Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas) i… Read Full Bio ↴Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas) is an American R'n'B/neo-soul artist whose work crosses over into jazz.

She is best known for her singles You Got Me her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs Tyrone, Love of My Life, On & On, Bag Lady, The Healer, Honey and Soldier. Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.

Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre.

Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single On & On reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with On & On, won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.

During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child. Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in Tyrone a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend. Badu also collaborated with The Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song You Got Me co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, Bag Lady was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases. Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and Bag Lady was nominated for a Grammy.

By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. Love of My Life hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy for the song in 2003.

After the release of Mama's Gun and Love of My Life, Badu went through a period of writer's block. She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour," in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September of 2003, the Worldwide Underground was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove. Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the EP.

After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. Honey, a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008.

On August 23, 2008, Badu joined the rock band My Morning Jacket on stage at their show in Dallas, Texas to perform her song Tyrone. Her surprise appearance was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.

On February 1, 2009 Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba with her boyfriend Jay Electronica.

Her album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) was released on March 30, 2010.

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Soldier
Erykah Badu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mmmm
See he's organized
And he's on the ball
Never miss a day of school
And he's an underdog
Wanna learn more and more
Pa and mama taught him good
He's about to change the face
Of yo ghetto neighborhood
Walking to school today
Saw a brother on the streets
Seem like everythang was cool
Said the brother's packing heat
Oop oop
Then everything changed
Cause he saw his own wings
And his mother was sad
They will last
Time will past
Cause I

Wondering we're talking bout
Everybody know what dis song's about
They be trying to hide the history
But they know who we are
Do oh you want to see
Everybody rise to this degree?
Raise ya hands high if you agree
Just say yes siree oh
Yes siree
If you agree say
Yes siree oh
Yes siree
Ugh
Come on
Ugh
Break it down say
Mmmm, mmhh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, aye
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey

Now to my folks think delivery sweet
Well they gone fuck around and push the leap
To the girls on prescriptions pills
I know how ya feel
To my boys in Iraqi fields
This ain't no time to kill
To my girls in therapy
See I'm a tell you this fo' free
To my folks up on the hill
With the cake and dollar bills
You need to watch the dirty cop
They the one you need to watch
I'm talking bout the dirty cop
They the one you need to watch!
Stop!

You get the wake up call
When you saw the buildings fall
Bow ties with the final call
Get ya money dollar bill ya'll
Bow ties with the final call
Get ya money dollar bill ya'll
To my folks on the picket line
Don't stop 'til you change they mind
I got love fo' my folks
Baptized when the levees broke
We gone keep marchin' on
Until you hear that freedom song
And if you think about turning back
I got the shotgun on ya back
And if you think about turning back
I got the shot gun on ya back
Bla (Black!)

Wondering we're talking bout
Everybody know what dis song's about
They be trying to hide the history
But they know who we are
Do you want to see
Everybody rise to the next degree?
Raise ya hands high if you agree
Just say yes siree oh
Yes siree
If you agree say
Yes siree hey
Yes siree aye
Hey, hey, hey
Break it down say
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey hey (shoop)
Mmmm, oh
Hey aye

Overall Meaning

The song "Soldier" by Erykah Badu is a call to action, encouraging listeners to stand up against systemic oppression and injustice in their communities. The verses speak to the importance of education and self-improvement, highlighting the potential for individuals to make a positive change in their neighborhoods. The chorus emphasizes the need for collective action and recognition of one's cultural heritage. The bridge acknowledges the different struggles faced by various groups, from soldiers in Iraq to people protesting for their rights on the picket line. The song ends with a powerful declaration of resistance and solidarity.

The lyrics to "Soldier" are an example of Badu's socially conscious style of music, which also incorporates elements of soul, funk, and hip-hop. The song was released in 2003 on Badu's album "Worldwide Underground" and features production by Madlib. "Soldier" received critical acclaim for its powerful message and thought-provoking lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

See he's organized
He is meticulous and has everything together

And he's on the ball
He is proactive and efficient

Never miss a day of school
He is consistent and never absent at school

And he's an underdog
He's an underestimated person who is likely to rise to great success

Wanna learn more and more
He is eager to increase his knowledge

Pa and mama taught him good
His parents taught him well

He's about to change the face
He's going to transform the physical appearance of his neighborhood

Of yo ghetto neighborhood
Of your economically disadvantaged area

Walking to school today
During his journey to school

Saw a brother on the streets
He encountered a acquaintance on the sidewalk

Seem like everythang was cool
Initially, there was no apparent trouble

Said the brother's packing heat
He was informed that his acquaintance had a weapon on him

Then everything changed
The situation became intense and perilous

Cause he saw his own wings
Because he saw his own potential to fly high and succeed

And his mother was sad
His mother was heartbroken

They will last
Things will persist

Time will past
Time will elapse

Cause I
Because I

Wondering we're talking bout
We are wondering what we are discussing

Everybody know what dis song's about
Everyone knows what this song is focusing on

They be trying to hide the history
They try to conceal the past

But they know who we are
However, they know our identity

Do oh you want to see
Do you desire to witness

Everybody rise to this degree?
Everybody should elevate their standard of living to this level

Raise ya hands high if you agree
Raise your hands high if you concur

Just say yes siree oh
Simply say yes, sir

Yes siree
Yes, sir

If you agree say
If you agree, then say

Yes siree oh
Yes, sir

Yes siree
Yes, sir

Ugh
Exclamation of frustration or exasperation

Come on
Expression of encouragement or enthusiasm

Break it down say
Let's dissect it and analyze

Mmmm, mmhh
Nonverbal verbal cue

Hey hey (shoop)
Nonverbal verbal cue

Mmmm, aye
Nonverbal verbal cue

Now to my folks think delivery sweet
To people who think that meaning is soft and passive

Well they gone fuck around and push the leap
They are in for an unpleasant shock if they continue that behavior

To the girls on prescriptions pills
To females dependent on medication

I know how ya feel
I empathize with your predicament

To my boys in Iraqi fields
To males in combat in Iraq

This ain't no time to kill
Advocating for nonviolence during wartime

To my girls in therapy
To females undergoing psychological treatment

See I'm a tell you this fo' free
I am going to give you very valuable information for free

To my folks up on the hill
To affluent people living in gated communities

With the cake and dollar bills
With a lot of money and material possessions

You need to watch the dirty cop
You should be wary of corrupt police officers

They the one you need to watch
Those officers are the ones you must monitor

Stop!
Halting or interrupting an action

You get the wake up call
You receive a sudden realization

When you saw the buildings fall
After observing the structures collapse

Bow ties with the final call
There are officials in formal wear ready to finalize decisions

Get ya money dollar bill ya'll
Obtain as much currency as possible

To my folks on the picket line
To demonstrators expressing disapproval

Don't stop 'til you change they mind
Do not stop until you convince the other party to change their stance

I got love fo' my folks
I love and support my people

Baptized when the levees broke
Underwent an intense and difficult experience

We gone keep marchin' on
We are going to continue moving forward

Until you hear that freedom song
Until you witness genuine liberation

And if you think about turning back
And if you consider giving up

I got the shotgun on ya back
I am going to prevent you from fleeing by threatening you with a shotgun

Bla (Black!)
Possibly an interjection or an affirmation of Black pride

Mmmm, oh
Nonverbal verbal cue

Hey hey (shoop)
Nonverbal verbal cue

Yes siree hey
Yes, sir

Yes siree aye
Yes, sir

Hey, hey, hey
Nonverbal verbal cue

Mmmm, oh
Nonverbal verbal cue