Flashback Friday: Erykah Badu “Mama’s Gun”
Erykah Badu is known as a neo-soul pioneer and for displaying artistry in a time when such appeared lacking in R&B. The genre seemed to be on its way to becoming an extension of hip hop while simultaneously birthing pop artists and new sub-genres. While Badu has even admitted that she’s not sure what it is, she is probably one of the main artists whose music was instrumental in defining neo-soul.
While some would argue that her debut LP was her best, and still others will laud her vocal display on her live album, many have slept on the overall creativity of Mama’s Gun. With its conceptual and poetic lyrics, thumping grooves and smoothed out melodies, accompanied by the distinct crooning of Badu’s mezzo-soprano timbre, this album is like a shot to the head of listening pleasure in any order or from beginning to end.
“Didn’t Cha Know” is heavy with Badu’s exposed vulnerability. Set to slow a pulsating baseline that elicits the feeling of a journey in time, Erykah’s takes us through her ups and downs as she endeavors to find her way through life and love. Sometimes confused, sometimes unsure which way to go, prone to mistakes but willing to take risk, you get a since of her yearning for understanding in this life uncertain when she sings:
Love is life and life is free
Take the road of life with me
Free your mind and find your way
There will be a brighter day.
Not to be taken for granted, Ms. Badu is “Cleva” and that is what makes her special. She may not be the most beautiful, the richest, most educated, the best cook, or have the biggest “Booty,” make no mistake that she is a rare treasure and could still pull your man, but doesn’t want him. With funky arrangements of wind instruments and percussion, she pines for divine love and someone to who will breath love in her air as well as stimulate her mentally in “Kiss Me on My Neck.”
If you want to feel me, better be divine
Bring me water, water for my mind
Give me lovin’, breath love in my air
Don’t abuse me, ’cause these herbs are rare.
From musings about the state of the world and her place in it in songs like “My Life” and “Time’s a’Waistin’”, to messages of empowerment in “Bag Lady” and “Penitentiary Philosophy”, to tales the of falling in and out of love in songs like “Orange Moon” and “Green Eyes”, Mama’s Gun was exhibition of poetic skill, rhythmic experimentation and abstract creativity. It is also one of the best LPs in her entire catalog in terms of really demonstrating Erykah’s depth and uncanny musical cunning.
Image via Newscom.
Tags: Flashback Friday, neo-soul, r&bRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Erykah Badu
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