Mama's Gun

Loved the R&B angles. 2000 A.D. was a standout for me.

I love the soulfulness of her songs and the jazzy bluesie mix

4.0 stars really like this album. It was nice and chill for the most part had some funky portions of it. You can definitely tell her talent it’s not necessarily I like some R&B I like Neo soul, but it’s way out on my list of favorite genres, but this is a really good album for that genre love this song. Orange Moon added it to a couple playlists.

I enjoyed most of it. It could've been tightened up a little though. I think it got too repetitive towards the end.

Solid and funky.

This was a good album. I really enjoyed the first track here, and this psychedelic style sounds great for a chill mood. I think I need to give this more listens to make sense of it (not related to the generator, but I had to do the same thing with D'Angelo's Black Messiah). I think this album nails the vibe it was going for, though. 4/5

The start of the record up to kiss me on my neck is energetic and smart and funky and flowed really nicely together. Started to drag a little in energy after that. Soulfully and masterfully done, absolutely, just not the workout music the first half was cranking out Middle three songs, AD 2000, Orange Moon and in love with you are pretty forgettable Last three songs wrap up the album nicely, if on a down note, but hey, that’s life.

Soulful and lovely. Perfect bath time music.

Serious grooves on this, love the sample of Dre's sample of Isaac Hayes. Clean, funky and very enjoyable. Some don't like her vocals, but I think they're well suited to the groove.

Groovy, smooth and amazingly rhythmic 4.2

Pretty solid R&B album.

*Good R and B album, but nothing really stood out. *Got a little too slow at times but easy to listen to

Very smooth listen, does a good job of drawing you in and making you forget the passage of time

I actually liked the vibe, very chill but flowy. Something there if you just want to zoom out and hear the musicality of it, but also something there if you wanna listen to the lyrics and engage on a deeper level.

Immediately reminded me of D’Angelo. Great songs. Very chill. Second half might’ve been a little TOO chill!

As of this writing, the top review on the generator is a criticism that the music is great but the vocals are boring. My own view is 100% the opposite. I love Badu's voice and vocal style, but I find a good deal of the music to be uninteresting. Not bad, but kind of dime a dozen jazzy lounge music. There's nothing wrong with that but it's kind of forgettable without the vocals. Some are definitely better than others but it's Badu who brings it altogether. I know that this is one of her more celebrated albums, but for me, I really prefer her New Amerykah albums well above this one. The best part of listeningto "Mama's Gun" is that it reminded me to revisit her other work. But I appreciate that this is probably an unpopular opinion and I do kind of like this album anyway, so it's 4 star from me.

Best Song: Green Eyes. Probably my favourite vocal performance on the album. Worst Song: In Love With You. This feels more like a Stephen Marley song than an Erykah Badu song. Overall: She's got such a lovely voice. What is most impressive is how she's able to (within one album) situate that voice comfortably within so many different genres. There are sections that feel more heavily R&B, or soul, or hip-hop, and some that drift down into jazz, but somehow it still all works.

not bad, pretty nice

Queen shit

Neo-soul as it's meant to be made. I can't say I'd like to sit and listen to Erykah all day and all night but this album is a tight listen front to back. Some of the songs might be too long, but if you love the Soulquarian era this one's for you.

Ay Mamasita! Spasdigi neuentdeckig ufs wuchenend. Sehr smoothi Sach. 4 phünnkt vom Thymounh

Erika badu hani lustigerwiis s erste mal letst wuche devo ghört via konzert bsuech vum sille. Dri glosst gmerkt gmüdi, aber s einte lied scho mal i minere jazzy ahghuchte playlist versorgt gha frühner. Und jetzt da. Wenn de vibe stimmt, seeehr geil. Au de damien marley bim einte na dricho, sweet. 4 pistole fpr mama badu

Sabe quando você acorda de madrugada com a boca e garganta extremamente secas e toma um gole de água trincando de gelada? Essa é a sensação que tenho ao ouvir este disco. Produção magistral. O empenho de equipamentos analógicos e instrumentalização orgânica eleva esse álbum a um patamar magnânimo. É cada linha de baixo, é cada batida suplicante, e os vocais de Badu… inexplicável. São composições inerentemente simples, nada chocantes e inesperadas, tudo bem pedestre na verdade, mas a execução é impecável. Tenho muito apreço pelo revival do chamado Neo-Soul da Motown na virada do milênio. Artistas como Erykah Badu e D’Angelo merecem toda a aclamação que receberam em suas carreiras. E essa ordenação das faixas? Eu amo álbuns que são construídos dessa maneira, onde cada faixa deságua na próxima naturalmente e sutilmente. Mas falta um pouco de consistência. Acredito que o disco dá uma desandada em sua reta final. Acontece algo com a duração das faixas, que sofrem de uma enorme inflação. Facilmente daria pra ter cortado uns 10 minutos de duração do álbum e ele ficaria melhor e mais leve. Estranho esse desbalanço. Seu começo é fantástico e te pega firmemente, uma pena que o final não fecha o pacote com a mesma grandeza! De todo modo, um clássico. 4/5

Tuff

So good. Like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Corrine Bailey Rae

Very good, feels nice for a warm summer day to just put on while making some food in the sun or something.

Riktigt härligt, chill utan att vara tråkigt!

Allmänt härligt sound, inget som direkt sticker ut men good vibes all around o vill gärna lyssna mer!

Åååh, påminder mig om mina favorit låtar på modern tid jag lyssnar på

This album is an entire vibe. I very much enjoyed it.

She’s bringing a lot of influences into this neo soul classic and has some heavy-hitting musicians backing her. This is a perfect Sunday morning coming down kind of album.

This one caught me by surprise. Badu's incredible voice paired with actual live musicians (unusual for her contemporaries) makes for an attention-grabbing album. The genres represented here are varied enough to keep every track fresh, while staying consistent enough to make the whole thing groove.

Surprised by this :)

This album really surprised me. Very smooth, catchy, and soulful. And it’s got Questlove on a few tracks which is really cool.

Great soulful music

Great neo-soul/funk record. Instrumentation is tight and Badu’s songwriting and vocal performance is top tier. Almost a little too laid back and understated in places if kind of drags a little in the middle but the strong start/ finish on the album kept me interested and engaged. 7/10 Favorite tracks- “Didn't Cha Know” “Bag Lady” “Time’s a Wastin”

deep, organic funk and jazz-soul grooves. The songs tackle themes of personal insecurity, heartbreak (following her separation from André 3000), and pointed social issues (like police brutality), solidifying her place as a powerful voice and an innovative artist.

Super chill vibes

The voice... that Erykah voice. Unbelievable.

