Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Among the crop of neo-soul singers, Erykah Badu remains at the forefront. The 39-year-old Dallas native has taken a stab at movies, garnered four Grammy Awards and unapologetically has three children by three notable music figures. Still, she stands ready to offer herself to her fans. Here, Blackvoices.com takes a look at Erykah Badu: Through the Years.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Erykah Badu, real name Erica Abi Wright, was born in Dallas. She began rapping at the age of 14 for a local radio station before deciding to change the spelling of what she called her slave name.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Badu briefly attended Grambling State University before working on a 19-song demo with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford. Her music then caught the attention of Universal Records exec Kedar Massenburg, who hooked Badu up with D'Angelo on a duet of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic 'Your Precious Love' before signing her to the label.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Badu's debut, 'Baduizm,' burst on the music scene, landing at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The triple-platinum album's lead single, 'On & On,' established her as one of the neo-soul singers to watch.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Badu's debut scored her four Soul Train Music Awards in 1998, the most trophies she received in her career from any single awards show.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Shortly after gaining worldwide fame, Badu became romantically involved with OutKast rapper Andre 3000 (legally known as Andre Lauren Benjamin). The two collaborated on several music projects. He appeared as her lover in the video for 'Next Lifetime'; she sang on 'Liberation,' a song from his group's 'Aquemini' album, and 'Humble Mumble' from its follow-up, 'Stankonia.'

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Badu reportedly named her firstborn Seven because "it's a divine number which can't be divided." She gave birth on the same day, November 18, 1997, as the release of her second album, 'Erykah Badu Live.'

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

In 1997, Badu became pregnant with her first child. She named her son Seven, and though she and Andre 3000 split shortly thereafter, they remain friends and raise their child between Atlanta, where Andre 3000 lives, and Dallas, where Badu lives.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

Badu made her feature film debut in the comedy 'Blues Brothers 2000.' Plenty of music stars made cameos in the film, including Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Blues Traveler. Badu played a voodoo practitioner named Queen Mousette who hosts the battle of bands competition.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years

The Roots, who served as producers on Badu's 'Baduizm' collaborated with the songstress on their 1998 single 'You Got Me,' featuring Badu and Eve. The track, co-written by Jill Scott, won a Grammy in 1999 for best rap performance by a duo or group.

Erykah Badu: Through the Years