eye.” Indeed. But also, maybe, don’t watch her walk away. Tee hee.”
You may be on to something. She probably hooks you with the eyes and lock you in when she turns around. You may be able to escape her if she doesn’t reveal her backside.
LOL@ “buying her behind a chicken dinner.. and never calling it again”.. and everything that came after.. i strive to have an a** like hers.. yoga helps a lot.. lol
several thoughts o mine..
1. is this a “Real” video?? what the hell..
2. that bass line is BUMPIN! i can gets with this..
3. that was a BURBERRY coat.. i hope that chick running behind her pickin up stuff works for the Badu camp..
4. this video is SO MUCH MORE than this woman getting nekkid..
5. LOOK AT THAT WAGON SHE DRAGGIN!!!
6. there is NO WAY that these people are just “people on the street” (she claimed they didn’t know.. it was shot guerrila (sp?) style)
7. ooohhh… so many people are gonna be mad at this one..
abelleinbk wrote about this on sunday.. and they’ve been arguing about it ever since.. granted, i’m not sure the video matched the words.. but don’t artists get artistic licenses?? and once we get past the fact that she has a booty that i wish i had.. there’s a message to it.. i mean, if people will go to a museum to look at a pile of booboo.. then why can’t so many get past the fact that she’s nekkid..and listen to what she’s saying… she’s always been “out there” (as defined by the masses) this shouldn’t shock anyone..
“do what you do.. ms badu!”
@Nick_L_Odeon,
6. there is NO WAY that these people are just “people on the street” (she claimed they didn’t know.. it was shot guerrila (sp?) style)
i think the people who think it was staged and the people who think it wasnt are split into two even sections. personally, i rock for the people who think the “extras” had no idea what was going on
Re: Champ’s #3
She is a contradiction but I don’t hold that against her. We all are. Like I said earlier people see the natural hair and the way she dresses and come up with a whole persona. I grew up around these for lack of better term “afrocentric” or “neo-soul” type of people. They have the same drama and are on the same BS as NaKiesha and DaJuan. I thought there was a science with her having the multiple baby daddies. I thought she is trying to save hip-hop single handedly by breeding elite mc’s.
Re: Champ’s #5, 6, and 7
I totally feel you on these three. There have only been a handful of women that I have met that have made me scared to hook-up with. These chics are the ones that have dudes stalking, begging, signing over paychecks, and viloating all types of man-laws. I don’t know what she does to get men to flip the way they do. I do know a booty on a woman can be a very powerful. How does she get men to start dressing like muppets? Idk. I have a hunch it has something to do with incense, her booty, and vegeterian food.
@Humble_One,
I’m convinced that there is a meeting… a ninja meeting (since I’m not sure whether I’d be censored for calling it what it really is).
Anyway, at the meeting, all God’s ninjas gather for a (monthly, semi-annual, i don’t know) dissemination of pertinent ninja information. You circulate relevant news bytes and images (“gentlemen, meet Nicki Minaj. She has single-handedly increased the efficacy of our swift pursuit of the panties by 30%”). You chat about strategy changes and the like (“this quarter’s numbers indicate that we need to curb the growing affinity for the light-skinned ninja–arrange for Lance Gross to get more film roles”…or, “we’re editing the Rule book, page 74; we’re scratching out the text that reads, “feign an active disdain for giving oral sex until Date 7.”)
I know there is a book club for ninjas. I know there is a meeting.
I’m saying this to say, I googled this “foundation” business (see champ’s footnote 3), and I’ll be damned if I feel like I’m out of the loop. I know it’s some sh*t y’all talked about at The Meeting.
So, spill it. Thanks in advance.
@Penelope,
LOL.
“the foundation” is a term I created back in my early 20s. “the foundation” is when a woman is curvy but slim, or just slim. Once she has a kid(s) or gets on birth control she gets thick in the right places. It’s like having the body of Jessica Biel before children and having the body of Deelishis after. There is a little bit more to it but that is “the foundation” in a nutshell.