Smooth and groovy Sunday morning vibes going on with this album.

Enjoyed the vibe on this album much more than I was expecting.

Liked this one. Seems like there’s lots of depth to the lyrics and the beat just flows. Hard to tell the difference between songs for me though.

Pretty good.

Gear: 64 Audio Duo Artwork: 😐🧶🆒 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🛋️😌👏 Ratinng: 🔫🔫🔫(🔫)/5

Erykah Badu is someone whom I just started listening to last year. Like with D'Angelo, she is often considered an instrumental figure in the neo-soul movement. In fact, the two of them collaborated in the short-lived Soulquarians collective. Alongside that, Erykah had a son with her then-partner, André 3000, before the two of them split. All these elements together form the background to her second studio record, Mama's Gun, as Erykah embraced a more sonically eclectic sound while addressing her complications with fame, her new motherhood, and her separation from André. This record does sound tantalizing to me. Erykah's singing voice often gets compared to Billie Holiday, and I can hear the comparison in the hypnotic and swirling nature of the delivery. It helps that the production she worked on with Questlove and Pino Palladino sounded very organic, as tracks vary in style across soul, funk, rock, jazz, and reggae without ever coming across as jarring in transitions, thanks in part to some excellent work from the session musicians. Adding to the experience are some very introspective lyrics coming from Erykah. The "mama's gun" of the album title serves as a metaphor for how she wants to be a protective mother for her son. As such, she draws on past experiences to explore themes of love, self-worth, and social equity as she wants the best for herself and her loved ones. The forewarnings of street crime on "Penitentiary Philosophy" and "Time's a Wastin'", the desire to seek a righteous path in "Didn't Cha Know" and "My Life", the challenging of perceptions around women on "Cleva" and "Booty", the pursuit of freedom simultaneously with love on "Kiss Me on My Neck", "In Love with You", and especially "Orange Moon" with her desire to find happiness and reinforce her belief in God. The album closes with the ten-minute suite "Green Eyes", in which Erykah explores her heartbreak and separation from André 3000 across three movements. She learns to accept that the relationship is over and must move on as amicably as she can. For as much as this album resonated well with me, there is still this nagging sense within myself that the album could've been trimmed down a bit. At the very least, it sounds like the back half after the "Hey Sugah" interlude sounded more intriguing in terms of composition and lyrical writing than the earlier tracks. Then again, it's difficult to say what could have been cut, considering how much Erykah made apparent on this record with the changes she went through at this time. I'm sure that Mama's Gun will grow on me, and it will be interesting to revisit down the line. For now, I think this album is good and worth your time.

I definitely wasn’t expecting to enjoy this album so much. My biggest problem honestly, and this was why I wasn’t expecting to like it, the album cover is so boring. I feel it doesn’t really convey what’s on the album and personally I don’t think it’s a good representation of said album. But that’s ok cause the album is fucking awesome. There’s a ton of variety in sound and tone. There were a few songs I didn’t like that were slower but it never once lost my attention, it had me hooked from the first two songs which are probably the best two on the album but it doesn’t feel like downhill after that. There are a ton more songs in this album that are fun and worth your time. Seriously this is a great cruisin’ album. Just hop in the car, no real destination in mind, and just drive around listening to this album. You will like it!

So.good. very warm, charismatic music. Great vibes, cool songs.

Pre: like this album Post: Still like, great combo of soul/funk/hip hop

2000s soul. Neo soul, funk and jazz. Smooth and groovy.

Really nice, smooth neo soul. A bit unremarkable, missing the catch.

I had Baduizm and had respect (if not total love) for it, but obviously not enough to buy the next album. This was in the days before streaming so I couldn't even easily try it, so Erykah didn't get another look in on my musical journey. I now find out how well thought of some of her subsequent albums are, and there are certainly many gems on here even if as a whole it can be a little long and strangely cold or abrasive at times (whilst conversely warm and gentle in others). I'm glad to get to know it better and will certainly check in more with her music in the future.

Chill vibes

The groove and vibe of this album are great. Her voice is smooth and sultry. It is a really good album. 4/5 Would listen again

Pretty smooth, but too light to this length

Fantastic. However, no stand out tracks that keep me wanting more.

Pleasantly surprised with this one. I was afraid it was going to be infused with crappy hip-hop, and it really wasn't. Sounded influenced by 60s and 70s R&B. Reminded me of the Amy Winehouse album Frank on this list, though it was three years after this. She's got a great voice and the production was excellent. There were a couple of tracks I really didn't like (Booty being one, ugh those lyrics) and it went on too long

Great album not my typical kind of music

Good

Classic what more can I say

Wasn’t sure at first, but grew on me and went back to listen a second time. Enjoyed it.

Really enjoyed a lot of this album. Every song was different and I appreciated the variety of instruments and vocal effects. A few of my favorites were Orange Moon, Time’s a Wastin, and Green Eyes 4/5

Groovy, funky, jazzy. Gorgeously nuanced and compelling vocals. Harmonically balanced with great diversity. There’s a coziness, like a sweater that fits just right. There is a loose, live-band feel that makes the record feel alive and intimate. Yet, it’s precise and masterfully crafted. Loved the sound of this record. Some BASS, which is nice to hear on this list. Atmospheric keyboards, big drums. Late-night, immersive, enrapturing. So many cool percussion sounds that fit in so well to create unique textures and vibes. It’s not a perfect record. Some of the songs feel bloated and some of the choices miss (like the stereo sweeps on A.D. 2000). Nevertheless, this was a great record. Looking forward to listening to this one again. Glad I heard this 8-8.5/10 Standouts: Cleva (feat. Roy Ayers) Orange Moon Green Eyes

As the story goes, Electric Ladyland’s resident feline “Jimmy” would show up to listen back, approvingly, to the desk mixes of “Mama’s Gun”. It’s cool cats all the way down, this one. Soulquarians Questlove, James Poyser, Jay Dee (genuine thrill when my ear caught his style in the first couple of bars of “Didn’t Cha Know?”) do a fine job of giving Erykah’s inimitable vocal style something to scratch up against … but the record’s at its best when it’s caterwauling on a level completely of its own (on “Penitentiary Philosophy”, “Kiss Me On My Neck” especially). This is a fantastic record; full of texture and swing. Inescapably, there’s the sense you’re getting treated to the sound of some of the turn of the century’s most brilliant and influential artists, not just collaborating but building each other up in true process. You have to hand it to Jimmy, the cat had taste.

Soulful vibes with some solid beats to match. Can't complain.

Three stars feels unfair, four feels generous in the context of this list. If in doubt, bump it up

Fantastic. Beautiful production.

