Erykah Abi Wright, simply known as Erykah Badu, is a well-known American actress, singer, songwriter, social activist, as well as record producer. Badu’s major career step happened in 1994, when she performed as an opening act for an R&B singer D’Angelo. It was during that concert when Kedar Massenburg, a well-known president and the CEO of a record label “Kedar Entertainment”, noticed Badu’s talents. Soon enough Badu was signed to his recording company and in 1997 released her debut studio album “Baduizm”. The album spawned four singles and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts, gaining Badu critical acclaim for her musical style.
Erykah Badu Net Worth $12 Million
Considered to be one of the most important albums for the genre of neo soul, “Baduizm” introduced Erykah Badu to a wide audience, helped her gain a lot of popularity and earned her a nickname of “Queen of Neo-Soul”. A famous singer, how rich is Erykah Badu then? According to sources, Erykah Badu’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. The majority of Erykah Badu’s net worth and wealth comes from her involvement in the music industry, as well as her acting career. Erykah Badu was born in 1971, in Dallas, Texas, where she had her first exposure to the entertainment industry at the age of four, when together with her mother she performed at the Dallas Theatre Centre. Badu initially attended the Grambling State University, however, she dropped out in order to pursue singing career. Badu was then discovered by Massenburg and signed to his record label. Soon after, Erykah Badu released her debut album “Baduizm”, which helped her establish herself in the neo-soul genre.
Following the success of “Baduizm”, Badu came out with “Live”, a live concert album that was released in 1997. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts, and received a Platinum certification from the RIAA. “Live” was not only critically acclaimed, but also earned Badu a Grammy Awards nomination for Best R&B Album. Badu’s success was at the peak at the time, however, she took some time off in order to raise her son. Badu returned to the industry in 2000 with the release of her second studio album “Mama’s Gun”. The album that contains a range of musical styles has been enjoying success as well, and was even placed among Top 10 Albums of 2000 by the Rolling Stones magazine. As a singer, Erykah Badu has released five studio albums and has successfully launched nine tours. However, Erykah Badu is not only a musician, but an actress as well. Badu made her acting debut in 1997 in a sketch comedy show “All That”, and a year later debuted with a role in a musical comedy film “Blues Brothers 2000” with Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman and James Brown. Since then Erykah Badu has starred in a variety of movies, including “House of D” directed by David Duchovny, “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” produced by Dave Chappelle, as well as “The Cider House Rules” with Paul Rudd and Charlize Theron.
Singer-songwriter, Actor, Record producer, Disc jockey, Musician, Social activist
Education
Grambling State University, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Booker T. Washington High School, On & On, Bag Lady, Window Seat
Nationality
United States of America
Children
Seven Sirius Benjamin, Mars Merkaba Thedford, Puma Sabti Curry
Parents
William Wright Jr., Kolleen Maria Gipson
Siblings
Eevin Wright, Nayrok Wright, On & On, Bag Lady, Window Seat
Nicknames
Erica Abi Wright , Erica Abie Wright , Loretta Brown , Analog Girl in a Digital World , Fat Belly Bella , Medulla Oblongata , First Lady of Neo-Soul , Queen of Neo-Soul , Low Down Loretta Brown , Maria Mexico
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction, Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction, Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, BET Award for Video of the Year, Soul ...
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best New Artist, MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video, MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing, MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography, Grammy Award for Best Music Video, MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects, BET Award for Best Collaboration, Soul Train Music A...
Movies
Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules, One Love: The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute, Holistic Wellness for the Hip-Hop Generation, House of D, They Die By Dawn, The Land, MTV 20: Jams, Jools Holland: Later ... Hip Hop Soul, Hip Hop Nation: Vol. 4
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Quote
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Music and the music business are two different things.
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I don't read music or anything, so when I produce, I go basically by ear.
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Fact
1
Son Seven was born in 1997.
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Third child, daughter, Mars Merkaba, born February 1, 2009.
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Expecting her third child. [September 27, 2008].
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Has a younger brother and sister.
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Was engaged to rapper Common. They were together from 2000 to 2002.
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She gave birth to daughter, Puma, on July 5, 2004 in her Dallas home. Father is rapper The D.O.C..
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Ranked #100 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
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Is a vegetarian.
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Attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
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1998 - Named one of "People" magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People
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Named her son Seven. Father is ex-boyfriend André Benjamin of the rap group Outkast. For which the rap song "Mrs. Jackson" was based upon, in 2000.