@Humble_One,
*lightbulb*
As in, building foundation. Word.
@Humble_One, many thanks.
Also, at the next Meeting, please pose the following “this-or-that” hypothetical to the ninjas:
By 40ish, does a ninja prefer the head of his wife (or Goldie Hawn-type significant other) on the body of Stacey Dash, or the aforementioned Erykah?
They can mull it over at the refreshment table (hot dogs and Budweiser, I know).
@Penelope,
Love it!
@Humble_One,
I thought there was a science with her having the multiple baby daddies. I thought she is trying to save hip-hop single handedly by breeding elite mc’s.
Bwahaha! But I can dig it…
Just like my girl LH is breeding elite musical artists!!!
@Sula, Just like my girl LH is breeding elite musical artists!!!
You stole the words right out of my mouth lol
@Humble_One,
“I thought she is trying to save hip-hop single handedly by breeding elite mc’s.”
Hmm, this is a genius theory.
@Humble_One,
I thought there was a science with her having the multiple baby daddies. I thought she is trying to save hip-hop single handedly by breeding elite mc’s.
I… Am…Done!! ROTFLMAO!!
Badu being naked in her video changes nothing in my life. I haven’t even seen it And probably won’t – at least not intentionally.
This is just one of those things that I file under “WhoGivesAFck?” and keep it moving.
@SexyCool,
“Badu being naked in her video changes nothing in my life.”
Mine, either*. Nor does a lot of things I discuss in general. I just like to discuss ish. lol
*Ok, MAYBE it made me curious as to what my ass-to-waist ratio truly is and considered getting out a measuring tape, but I thought better of it and decided to
wait until some able-bodied, eligible man-meat offers to measure it for mewatch TV.I think besides the so called “head wrappers central”, there is also another group of snobs who came out as a result of this video (and all the talk it created): the peopel who think they are actually “more enlightened” than the masses AND the so-called “artsy” folks… You know the person who can still offer a critic even if they “looooove” EB and offers it as a disclaimer…. I will call this phenomenon RobertEbert-ism… whereas they assess their “superiority” by not thinking like the mass and going against the grain… Look, we are all snobs in some aspects or the other… and it’s ok. It’s life… I just found this particular phenom prevalent as a reaction to this particular video…
I personally like the video… for several reasons. The concept is cute, it mashes one of the most popular videos of our time (Matt and Kim’s) with rock n roll (EB) and history (JFK dying spot)… Cute concept. The song is breezy and cool, old, typical Badu… and she looks good and confident enough to pull it through…
Nobody ever mentions the end of the video, where she resurrects from a cemetery wearing a different garment and hairstyle…
All that to say, “righteousness” and “morality” will always be at qualms with “art” and “freedom of expression”… It’s what they do.
The message is still relevant though… we need to sift through our belief system and weed out which of our beliefs are issued from “groupthink” (think churches etc…) and which ones are truly, undoubtedly our own…
p.s: if anything, EB will make a lot of black women (i really mean this black woman) recommit to workout… hard!!!. Ha!
@Sula,
think besides the so called “head wrappers central”, there is also another group of snobs who came out as a result of this video (and all the talk it created): the peopel who think they are actually “more enlightened” than the masses AND the so-called “artsy” folks… You know the person who can still offer a critic even if they “looooove” EB and offers it as a disclaimer…. I will call this phenomenon RobertEbert-ism… whereas they assess their “superiority” by not thinking like the mass and going against the grain… Look, we are all snobs in some aspects or the other… and it’s ok. It’s life… I just found this particular phenom prevalent as a reaction to this particular video
lol, this is the best backhanded compliment/subtle diss i’ve ever received. thanks. and thanks for citing roger ebert as well (who i think is one of americas greatest living writers)
@The Champ,
Seriously that was so not my intention…
I genuinely liked the post!!