Ive always been a big fan of Badu's style and voice- she just oozes coolness. This album was a good listen- lots of emotion in her songs and funky instrumentation to match. I did feel the album was slightly long- I found myself getting bored near the very end. Still- plenty of jams. Overall 3.5 to 4 /5

7/10

Uno de los discos clave para entender los inicios del Neo-Soul en la segunda mitad de los 90 e inicios de los 2000. Erykah Badu supo combinar las sensibilidades del Jazz, el Soul y el Hip Hop, publicando un disco mastodóntico de más de una hora de duración, que es lo único que podría criticarle. 4/5

Amazingly smooth, groovy and chill. For a 2000s r&b album, the production is super lush and psychedelic and her vocals are really stunning. I also love the flow of this album and how the song transition into each other so perfectly.

I know Radek likes this. Really great music. I loved each song and the instruments, rhythms, melodies and whatever else is possible to enjoy in a song. Havent listened to a lot of soul or r&b so its new vibe to my ear.

Y'know, for the longest time, if I knew this album for anything, it was solely for how it used the YELLOW SUBMARINE title font on the cover. I'm aware that the font was used plenty of times before that film, and it's been used in a variety of circumstances afterwards... But dang if it'll ever be anything to me other than the YELLOW SUBMARINE title font. Compare it with this album: now I know it for two or three things. Not only does it use the YELLOW SUBMARINE title font, but it's also a very lovely and vibes-ful soul experience. Seriously, this is an album I can just glide on. I made more of an effort here to listen to the lyrics than usual, but just as well, I was very content to just let the general soundscape carry me through. The actual makeup of the instrumentation may not be very complex, sure, though they're played so wonderfully and Erykah's voice is so lovely that I can hardly find room to complain about it. Seriously, to all the reviews commenting on how Erykah's voice was a basebreaker: it's honestly not that bad. I will cop to one thing, and it does kind of keep me from fully loving this album: the length. Now, look, I'm no stranger to a bit of excess in a soul record. Stevie Wonder's SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE is two records **and** an EP's worth of tunes, and I consider that the greatest album ever made. And let's be clear, the songs across the board are strong enough that it's a generally enjoyable experience, especially if you can let yourself float along. And particularly, too, if you do it as I do and break it up by record side — it's not **that** bad. With all that said, though, I can still feel when an album exceeds an hour, and I very much did on here. It's the kind of situation where if I **did** ever return to it, it'd be in chunks and for sure not all at once. Still, as a piece of neo soul, I very much enjoyed my time with it. I don't even really have too much more I wanna say about it, unlike a fellow group member of mine. It's just a nice, vibe-y time, despite feeling its length — and, really, ain't that all I need to know it for?

Smooth R & B

Fun funk, good vocals

One of the great r'n'b albums.

frekar kúl jassskotið hiphopp. í anda meðvitaðs. full langt en feykigott.

Mange af de her neosoulalbums har det samme problem, at de er for lange. Synes jeg også den her er. Men der er nok bangers på til at gøre op for det

Badu's versatile delivery navigates the album's eclectic neo-soul arrangements with ease, creating a cohesive yet constantly shifting emotional landscape.

Brilliantly creative, expanding R&B’s range

Soulful. Very nice.

I am a fan of R&B and so far I am enjoying this album. The main thing that caught my attention is how each track starts and ends perfectly, like a perfect loop of a beautiful jingle. Reminds me of music being played in a cafe or bookstore: cozy atmospheric music that accompanies your thoughts while sipping tea or checking out books. Album cover art looks like from the 70's with it's blend of warm colors of green, red, yellow and Kubrick font. It explains why I was surprised to find out that it came out in 2000. Memorable lyric: "Give me water. Water for my mind." "No, you won't be no name no buildings after me."

Beautiful voice and a great sound on the album

Fav: A.D. 2000 Least Fav: Cleva I’m usually intimidated by albums over an hour long by artists I’ve never heard of before, but I’m glad I gave this a shot. Some nice chill vibes that I can see where current artists have used Erykah as inspiration

8/10 I heart crystals

Love this record. Soul, jazz, R&B, hip hop: she puts it all together in an intense millennial complexity.

Nice voice, good soul album.

This record is a whole vibe. I went in and out of the vibe because I had to start and stop it a lot. But when you’re in it - it’s pretty great.

This album was good, but it’s definitely shackled to the late ’90s era. It’s exactly the kind of stuff I used to hear on downtempo DJ mixtapes back in the day. The vibe is nostalgic, and while it still holds up in some ways, it definitely feels like a product of its time.

Penitentiary Philosophy // Didn’t Cha Know // …& On // Bag Lady // Green Eyes 4.5/5

This is a great start for my album listening. The genre is not that far off of my taste. 7.5 out of 10

I like this a lot. I like the music, the vibes, the flow. everything is pretty good, but I still consider it a 3 star album objectively. I do think the vocals could be more interesting and the lyrics are okay. I bumped it up to 4 stars bc I am likely to listen to this again, even with it's flaws

Great soul/R&B. Very rich sound overall and of course she sounds great. Favorites: Didn't Cha Know, In Love With You

Pretty enjoyable

Solid! I should have listened to more of her music than I have.

Cool album! Thought we had Erykah on this list before, but apparently not. I really like the tone of this record. Sits somewhere between R&B and disco for me, the former of which I am not a fan usually, but it works well here. 'Didn't Cha Know' is a cool track, and the rest doesn't come far behind. Guess I didn't listen that attentatively, but I'm still missing some recognizable songs. Still, very solid and even performance thoughout the record. Weak 4!

very chill and groovy

Already listened ❤️

Fine

i enjoyed this a lot, i like the vibe, i don’t listen to much R&B but this was great, i listened to Baduizm and wasn’t crazy on it but i might need to listen to it again

