erykah badu: spirituality & mindfulness in music
Through deep lyrical artistry in a
featured song titled 'On & On' within the 1997 album 'Baduizm', the queen herself Erykah Badu reveals her true consciousness
throughout her own life and what she stands for both as an activist and a mother. Her
belief that knowledge is power is mirrored through the words she so elegantly and
effortlessly sings, stating ‘peace and blessings manifest with every lesson
learned’ reiterating her very spiritual attachment to only earthly, mindful
subjects. On & On is a true reflection of the artist’s very innovative, genuine
spirit and humble soul whilst each song independently and
directly expose us to different characteristics of Badu’s morals, beliefs and spiritualistic quialities.
Frequent political and current significant social issues are raised and metaphorically disguised through
Erykah Badu’s music and in various music videos. Window Seat, a song listed on
Erykah’s ‘New Amerykah, Pt 2: Return of
the Ankh’ makes a strong reference to governmental and social hindrances
which may restrict spiritual development or revolution, two life principles Ms Badu so strongly acquires. In the music video for ‘Window
Seat’ Erykah is seen stripping naked along a plaza in Dallas, suggesting that
she refuses to be restrained by societal rules and regulations, stating in her
own words that the lyrics and video signified ‘liberating yourself from layers
and layers of skin or demons’ and so her automatic thought was to physically start
stripping in an artful way, regardless of what consequences occurred - for her it was all worth it.
Music aside, Bella’s guru guidance
is truly a gift she has inherited through knowledge and experience, and in this
way, has taken it upon herself to create ‘The
Paradigm of Joy’, a personal essay for ‘Essence
Magazine’ based around self-acceptance and embracing joy into your life.
The article questions how us as humans can manage to detach from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and focus on improving our inner and emotional state. Badu
wholeheartedly embraces the belief of belonging to yourself before anyone
else, proving that to achieve true joy we must follow honest acceptance in who we
are individually and not in the ‘avatars we’ve created to define ourselves’. It
is in this way that my everlasting admiration for Erica Wright grows in acknowledgement of
all her self-love and grounded attributes alongside her liberal artistry that will forever be valued.
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