@Sula,
“I will call this phenomenon RobertEbert-ism… whereas they assess their “superiority” by not thinking like the mass and going against the grain…”
I have a plan to write a post about those who go against the grain thinkin’ their so nonconformist and unique. Nah, last time I checked “being unique” is a trend. So, FAIL. lol
@Sula,
LOL @ “head wrappers central”. I think sometimes people make fashion out to be more than what it is… I know plenty of head wrapped, dreaded cats who are about as deep as a teaspoon.
I think most people think they are more enlightened than the masses and it doesn’t help that surround themselves with idiots. But a wise (wo)man knows that (s)he knows not seeks to learn. I think the mistake in our quest to be wise – which Is what I think people mistakenly call “deep” – is that we try to teach others things they really need to learn for themselves.
@Deviant, LOL @ “head wrappers central”. I think sometimes people make fashion out to be more than what it is… I know plenty of head wrapped, dreaded cats who are about as deep as a teaspoon.
Ok so my philosophical question is, what is deep? And why are people associating headwrappers and locs as deep people?
@T,
Exactly. That was the point I was making. Which is why I said I think people mistakenly say “deep” when they mean “wise”…
People who dress in pseudo African garb or talk in staccato are not the sage mystics people make them out to be.
@T & Deviant,
And why are people associating headwrappers and locs as deep people?
Exactly.
Jill Scott said it at one of her concert, when she was commenting on “Gettin’ in the way”… Natural Hair and locks does not a deep individual make… We are all humans…
What I can’t get over is that prison issue stocking cap on her head the whole time…
way to be revolutionary looking like mammy. smfh.
AND… she’s been doing performances in a wig that can only be described as a mix between Rick James (b*******tch) and My Little Pony.
@JessKnowsBest,
lol, i see someone didnt renew their membership to the erykah badu fan club
@The Champ,
I actually love erykah.
i just have a tendency to get completely distracted by one detail which ruins the WHOLE enchilada for me.. much to the annoyance of knightnick at the top. *shrug*
unlike stans, i can admit when an artist i like/love is doing the fool ie Beyonce acting in ANYTHANG including that gaga vid. LOL
@JessKnowsBest,
I’m rollin’….LOL
@JessKnowsBest,
“AND… she’s been doing performances in a wig that can only be described as a mix between Rick James (b*******tch) and My Little Pony.”
I am in tears. You accurately described that plaited monstrosity.
Erykah went on Chelsea Lately wearing that isht. I telepathically sent a message to Chelsea to just ignore all of the bull going on with Erykah’s head. Didn’t help *kicking rocks*. Chelsea gave the semi-awkward hair compliment that some white girls give to black girls. “I like your hair…?…?…?”
LOL
oh miss badu badu bad-you!
wen all is said n done, it’s still a heck of a way to de-lurk after rearing 3 kids & entering ur 40s, what! gotta luv her 4 it.
i read smewhere that wen asked about the innocent kids seeing her nekedness she said, “i tried 2 telepathically communicate my good intent to them. that’s all i could do & i hoped they wouldn’t be traumatized”.
i can just see it…
mummy: “billy, cover ur eyes — don’t look!
billy: “it’s ok ma, she’s in my head telling me all her good intents. u don’t need 2 worry about shrink bills, ma. am gonna be alright!”
don’t know if that quote is furr real but if it is, u gotta luv her more! lol
@georgie, i read smewhere that wen asked about the innocent kids seeing her nekedness she said, “i tried 2 telepathically communicate my good intent to them. that’s all i could do & i hoped they wouldn’t be traumatized”.
i can just see it…
mummy: “billy, cover ur eyes — don’t look!
billy: “it’s ok ma, she’s in my head telling me all her good intents. u don’t need 2 worry about shrink bills, ma. am gonna be alright!”
LMfAO LOVE. IT. Erykah Badu tried to telepathically speak to the children… Gotta love it. Now I’m scared to listen to her music because whenever I do I fall in a deep trance…
I’d like to give the Heat Check Hall of Fame Award to R. Kelly, who should start calling his CDs “I DARE You to Buy this Sh*t.” And calling himself the Pied Piper during a pedo trial? He stays winning.