My first (neo) soul album here! Had no clue what to expect. The cover looks a little dated for 2000s but perhaps there's some meaning to it that I just don't understand. A super strong record with some songs that I honestly feel could've been cut. They are very likely subjective picks, but it's hard for me not to feel that way when the high points of the record are so damn high, and it doesn't help that the record's pretty long at 1h15. When the album's in its stride, it's interesting, varied, smooth, hypnotising, everything, but it has enough bumps in the road to keep it from the 5 star spot, for me. Don't get me wrong though, it's close. Penitentiary starts the record off strongly featuring a powerful drum performance in particular, and a cool intermission midway through. I think it serves well as the intro track, though, perhaps paradoxically, it's not something I can see myself listening to again individually. Didn't Cha Know takes things slower, while still having good energy. It's something I can get behind a lot more. Very cool chilled vibe. I like what Erykah does with her voice here too. My Life is even more laidback, with a fun piano melody, and even more smooth, nice vocals. It's not quite as infectious as the previous track, but does enough to keep it interesting and fun to listen to, especially where the beat occasionally reverses. The transition to ...& On caught me off guard that was smooth lol. The shift of the vibes towards the second half too oh mah gaw. I think this is the most vocally and instrumentally interesting track so far. Of course the best way to attempt to match such a track is to shake things up even more, which she does with a feature and a killer vibraphone (never thought I'd feel so strongly about a vibraphone but here we are). Cleva somehow lives up to the previous track. A nitpick is the chorus is ever so slightly not nice to the ears. But I don't really mind, that vibraphone is doing bits. Come on mayyyyynnnn even the interlude goes hard. Hell nah come on what's going on. Booty completely switches things up again with a crazy funky beat. The brass going off too. The brief empty spaces do so much as well I can't even describe it eloquently but it's like when the beat cuts out and gets back into it, neuron activation. Kiss Me On My Neck is finally a track I'm not really into lol. Things were so good for a few tracks I was starting to get worried, was gonna lose my mind. It's not even a bad track honestly, I'm just not super into it, particularly the vocal melodies chosen. Not so sure about A.D. 2000 either, honestly, though that keyboard(?) in the chorus stands out, very pleasant on the ears. Started levitating as soon as the initial piano of Orange Moon started playing. We're so back. We are so back. The harmonisation bro. Are you hearing this music too?? The crickets in the background. I can see the orange moon, I see it. If this isn't the definitive stargazing song, do not hesitate to tell me what it is, not that I'd believe you. The way the song climaxes at the end too ohhhh mah gaw. In Love With You isn't for me. Similar feelings to Kiss Me On My Neck honestly. Just not really into it. Stephen Marley is featured here but he unfortunately doesn't save it from feeling a bit uninteresting. Something about Bag Lady feels a bit more empty than some of the other tracks I liked. However I still really like it lol. There are some really catchy elements here that I can't really describe but I can't ignore the groove. Time's A Wastin is fine. I mean it's fine by this record's standards, so that means it's good. But I also don't feel like I have much to say. I'm a bit fatigued by this point, but Green Eyes is actually so good too. I wasn't sure initially but after a few minutes I was convinced. Tired but convinced lol. This is music. FAVOURITES - Didn't Cha Know; ...& On; Cleva; Hey Sugah; Booty; Orange Moon; Green Eyes LEAST FAVOURITES - Kiss Me On My Neck; A.D. 2000; In Love With You

Overall I think the album is really strong with a slightly weaker middle section. It has some really stand out moments, from more groovy, catchy tracks like ...& on, to the slower beautiful ballad of Orange Moon. Penitentiary Philosophy - whispering is alright, groovy start, don't love the vocals that much but there are good moments, like "why world", pretty catchy too. Reminded me slightly of Prince with the vocal inflections at the end. Nice guitar and drums throughout. Would be more re-playable if slightly shorter, but good nonetheless. Didn't Cha Know - I think in general I don't like her voice that much which is quite unfortunate. The start of the chorus is great though. My Life - the piano has this slightly weighty feel to it, I like it. ...& On - zika deka del. She says herself in this song that her words can only do good if they are understood, so I want to note here that I think she has achieved her goal of a clearer album. The things being tackled here are relatable and at times comforting, very human. Cleva - deals with the body image issues many people face, instead moving the focus over to the positives, accepting herself. Pretty relaxed beat, sounds good. I like the vibraphone a lot here. Booty - I just don't like the idea in the first place, the horns were nice but the whole track becomes stale pretty quickly. Kiss Me On My Neck - simple premise, everyone wants love and to feel desired, as far as the actual song not the best but not too bad. A.D. 2000 - this track seems more relevant now than ever, the world is changing at such a rapid rate it's difficult to keep up or understand the implications of what we are doing. Sounds decent. Orange Moon - such a chilled out song, beautiful slow beat, nice simple idea too - the light that love brings. The increase in volume and instrumental filling out is a really powerful moment. The longest track so far, and it uses the time well. In Love With You - really like the male vocalist here and the guitar, groovy. Catchy too. Bag Lady - fun song, another good simple idea. Drums are great. Time's A Wastin - a little too long but good enough otherwise. Green Eyes - vinyl cracking and the old style initial section in general is fun. I liked how the song developed too, another long song that really hits the mark. Best - ...& On, Cleva, Orange Moon, In Love With You, Green Eyes Worst - Booty, A.D. 2000

This was great. Strong 3.5

almost no skips, thank you to the manager of one of my first jobs for not firing me when i put this on the barnes and noble music section stereo and a wine mom got mad about it

Erykah Badu is just cool. This is the hippest early 2000s album that is just a lost sense of flow and hipness. Great throw on for a sweaty summer night

This album was good, but it’s definitely shackled to the late ’90s era. It’s exactly the kind of stuff I used to hear on downtempo DJ mixtapes back in the day. The vibe is nostalgic, and while it still holds up in some ways, it definitely feels like a product of its time.

I've heard these songs sampled on countless other hip hop songs. Clearly an influential project. I loved Didn't Cha Know. I started to lose interest a little at the end but overall solid album.

I'm an absolute fan of everything Soulquarian, and this record is no exception. Badu is excellent, and the production team are in top form. The record is an excellent sample of the soulful, organic sound crafted by the collective at that time. The production is stellar, Poyser and J Dilla created gems in which Badu just shines, her exceptional vocals fit perfectly with the tracks. She has great range, she flows well and she's so soulful. Lyrically the tracks are interesting too, she discusses her life philosophy, politics and relationships. "A.D. 2000" is a touching tribute. The first half is full of great tracks, my favourite is "Didn't Cha Know", which showcases J Dilla's amazing production and Badu's singing is excellent, it's a catchy track and it works so well. Aside from that, "...&On" is also excellent. On the downside, the record can be a bit overlong on the second half, as some parts aren't as catchy or interesting, but still always sounds very good. Overall though, it's a landmark Neosoul record that perfectly represents the Soulquarian sound.

Better than coldplay

Pretty good stuff! great voice and lyrics, Surprised!

questlove my goat

Solid groves

This was definitely an album that I’m glad that I discovered from this list! Her voice is incredible and I only ever heard a couple of her songs. But this truly was an enjoyable album!

While a little scattered in style, some absolutely beautiful torch songs. Unbelievable quality of voice. I only felt there were one or two songs out of place, but they were still good songs.

Miss Badu’s magnum opus.

She's really cool!

soooo good !! love her

Sweetly produced record, amazing songs throughout the length of the record, good lyrics and you can't tell when it's going to end because it's very enjoyable. Loved it!

