The Bold And The Beautiful: Erykah Badu
- Author: Rae Alexandra
- Posted on: Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM
- Filed under: music, erykah badu, window seat, abc news, people.com, yahoo, twitter, ew.com, dallas, dave chappelle, motown, new amerykah part two: return of the ankh, nudity
You may have already seen and heard this week that Erykah Badu is at the center of a stormy controversy, thanks to her new video for "Window Seat", in which she strips completely naked in the middle of her hometown of Dallas, Texas, in front of a crowd of bystanders (who were unaware that a music video was being made), before appearing to be assassinated.
Everyone from Yahoo to ABC News has had something to say about it (ABC helpfully noting that she is "in great shape by the way"), while 64 per cent of People.com readers said that Badu went too far. It's also helped to spark further discussion of race, gender and a variety of political issues.
We think the thought-provoking clip is challenging, beautiful and extraordinarily powerful. There aren't many performers today willing to push the boundaries like this, and for that, Badu should be applauded. Especially since, according to EW.com, on April 2, the Dallas Police Department charged Badu with Disorderly Conduct for her behaviour in the video.
It's a shame that everybody has so far failed to mention that the song is absolutely gorgeous:
Badu, in the midst of the trouble, has been using Twitter in her defence. First stating that "I would never disrespect JFK. His revolutionary thinking is my inspiration. My performance art has been grossly misinterpreted by many." Followed more recently by: "They are not angry we are nude . It angers them that we are awake."
There certainly aren't many stars who can get Dave Chappelle to come out of hiding. But just a month and a half ago, he did just that, to introduce Erykah as she took to the stage in Oakland's Fox Theater.
"Window Seat" is taken from New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, which came out March 30 on the legendary Motown label. Regardless of what happens next, we're sure that Erykah will maintain her trademark dignity and grace throughout.
Be sure to let us know what you think of the furor.
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COMMENTS
“ Badu rocks. ”
“ I love it. ”
“ badu's amazing ”
“ I'm not familiar with Ms. Badu's work so well, but I get her vibe and her style and I like her. She's badass.. ”
“ that was a copy from the #1 video on myspace in 2009. ”