@ViK,
TFF.
@Deviant,
What’s TFF?
@ViK,
I vote for comment of the day. Hilarity.
p.s: I despise R. Kelly with my entire body *cue Jill Scott* from all the follicles to my toenails…
@Sula,
“p.s: I despise R. Kelly with my entire body *cue Jill Scott* from all the follicles to my toenails…”
What do you have against R-ra? You don’t like 40yr old men making music for teenagers?
@Humble_One,
You don’t like 40yr old men making music for teenagers?
I don’t like 40 yr old men doing teenagers. Blech. He repulses me.
don’t really feel like looking through all the comments but i don’t know if anyone caught the anchorman reference:
“i want to buy erykah badu’s ass a chicken dinner and never call it again. we need it. hell, i need it. i’m a mess without it. i miss it so damn much. i miss being with it, i miss being near it. i miss its laugh. i miss its scent; i miss its musk. in fact, when this all gets sorted out, erykah badu’s ass and i should probably get an apartment together.”
had me rolling. lol
and on the low i agree with you on number 6.
“while beyonce usually serves as black america’s patron paragon of paradoxy…” AAAAAAAAMEN!!! Miss I-dont-use-sex-to-sell-my-records-i-just-cant find-pants-that-fit-me-so -must-always-be-in-a-grownup-onesie-in-every-video.
this might have already been mentioned (work has hijacked my usual VSB morning read so i’m delayed..), but when Gagsters came out with Telephone, people lost their minds saying it was better than Thriller and will revolutionize music videos. It’s been said those people were shot down in cold blood later on for saying something so stupidly blasphemous…
So all this HOOPLA (and some of it within reason) over Badu (and i’m jealous of her ass..should be the ipod/bb screen saver/magnet on the fridge motivation to hit the gym..im jussayin…) REEKS of hypocracy on some levels. Would Gagreflex get fined? Probably not. And while Maude Flanders and co is screaming won’t someone think of the children…there are much BIGGER issues to deal with (like a 15yr girl who sold herself and her 7yo stepsister to get gang raped at a party in NJ).
*drops mic and exits stage left.
@Keisha Brown,
I saw that story on the ticker tape stream on CNN… I was wondering about why that wasn’t more important than, well, almost everything else they covered this morning?
I’ve gotta ask this: Why are so many sistas envious of “dat azz”…I thought most of “us” came out of the womb with those genes. You know how it went: Kema was the cutie…somewhat on the petite side, then all of a sudden over the summer, she just blossomed…well proportioned like pye-yowww. Now all the dude’s tombout she looks like she’s got that thigh-yowww!
Jennifer Lopez comes to mind now…as I remember how it seemed her assets brought nothin’ but mayhem…and I remember a few folks saying “Where in the hell have you all been?…Sistas had azz since Medieval Times.”
But yeah, my grandmother refers to women such as Erykah have birthed a few babies as “snap backahs”. hehehe…
On a serious note though, I hear you when it comes to more significant issues at hand. Because really with all the ruckus surrounding the nature of the video, not to sound too stringent…but I’oun wanna hear isht about folks expecting anything more from our youth…to include lack of accountability. So….
In reference to “she was just walking” : in the words of the late Bernie Mack (but) “You could see they/her ‘public’ hairs.” And public they were. LoL
@Ms. Butta’sWorth,
well i guess i should clarify, her ‘foundation’ and ‘ratio’ is better than my current, so it’s that i’m motivated by. i have an azz, but aint nothing wrong with wanting the whole body to look walk-down-streets-removing-clothing ready. lol.