This was a lengthy album (almost 1.5 hours) and I expected to get bored by the end of it. However, this was not the case. My only criticism was the talking which was heard on a few occasions (apparently it was the artist’s mother doing the talking).

Throughly enjoyable. Loved the vibe. Didn't think it would be my thing.

Very good, but a little repetitive

What a voice!

I overall liked this album more than my initial thoughts of it during the first few songs. It isn't as interesting a listen as her first Baduizm and a little long. But it won me over by the end. I really liked 'Green Eyes'. Her voice reminds me of Billie Holiday's.

Women do R&B better than men. Change my mind. This just in: you can't. Really good album, but holy hell some of the songs were excessive in length.

i know now

Cool 8.5/10

This was very nice, although quite long.

Nog nooit van gehoord, maar damn, wijs album! Lekker zomers! 3.5

I enjoyed this a lot more than i anticipated. It was just so easy to enjoy it. This is like a real sexy record, not the weird Pulp stuff.

Nice soulful album

For my money, her live album from ‘97 is better, if only because it includes Tyrone, but this is still a pretty solid album. Badu’s voice is reminiscent of Billie Holliday; I could imagine her doing something like this if she were around then. It’s cool, it’s smooth, and is adequately funky.

I've heard of Erykah Badu, but the only song of hers that I've heard is "Tyrone," and I only heard that because it was discussed on a podcast that I listen to regularly. I'm not a huge R&B fan (shut up, nerd, Neo Soul is a branch of R&B), and the R&B albums from the nineties and aughts that I've reviewed have been pretty hit-or-miss with me. However, I'm excited to experience something new and different today, so let's load up Mama's Gun! I wasn’t in love with this album, but I still thought it was really good. The production, songwriting, and musical arrangements were all top notch. “Penitentiary Philosophy” really hooked me right from the start, with its great Rhodes playing and fantastic bass line. From there, the album went on this great segue-less run of really beautiful and great songs. I thought the whole album felt really seamless as it went from song to song, and the quality never really dipped. There were only a handful of songs that really stood out to me, but I thought “Penitentiary Philosophy,” “Kiss Me On My Neck,” and “A.D. 2000” were the best songs on the album. The Rhodes playing on “A.D. 2000” was just as good as it was on “Penitentiary Philosophy,” and I loved the overall funky sound of the song. As good as I thought this album was, I wasn’t wowed by the vocal work, and there were some stretches where I felt the album was a bit tedious, and I found myself getting bored. Still, this was a really good album, and I’m glad I got to experience something outside of my normal tastes.

A few songs in I am struck most by the quality of the production, sequencing, and overall mixing. Love the endless run effect at play with the seamless transitions between tracks. Badu's vocals are mixed wonderfully and each song carries its own carefully curated atmosphere. The instrumentals are clean and varied with crisp snare hits and luscious keys and interesting effects. Never heard the original Didn't Cha Know -- only ever heard J. Cole's use of the instrumental on one of his early mixtapes. Instrumental itself is fantastic and I do enjoy how Badu uses it. Seamless bleed into My Life is nice and effectively done. This song is an upbeat bop in comparison to the previous. Love the internal beat flips in ...& On and the handover to Cleva is so well done. Booty is a funky soulful journey -- loving this. Not really loving the roots-vibe cross-over of In Love With You. Feel like relative to the rest of the album it feels deflated and almost amateur. Green Eyes is a long winded jazzy outro -- starts on an old-time concept and then builds and shifts slowly around a shifting instrumental. Nice way to end things. I'd say this album had me a lot more hooked during the first half than the second, but it was quality through and through. Could have done without In Love With You, but that is a small gripe. For me this is a solid 4.

I liked this one a lot. Great voice with an overall smoothness to the album that makes it an easy listener. I was surprised this was released in 2000. I was expecting 2018 or so. Had a bit more oomph in the first half that had me holding out hope for a sneaky 5, but it settled nicely into a 4.

brabo, 4 estrelas

Very good album. It’s a bit of a time capsule for me, back to a time when neo-soul was hot, and acts like Erykah Brady, D’Angelo, and Music Soulchild were at the height of their powers. Badu wasn’t in the heaviest rotation for me at that time, but my wife tells a story of how when we first met, she had a boyfriend. So on her drive home she gave herself until a certain point on her trip to think of me, and up until that point, her artist of choice was Erykah Badu.

A few too many excessively long songs, but overall a great album driven by a strong, unique voice. Best song: Didn’t Cha Know

The band that Erykah has is wild. Not to mention Roy Ayers on the album!

It's good but at 70 minutes and most of the songs sounding the same and sounding like one long song it just drags on a lot, but still good

Not a genre I would usually gravitate towards, but enjoyed this album!

3.7 - Really nice album, very very smooth

A very nice vibe, not a lot of standout tracks, but a very enjoyable experience. 3.8/5

Favorite Track: In Love With You

Wasn't feeling it at first, but some of the later songs really hit right. Good instrumentals, but the vocal work wasn't my cup of tea. 'In Love With You' was my fave.

This is a sensational album. Even though the production is restrained and the songs are often very personal, there is an epic and sweeping feel to the album.

Fun album. Great vibes

Oh hey, I know this lady! Gabi actually likes her too.

I like the music, I like the quirky lyrics,

I really liked this. Would listen again

there goes my guuuun

Goaded

Nice and easy listening, with just enough soul to keep it interesting. You need to be in the mood for something soft but it works

Why are most modern r&b albums so/too long?

Smooth as silk

Sounds amazing.

One of the most influential R&B albums of 2000 did not disappoint. Ms. Badu presented a witty vulnerability vocally and a breadth of musical emotion. While it does sound dated to the time, still serves as a powerful work of art.

Wow- I wish I had been listening to this when it came out. It would be prime listening for me. I was 19 or 20. Starting to understand and appreciate soul and r&b. My loss, but thankfully, my gain as well.

mi è piaciuto

Some great tracks. 3.6.

Very strong soul album. Really smooth and enjoyable. Erykah Badu has an incredible voice.

burner

Good start but repetitive towards end

Mellow and long but not bad

Appreciated it more on the second listen. Bearing in mind I'm in possession of only half my hearing I thought it was stimulating enough. Favourites for me are "& On...", "Cleva" and "Green Eyes". Amazing voice, fun drums and chilled, jazzy melodies.

gorgeous music, not quite my vibe on an angry day!

Soul, R&B Schöne Stimme

Good dinner jams

Beautiful soul album with elevating touches of jazz and hip hop.

