Erykah Badu – On & On (Live)

Erykah Badu has something for everyone. A bit of old school soul, hip-hop, a raspy, Billie Holiday-esque voice, laid back grooves, consciousness raising lyrics and a taste in head gear that gives her a Marge Simpson silhouette.

1997 was a busy year for Badu. In February she released her debut album, Baduizm, and the original version of On & On, she toured extensively including appearances with acts as diverse as the Wu Tang Klan (on the Smokin’ Grooves Tour) and Sarah McLachlan (at Lilith Fair), she appeared on Busta Rhymes’ record, she released a live record in November, from which today’s track is taken, and she ended the year picking up piles of awards.

On the same day as the release of Baduizm Live Badu gave birth to her first son, with Andre ‘Outkast’ 3000, and ridiculously named him Seven. I say ‘ridiculously’ as ‘Seven’ is obviously a girl’s name. Presumably, his full name is Seven Badu-3000 which is bound to cause ‘I’m not a number, I’m a free man’-style teenage rants.

I’m all for giving children numbers instead of names. All the names I plan to give my children include numbers. I’m going to have two boys called Shenstone Pathfinder First XI Woodshed (after the West Midlands (Regional) League Division Two football team) and Commodore 64 Woodshed (after the prehistoric digital device) and a girl called Corel Suite 7 Woodshed (after the software package).

Erykah Badu – On & On (Live)

Buy Baduizm Live