Oh my gosh! Thank you, Champ, for peepin’ that energy in the Dave Chappelle Block Party film. I been tellin’ my homegirl that…
I feel your points. Especially the contradiction and I agree. I LOVE the video. I did have a moment, of “Wait, is she naked in front of them babies? Aww, eff it, it’s just a naked body.” I think I appreciate the video more after the context of the location, being where JFK was assassinated right across from where she is “shot” in the video and after reading her tweets online of her speaking with her kids, family, her childrens’ fathers, her thoughts as she was doing it, her concern that the kids walking when she was disrobing or disrobed wouldn’t be traumatized, and the bravery of risking arrest (and might still get fined) and modesty to do it. That entire experiment could have went wrong in so many ways.
Now the contradiction really comes into play when Erykah herself was on video saying folks should just do some “hoe sh*t in the next video and just be naked” as a laughable (it was funny) critique of folks doing too damn much. But that’s just what she did. Seems very, very contradictory, especially if someone else did it. But I ain’t mad. I still like the video.
Are there more newsworthy things to discuss in this world> yes.
Is Badu simply making maximum use of her uber-Baduishness> roger that.
Did even I as a straight ChocoLatina do a rewind on youtube just to take a second look at her booty?> umm, hellz yeah…
*runs away from the computer in shame… while on my way to buy Ms. Badu’s ass a lovely box of incense..*
Eff It…..I gotta step outside of my comfort zone for a minute cause it’s killing me now. Why are so many sistas sweatin Erykah’s cakes?? Am I the only chick holdin?? *confused look*
I liked the video, but I’m dreading the collective “I am an individual” drivel that this is going to cause on my newsfeed.
You’re not an individual if someone told you to be an individual. Sigh.
“i’m erykah f*cking badu. i have millions of die-hard fans, i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show” *DEAD*
OVAH! Y’all coulda dropped the mic right there ROFL. Love.it.
That 3-baby ass is riDONKulous. I always tell people when I see a fatty “That b*tch got bout 3 or 4 kids!”. Cuz either she got it FROM them, or she had it before and someone felt compelled to put some babies up in her!
But seriously, I agree. The song is cool and all, but this was all for controversy and shock to sell her album. This is the same Bamboo Earring-wearing Erica from Texas who was trying to be a rapper. That didn’t work so she got a headache, inhaled some incense, and created Baduizm. Yeah. Ok.
That was her last good album. I’m not a hater, just not a fan of the material she puts out or the schtick/gimick. Great voice though.
@Benee, That should read *headwrap*
And as a bi woman, I always appreciate a fat ass
This post wins, not only for the salient expression of the main topic, but for the seamless addition of the Champ Kind quotes.
Keep Anchorman alive.
Brilliant!
i didn’t read through all one hundred thousand comments to see if someone had already said this so, sorry if im beating a dead horse, but even though she is my idol, i think that erykah only did this video to 1. show you ALL that she has a bangin body after 3 kids and no husband and 2. to promote her new album. we all know she is an intelligent woman and she could have vividly made this exact same point in a hundred different ways, and without subjecting kids to nudity.
Well put brothas, the thing is right on all sorts of levels and you just covered most of them with this great post. Great read and keep up the good work!
” i single-handedly made a jersey-rocking rapper from atlanta start dressing like a drag-queen mannequin at an H&M fashion show…”
HAHA!
iHollered at #5 ROFLMMFAO
and you’re right Champ, the headwrap is definitely a pass….let Beyonce’ try some sh*t like public nudity! CAREER ENDER for them, CAREER BOOSTER for Ms.Badu!!
When I saw “Window Seat” and saw Erykah’s hind parts, I became angry because I realized I have been asleep for 14 years.
Was I the only brother that didn’t know Erykah Badu has a big ol’ butt?! Of course, that’s not a complaint. I will leave it at that.
I loved seeing the song live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It’s just out of control when Erykah and the Roots are in the same venue.
I am, to the death, a HUGE lover of erykah badu and her music. She like, Sublime, will never get old for me. HOWEVER, I just started watching the video for the 1st time and by the time she pulled off her shirt I started getting nausiated. When she pulled off her pants, I felt sick to my stomach. I didn’t wait any longer. I exited the video.
I have no clue why I feel disgusted…
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Dead at #5!!!