Power

The best female rap album ive ever heard and my introduction into Neo Soul I guess. Really messed with the vibe from the start and laid back atmosphere. Will return to this one

3.5/5

Worth a listen

Me encanta este tipo de música. 4/5

Super chill album

Some cool Latin rhythms mixed with trippy vocals and groovy bass lines and flashes of exotica. It was an enjoyable listen.

Erykah Badu bringing the soul back from the streets. A lovely voice, a lovely mix of styles. Arguably too much gangster tripping, and I would have loved a couple of phat bass-lead funky hooks, but what do I know?

Enjoyed this much more than I'd expected.

Good way to start the day

Really solid album. I could even see it being a 5 star, if I lived with it longer.

I was lazy about keeping up with Erykah Badu after her debut album, picking up on the occasional excellent single courtesy of Spotify throwing her in the mix. I always knew she was talented but this album is proof I've been sleeping on her consistency. Added multiple additional songs to playlists (the rocking opener, the fun '...& On' throwback, 'Kiss Me on My Neck' - and I already had 'Bag Lady' in the mix given it's the most popular song from this album.) Will have to do a deeper dig on her other work.

Thoroughly enjoyed this

Huh, was expecting a big nostalgia bump on this as my first serious girlfriend was a fan, but it turns out that was mostly the previous album "Baduizm". Still, a perfectly pleasant listen in its own right. Smooth and funky. Only really suitable for one mood, but it does it very well. Fave tracks - "Penitentiary Philosophy" is a nice opener. "In Love with You" benefits from having that extra voice. "Green Eyes" is an amusing closer....

The cymbals were a little too much on the first track. Otherwise, I liked the album overall. I loved the vocals from In Love With You. It was a pretty good track.

I honestly really liked Mama's Gun. With it's album art, i thought that this was going to be an album with a ton of Mexican influences but most of the world influences here seemed as if they were Malian or Indian rather than Mexican. I really did like most of the beats here with many of them feeling very jazzy. Erykah's voice though, was the main selling point even if the lyrics she sang were a mixed bag of smart and dumb. I also found the song transitions to also be a mixed bag with them either being cool or me being like \"Just make it one song at this point\". Regardless, this album kept me interested even with a 71 minute runtime and i really can see how many female Hip Hop/R&B artists today got their sound from this album. Best Song: Orange Moon Worst Song: Booty

"Mama's Gun" is the second studio album by American singer Erykah Badu. The Wiki-listed musical genre is neo-soul incorporating elements of funk, soul and jazz. I'll agree with that. The lyrics are more confessional than her previous album and address insecurity, personal relationships and social issues. There were a host of producers including Badu, James Poyser and Questlove. The album received generally positive reviews and, commercially, hit #11 in the US and #76 in the UK. Whispering opens "Penitentiary Philosophy" which picks up with a funky guitar and soulful organ. The song slowly builds and ends with loud guitars, backing vocals and Badu screaming. The second song and single "Didn't Cha Know" is more chill. Bass and percussion lead the way. She is struggling and needs to get out of a relationship. The third single "Cleva" brings the jazzy side to this neo-soul album. Piano led, a bouncey bass, jazzy drums and a xylophone. She may not look good but she makes it fly cause she's cleva. An acoustic guitar begins "In Love With You." It's a duet with Badu and Stephen Marley. A romantic song with fingersnapping keeping the beat. Marley scatting a bit. The next song and first single "Bag Lady" keeps the chill vibe. Drums and a sparse electric guitar. The bass picks the pace up a bit and Badu as trying to get over a relationship. Backing vocals, more guitar and the song soars to the end. Great song structure. Badu leaves no doubt that Billie Holiday has to be a major influence in the last song "Green Eyes." Vinly- dust sound and Badu singing opens the song...very 1930's/1940's jazz. Piano, flute, horns. It's a song about her breakup with André Benjamin. This is a really solid album. Souful, jazzy and chill (hence it's neo-soul classification). I like the way the songs feature different instruments (piano, bass, horns, acoustic and electric guitars, drums). The production is on the mark most of the time. Badu has a very, nice souful voice. I do see the Billie Holiday comparisons. A CD-era album so its perhaps overly long but the music is so chill I didnt mind it as much. If you're a jazz, soul or R&B fan, it's an album worth checking out.

This felt like a pretty unique album on the list, and I liked it. It sounds to me like a 2000s approach to R&B with a skilled enough artist to explore a variety of styles and sounds. Green Eyes and Bag Lady stood out to me, and they both have pretty silly lyrics.

I’m gonna stat with my one and only complaint with this album. There’s fourteen songs on here and the album is an hour and twelve minutes long. That’s over a five minute average for each track. That isn’t needed. Not for every track. I get the idea of sitting back and jamming and enjoying the music, but I get bored after a while if nothing new is introduced. That’s just me. Moving on, her vocals are gorgeous and unique, the writing is incredible and feels fresh. Production is wonderful. The album feels original and out of time. It is good always. I really enjoy this. 4/5

This feels authentic and it's dated so much better than that horrible "chill" music Morcheeba and Zero 7 were putting out around this time. Reminds me of Nina Simone or Ella Fitzgerald. Totally classy and unexpectedly fantastic.

A fun, vibrant R&B Album where every song is unique. It takes me right back to the early 2000s, sitting in my living room, watching music videos on my small TV.

So groovy! Much better than I expected. Had already heard of her before, but never stopped to actually listen to it.

Rating: 8.5/10 Some damn good neo soul, runs a bit long though. Production was the highlight but Badu's quirkiness also works very well here.

4.5

Chill lo-fi. Good background album, I'm rounding up 3.5. Stand-out: My Life

Today I continued to delve further into the Soulquarian era of the 2000s. Which, through all of my listening, has steadily become one of my favorite musical movements ever. To me, Erykah Badu belongs in the trifecta of female soul artists, right next to Lauryn Hill and Sade Adu. And Mama's Gun is the most exemplary work of her career. It contains just about everything that I look for in a great neo-soul record. Erykah herself approaches this with such a sense of effortlessness. And in that approach she actually comes off as much cooler than the average artist. It’s not laziness. She just radiates a very powerful energy through her singing and lyricism. She has a beautiful voice too. This is often labeled as the female companion to Voodoo by D'Angelo. Which is unironically a really great comparison. Obviously both were released in the same year. But both also act as great vibe records. And D'Angelo also maintains that level of coolness. Most of what these two are singing is barely understandable, but their voices are so sublime and they just float over the instrumentals perfectly. Speaking of instrumentals, what a powerhouse this album is. Penitentiary Philosophy is such an explosive and exciting way to start things. And it sets the stage. Multiple members of the Soulquarian group are credited here. Most notably, three of the original ones who started the movement. J Dilla was involved in the making of a few beats. Particularly Didn’t Cha Know, which is an incredible song. ?uestlove plays the drums on multiple songs. I would say he shines best on A.D. 2000 and Green Eyes. And James Poyser honestly gives the strongest contributions out of all three. His keyboard work brings these songs to live, where they would otherwise be pretty plain without it. His work, and really this record as whole, is so much of what I love about the soul genre. And it’s remarkable how much amazing music was put together in such a short span of time. Rating: 8/10

R&B is probably one of my least explored genres, but after living in Dallas where Erykah Badu is a local icon, I was looking forward to this album. Love her vocals. Songs are a little same-y to me but I still love the mellow grooves. 4/5 Highlights: Booty Orange Moon In Love With You Bag Lady - Cheeba Sac Radio Edit

Chill hudbicka 👌🏻

While others criticize this album for not having stronger backing instrumentation or memorable hooks, I think that it has these things at a more subtle scale. Every song is groovy and chill, and you have to slow down to appreciate it.

