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Days after premiering the video for 'Window Seat' -- the lead single from her newly released fifth studio album, 'New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh)' -- controversy has revolved around Erykah Badu.
As previously reported, the Grammy Award-winning singer enlisted the help of Creative Control duo Coodie and Chike to direct the clip, guerilla-style. In it, she strips off her clothes as she walks through downtown Dallas, and at the end of the video is naked lying on the street at Dealey Plaza, the historic site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The video, which hit the Internet via her Web site, ErykahBadu.com, on March 26 has since been taken down from YouTube by her record label Universal Music Group (Motown).
According to Dallas KXAS, authorities in the "Lone State" are now considering whether to charge the singer with indecent exposure. The 39-year-old 'On and On' singer escaped being seen by police the day of the video shoot, but if one witness comes forward, she could face up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Badu, who performed a secret show in New York over the weekend and one in Los Angeles earlier this week, is taking it all in stride. The mother of three -- legally known as Erica Abi Wright -- has said that she felt liberated after shedding her clothes.
"I feel like I shed a lot of things, confronted a lot of fears," she told BET.com. "I hope I spoke for women and men and people who feel trapped under their own coverings who wish to also be liberated."
Badu will continue making rounds on the talk show circuit. She will appear on' The Wanda Sykes Show' April 3, 'Chelsea Lately' April 5 and 'The Mo'Nique Show' April 6.
Her next live performance will be at Waterfront Theatre in Miami on April 8.
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Erykah Badu: Through the Years
Comments: (86)
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By: "T" on 3/31/2010 8:59PM
I absolutely love and adore Erykah Badu and her new video. Inspite the fact that the girl's body is banging and it is her "shocking" behavior I love most; there were children present during the shoot and I can't believe she did that in light of the fact that she has small children of her own. I'm afraid she needs to answer for her behavior. Her remarks thus far are just not enogh for me.
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By: NiecyC on 3/31/2010 9:54PM
There is nothing indecent about the human body. Just the fact that we act like there is is why so many people have sick perversions and the reason why so many have body issues.
I find it insane that people try to "protect the children" from the naked form while allowing them to play violent video games and watch BET.
Nudity does not automatically equal sex.
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By: "DimePiece" on 3/31/2010 10:20PM
But, there were children there? Yes, Badu is beautiful, talented but, she should have had respect for the children that were around the other people that just don't understand her lyrics and didn't ask to see this? This video could have been shot in a private area and I would have been fine with that. Yes, the naked body is a beautiful thing but, this was not the place for it. I am not hatin but, there are other ways to get your message out. I don't care if you are a celeb or not, it's dangerous to be flaunting around naked in public like that? There are crazy predators and stalkers around. Yes, she should be charged. I'm just sayin.
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By: Black Sunshine on 3/31/2010 11:39PM
Inspired by Matt and Kim's video? Didn't the two of them nearly get roughed up by the police near the ending in the video?
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By: marlene smith on 4/01/2010 12:26AM
Now come on people is she looking for attention that bad? I just dont understand why she had to go that far, You can sell CDs. with out taking off your clothes, oh well she can't sing any way.What a disgracefull scene. lock her up.
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By: Dr Rod on 4/01/2010 1:35PM
You must be a hip hop era person, but anyway you wouldn't know an artist/singer if they fell on you. you think that the rappers who degrade our women promote drugs, crime and lude sex act are great.
The human body should never be disgraceful and This beautiful black sista will always sell gold records and be nominated for awards.Thank you very much... I LUV YOUR DRAWrS ERYKAH(WHICH ARE NEVA DIRTY).
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By: NiecyC on 4/01/2010 5:02AM
So you're saying that predators and stalkers attack undressed women more often than fully clothed?
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By: "DimePiece" on 4/01/2010 3:13PM
Neicy girl,
You can be dressed or undressed and be stalked by a predator or one crazed fan. But been undressed and might having maybe that one CrAzY person in the crowd might set it off and take it to another level. Easy access. I don't care how many body guards Ms. Badu has? I'm concern about saftey of, and it is nothin wrong with that. That's what I'm sayin.
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By: Jason C on 4/01/2010 6:38AM
Its comments like these and others that may be the reason why she said what she said at the end of the video; think before you judge. The video fit the song, and that's the point. As far as children, they see enough nudity after school and before bedtime and it's probably no shock. People want to talk about respect but she isn't shaking it for dollars in the video and she isn't 'dropping it like its hot', so give it up. Keep giving your artistry to us, Erykah.
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By: Andre C on 4/01/2010 10:31AM
I agree with you Jason C. I mean be real its 2010 an in my guess children has already seen nudity, either tv or at school somewhere they have. Erykah was getting something out a different way. A way how she wanted to express how she felt, mind, body & soul. For people all over the world not just by mouth (speaking) or by writting down on paper. All I can say is you go gurl! And there was no police around thur the whole shoot, an kno one called the police, so if she is going to be charged it should just be a fine.
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