Sound Check: Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War (2008)
February 27, 2008 Posted in Music
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War (2008)
Badu rises from the nu-Soul wreckage as a nu-Funkateer, complete with blowout cover, jive spelling and “up with people” vibes. If the terms “retro” and “vintage” inspire you to burn down the closest Urban Outfitters in a storm of Nag Champa-fueled anger, this exploitation of an exploitation isn’t for you.
When Badu drops the soul sister shtick and gets really real, even the sleepier tracks get shaken awake. Production from 9th Wonder follows the J-Dilla blueprint of smooth soul and hard bop, but the end product is dangerously close to mimicry.
Badu’s heart is in the right place, I’m sure, but she tries too hard to impress, and pilfers too much from a bygone era when a modern take would suffice. Surprisingly sterile for an R&B/Soul album, New Amerykah is simply too retro and retrograde.
Key tracks: “Master Teacher,” “Twinkle”
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What? It seems this review has altogether missed the point of New Amerykah. Ms. Badu, who has been quoted as “an analog girl in a digital world” has a natural penchant for anachronisms and vintage sensibilities. To call the album of her album contrived or stilted or “too retro” is completely out of context. Take a better look.
Also, for an artist to set conscious, weighty lyrics to such trunk bumpin beats is incredible and gives me shivers just to think of it.
In a time where a woman and a black man are vying for presidential candidacy with much support (!), this mainstream-released soul-hip-hop album is like a beacon of hope, a sun on the horizon: things might start to change! Hip-hop, young people’s music in general, is the perfect place to start!
New Amerykah deserves mad props for being ambitious and having gravity in a world where Soulja Boy and Flo Rida are the best things going in “hip-hop.”
Agreed, but only if comparing Badu to today’s clowns. But why compare her to terrible artists? I say raise the standard higher!
Her album is ok to my ears, but I feel like she’s trying too hard, lyrically and musically. I try not to give credit to an album based solely on its world views, which would make every good-hearted release a classic.
If you’re looking for a psych funk stunner with a positive message, I recommend Del Jones “Court is Closed” (one of the best LPs I’ve ever heard) or “America Eats Its Young” by Funkadelic. Or The Coup for straight hip-hop.
Thanks for reading!