Listened some more—this really is a cool, chill vibe with some real jams. Great atmosphere and just loose enough to keep it feeling alive.

A.D. 3000 is an amazing tune. Lots of jazzy stuff to dig into here. Eryka is one of a kind.

Oh yeah, c'est du hip et du hop funky à la Jamiroquai bien braisé!

Badu is like a slightly more chill version of Lauren Hill - which I dig. Very poetic, kinda funky. Good stuff.

Soul at best

really liked this, super chilled and her voice is awesome

Really good, soul/r&b

Can I give this a 5? No because I accidentally gave Abby Road a 4. Lol

Nice- chill out beat

Love it.

Here's another name I've heard most of my life but never paid attention to. Compared to soul/R&B contemporary Lauryn Hill, I don't get as excited about Badu but that's not to say she's not a phenomenal singer.

This album enveloped me like a warm sweater. It got my head on straight. It told me to keep my chin up and move forward, and to dance. I'll be listening again. Highlights: Penitentiary Philosophy, Didn't Cha Know, ...& On, In Love With You

Jazz and soul inflected, with some strong songs, the album is laid back and meanders a bit, but this reflects the way it was made. The album is long and unfocussed for a reason; it's the vibe. Possibly one of the strongest of the soulquarian/neo-soul albums of this period, Badu's voice is at its peak. Questlove and (especially) Dilla bring their woozy rhythms to play. Some terrific players guesting, like Questlove, Pino Palladino, Dilla, Roy Ayers, Betty Wright. Neosoul really did it for me; the mix of analogue soul approach with a hip hop sensibility was right up my alley, and this album is one of the best. Mwah - chef's kiss. I confess that Jill Scott is actually my favourite artist of that soulquarian/neosoul scene. I saw both Jill Scott and Erykah Badu live in Sydney in 2013/14, and fell hard for Ms. Scott; she's the bomb. It doesn't diminish my love and appreciation of this terrific album.

I quite liked this one. I didn't catch a lot of the lyrics because I had to multitask and listen to this one BUT I liked the sound a lot. Taking a star off because the longer songs are definitely TOO long and started to wear on me. But as a whole I would definitely look forward listening to this one again. Definitely funky, definitely something to groove to.

A lot of substance here, and a pleasure to listen to.

il soul anni tardi 90 con un po' di jazz e sperimentazione mi conquista sempre. brava la mia ononima col nome scritto strano.

Questo album è una bomba assolutamente inaspettata, la tipa è fortissima e il mood è unico. Nota di merito per le transizioni, che al 90% solo così smooth che quasi non ti accorgi che la traccia è cambiata

Heard the name but never the music, but I really enjoyed her voice. Super smooth, and really easy listening. My only criticism was that it was longgggg, there’s so many long albums on this list and I seem to keep getting them one after another 😩

Astonishingly beautiful and transcendent album.

Irresistibly smooth, but with an undercurrent of sly humor and playful sexuality. Could perhaps be a little shorter.

Didn’t like all the songs but felt like a high quality album. Pino is a god and it’s always a pleasure to hear him play

This album was my introduction to Erykah years ago and I fell in love with her voice and energy. Didn’t Cha Know is perfect for summer time drives

Very enjoyable easy listening.

Good this

3-4

Solid R&B sound. I don't always love what she does with her vocal inflections, but I was entertained the whole way through.

Ended up digging this way more than I thought I would.

Maybe anything would have sounded good after the previous album, but the vocals are good and I enjoyed the layered sounds of the instruments. Just wish there were more tracks with the same type of energy as the first one.

She sings her heart out. It's a really good album and not the type of songs I typically hear on the radio.

Good chill vibes, maybe not every day listening but it’s good for a specific vibe!

Erykah Badu's debut album "Baduizm" is one of my favorite albums of all time. That, and "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" were both my first exposure to the neo-soul genre and are what I think of when I see the word neo-soul. Considering how much I enjoy funk, hip-hop and R&B, plus all of the genre fusions that comprise of neo-soul, it's no surprise that the few albums of this genre that I've been exposed to are among my all-time favorites. But back to Erykah Badu. For whatever reason, I never really explored the rest of her discography. I almost feel bad, because now I'm asking myself where "Mama's Gun" was all my life! This is some more of what I loved from "Baduizm". Almost like a spiritual sequel of sorts, albeit a bit more toned back and introspective here. A lot flows together, which some view as a negative, but that makes an album's overall listening experience pretty smooth. "Baduizm" will always be the "bigger" album to me (an easy 5 if it were on this list), but "Mama's Gun" peels back the curtains a bit and gives us a glimpse into Badu's personal life at the time, as the listener witnesses her artistic evolution in real time.

listened to again honestly i slept on this last time i listened to it, it's super solid

It started kind of slowly for me, but picked up after the first 1/3. Atmospheric in a really nice way and I could hear the influences forward and backward.

Listening at work, love the vibe.

👍

A really vibey listen

Didn't know this at all. Enjoying the laid-back vibe. Her voice glides over the laid-back rhythms. Soul meets hip hop and they have a rhythm track baby.

Really enjoyed this and I'll revisit to give it some more attention. Sylvia heard me listening and said he's very familiar with Erykah and this album. Cool that she still is relevant to the kids these days.

Was pleasantly surprised by this one. 4/5

Didn’t Cha Know about this one? It’s like that time when the Orange Moon was out back in A.D. 2000

Neo soul. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Oooh, this is funky good. Love her voice. Ahhh, very nice.

I really enjoyed this. Nice way to get through the morning.

Funny, soulful, jazzy

That album was good, but a bit bloated. I definitely prefer the streamlined Baduizm. That being said I like the lyrics and grooves of these songs and could see myself listening to this again. 3.6/5 -> 4/5.

