Erykah Badu Kicks Off Unfollow Me Tour with Soulful Spectacle in San Antonio
Erykah Badu kicked off her Unfollow Me Tour on June 11 at the AT&T Center. The Grammy Award-winning neo-soul icon joined forces with Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, for a two-month musical journey that commenced in San Antonio and will culminate in Badu's hometown of Dallas. Both artists were previously members of the influential Soulquarians collective, which shaped the landscape of black experimental hip-hop and R&B in the late 1990s.
Before Badu graced the stage, Bey set the foundation. He dropped red rose petals from a tote bag he brought onto the stage and then pulled out a can of spray paint to write the word "Oysters" on a white sheet draped over the deck behind him. Throughout his performance, he charismatically spun and danced while delivering crowd favorites such as Hip Hop and Miss Fat Booty. His performance was equally energetic, tender, and melancholic, spreading messages of hope and love. Particularly powerful was his anthem, UMI says, with which he concluded his set. A hypnotic blend of whisper-singing and chanting reverberated around the arena as he sang the lyrics, "Shine your light on the world, I want my people to be free."
The lights dimmed around 9:15 p.m., teasing the start of Badu's performance. On the giant screens, techno-surrealist portraits of the singer, crafted by visual artist Vince Fraser, created an otherworldly ambiance. Meanwhile, the satiny voices of her background singers permeated the air like the humid vapor of Texas summers, repeatedly humming "Badu, Badu, Badu..."
True to her fluid nature, Badu disregarded the constraints of time. The audience patiently embraced the delay as she finally took the stage, just over half an hour later. Adorned with floor-length braids, her iconic Holy Mountain hat, futuristic "Ho Stoppers" light-up goggles, and fluffy sea anemone leg warmers designed by Dallas fashion student Myah Hasbany, Badu transfixed the crowd with her superlunary presence. Positioned between a keyboard and a drum machine, she commenced her set with 20 Feet Tall, followed by the timeless hit On & On.
Performing a generous mix of her '90s throwbacks, Badu reminded everyone that she was a rapper before she became a singer. Emphatically proclaiming "Hip-hop is 50, and I was there! Hip-hop was kicking, and I was there!" she proceeded to sing Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop).
With over a decade since her last studio release, she thrives on nostalgia, asserting that "Baduizm was written for the '90s babies." Literally. She recalls being pregnant with her first child during it’s recording and communicating with him through what she calls "tribal sounds and moans… [all of] which is music."
Reflecting on her journey and personal growth, she belted out the empowering lyrics of Me, proclaiming her self-acceptance and overflowing love.
While Badu's focus has shifted more towards live performances than recording albums, her artistic prowess remains undeniable. Adding an extra layer of excitement, Badu tantalized the senses with an unreleased track from her forthcoming album, offering a glimpse into her musical evolution.
Despite the delayed start, Badu concluded the evening relatively early. However, before bidding farewell, she expressed her immense gratitude to the audience, leaving an indelible mark with her closing performance of the iconic Window Seat.
