Erykah Badu Pays Fine for Controversial Music Video

Erykah Badu will soon be able to put the onslaught of controversy surrounding her 'Window Seat' video behind her.

The 39-year-old Grammy Award winner debuted the video for the lead single from her fifth studio album, 'New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh),' in March and quickly made national news.

In the guerilla-style clip, helmed by Creative Control duo Coodie and Chike, the R&B singer, whose real name is Erica Abi Wright, strips her clothes while walking through downtown Dallas. The video culminates with the Dallas native falling onto the street nude at Dealey Plaza, the historic site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Badu did not obtain a permit to shoot the video.

Just one week after the video's Internet debut, Badu was faced with disorderly conduct charges, to which she plead not guilty.

Though she was facing up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, according to the Associated Press, on Aug. 13, she paid a $500 fine and will serve six months probation

The mother of three has stood firm in her belief that the video's artistic meaning was lost in the controversy of stripping nude.

"I look at some other videos. I'm not naming names, because I don't want that to be mentioned. There is the thing with sexuality. I'm naked for 13 seconds and these people are naked the whole time and gyrating...suggesting sex," Badu told Vibe magazine in her feature story, where she also posed nude.

"People are uncomfortable with sexuality not for male consumption. Could be 'cause I did it in public, too. Do you think people would have been complaining if I had on high-heel shoes?"

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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