Erykah Badu EP Disappointing, But Still Worth Buying

Erykah Badu is hands down one of the most influential artists of our generation; however, her “Worldwide Underground” EP does little, if anything, to reflect that. Maybe it’s such a disappointment because her previous works, “Baduizm” and “Mama’s Gun,” were both flawless five-star efforts.

Worldwide Underground

Badu’s new release can be used as good evidence for the theory that Badu is just releasing material in order to fulfill her contract with Motown Records. “Worldwide Underground” is weak, in some cases with incomplete songs, terrible promotion and lackluster production.

The lead single, “Danger,” is a great track; it’s on an entirely different level from her previous works. It doesn’t have that “sultry juke joint” style that changed the game when songs like “On and On” and “Bag Lady” hit the scene.

Besides “Danger,” very few songs seemed to keep me satisfied. “Back in the Day” features P. Diddy, with Lenny Kravitz on guitar, and has a very nice flow to it. “Love of My Life Worldwide” features Queen Latifah, Bahamadia, and, let’s not forget, Angie Stone.

The album’s worst track is probably “Woo,” which is extremely reminiscent of “Shanny’s World” from Ashanti’s sophomore album, “Chapter II.” Here, Badu thanks people with whom she went on tour, shared laughs and enjoyed the good times of recording. My problem with this song was little singing, too much talking and not enough wisdom.

“Bump It” is atrocious; it gets off to a nice start with a nice beat, but the weird crooning at the end ruins the whole song. “I Want You” is too long, and “The Grind” sounds as if it were an incomplete demo for some neo-soul newcomer.

Still, overall, Badu’s “Worldwide Underground” is worth buying.

At times, Badu lacks the true funk that makes her one of the few real R&B artists today. The lyrics are not that deep, but she often makes up for it with tight grooves that emphasize the bass, keyboards and percussion. There will never be another album that matches Erykah’s debut, “Baduizm.”

Tyre Kern is a student at Jackson State University who writes for The Blue and White Flash.

Posted Sept. 29, 2003