I can see the comparisons to D'angelo's 'Voodoo', that album also has A+ production. The drums hit hard and the bass is smooth and warm, love all the jazzy instrumentation, great sounding beats over the whole thing. Erykah's voice is lovely throughout. I was tuning out a little bit towards the end when the songs felt a bit more stretched out than the ones before, but never heard a weak song really.

An excellent jazz/funk/psychedelic rock listening experience. "Didn't Cha Know" sounds great. "Booty" sounds like a really shady track, and ends up being a song about solidarity of not wanting to take another woman's unfaithful man. "Bag Lady" is so groovy.

Surprisingly good

closer to a 3.5 for me, but I think with more listens, I’ll warm up to this one

Good vibes on a sunny day.

My kind of music. Listened to it while drinking champagne with my new flatmate which was a vibe. Just going to be a positive album for me I reckon. Possibly even a 5* after a few more listens

4.5 Funky and enjoyable all the way through. Another one that I just played over and over on loop all day. Beats for days and such an interesting voice

New to me and really, really good. Touch long but this is full to the brim of quality funk.

I thought this album was pretty neat. Not a ton of standout tracks, but just the overall feeling if the album was solid. There's a lot of soul, a lot of jazz...neat stuff. She uses her voice like an instrument. Fav tracks: My Life, Green Eyes

Enjoyed that, having never heard of her before.

Mama's Gun: A Deep Dive into Erykah Badu's Introspection Released in 2000, Erykah Badu's second studio album, "Mama's Gun," marks a distinct shift from the laid-back grooves of her critically acclaimed debut, "Baduizm." This introspective journey delves into themes of motherhood, self-discovery, and resilience, showcasing Badu's growth as an artist and her willingness to experiment with sound. Lyrical Exploration: Vulnerability and Empowerment One of the album's most impactful elements is Badu's lyrical honesty. Tracks like "The World Is a Wonderful Place" and "...& On" lay bare her anxieties and vulnerabilities as a young mother, grappling with self-doubt and societal pressures. In "You Got Me," however, Badu embraces her strength and independence, declaring, "You got me / I got me / That's all we need." This duality, of vulnerability and empowerment, runs through the album, creating a complex and relatable portrait of womanhood. Musically Eclectic: A Fusion of Sounds While "Baduizm" established Badu's signature neo-soul sound, "Mama's Gun" embraces a wider sonic palette. The album opens with the surprising industrial rock influences of "Penitentiary Philosophy," showcasing Badu's fearlessness in exploring new sonic territories. Tracks like "Tyrone" and "Booty" lean towards traditional soul and funk, while "My Life" incorporates jazz influences. This eclectic mix reflects the album's thematic diversity, allowing different moods and emotions to take center stage. Production: Organic and Intimate The production on "Mama's Gun" is deliberately stripped-down and organic. Live instrumentation takes precedence, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. The use of sampling is minimal, allowing for Badu's voice and the musicianship to shine through. This production style complements the album's introspective nature, making the listener feel as if they are invited into Badu's intimate space. Themes: Motherhood, Identity, and Self-Love The album's core theme revolves around the complexities of motherhood. Badu explores the joys and challenges of raising a child, particularly in "The World Is a Wonderful Place" and "My Life." Beyond motherhood, "Mama's Gun" speaks to broader themes of self-discovery and navigating societal expectations. Tracks like "Bag Lady" and "Time's a Thief" encourage introspection and self-acceptance, empowering listeners to shed emotional baggage and embrace their personal journeys. Influence: A Lasting Legacy "Mama's Gun" received critical acclaim upon release, solidifying Badu's status as a leading voice in neo-soul. The album's influence extends beyond the genre, inspiring artists across different musical styles to embrace vulnerability and experiment with their sound. Additionally, Badu's frank discussions about motherhood resonated with a generation of women, paving the way for a more honest portrayal of this experience in popular culture. Pros: Emotional depth and vulnerability in the lyrics. Musical experimentation and diverse soundscapes. Warm and intimate production that prioritizes live instrumentation. Exploration of important themes like motherhood, self-discovery, and self-love. Lasting influence on the music industry and popular culture. Cons: The album's introspective nature and stripped-down production may not appeal to all listeners who prefer a more polished or commercial sound. Some might find the lyrical content overly personal or even cryptic in its symbolism. The genre-bending approach may leave listeners who prefer a clear musical direction wanting more cohesion. Conclusion: "Mama's Gun" stands as a testament to Erykah Badu's artistic evolution and willingness to explore challenging themes with honesty and vulnerability. Through its diverse soundscapes and impactful lyrics, the album offers a unique and intimate listening experience, prompting introspection and leaving a lasting impression on the listener long after the final note fades. While not without its potential limitations, the album's strengths far outweigh any shortcomings, solidifying its place as a pivotal work in Badu's career and the broader musical landscape.

Very well produced and with some great vocal performances. I don't think it quite has enough to push it into the 5* category, but it was a good listen.

Hell yeah. Bag lady is so good.

sassy funky RnB with beautiful jazz and motown elements woven throughout. A truly groundbreaking album.

Dug this way more than I expected. Creative song writing. I had no idea I was into Neo-soul. Really good stuff.

Excellent album! So good

Can't say I've heard anything like this before. Even for something released over twenty years ago, it still sounds fresh and vibrant. Love the dips into Parliament-style funk, and the vibe of classic jazz throughout. Only complaint is that it finds the lane it wants to be in, and rarely ever truly breaks free from that, leading to a record that might be a little easy to just vibe to and zone out a little. Favorite tracks: "Penitentiary Philosophy", "A.D. 2000", "Orange Moon"

Cool surprise with great bass lines

Groovy as F*

A whole new experience for me when it comes to this Album 💗

4/5. A beautiful and heartfelt album, you can feel Badu's pain and sadness through the album, even if they are silly or not serious. Themes of self-doubt and acceptance, personal view versus society's view. I really enjoyed this, some songs were a little slow, but otherwise, nice and chill, vibing music if you will.

Amazing album. Some of the smoothest beats I have ever heard. Also, Erykah Badu has an amazing voice. It goes great with the hip hop/ jazz instrumentals. The storytelling is also very good. The jazz influence is heavy and I love it. The album ends with Green Eyes, a nice, long, jazzy song that ties the whole album together beautifully. 9/10

A very beautiful album Erykah Badu’s voice is wonderful traveling through the songs floating around exquisitely without being overtly showy.

Diana Ross meets Billy Holiday with backgrounds of r and b, funk, jazz and folk?

This is solid so far. Only into track 2 but now I know why she is so good. This is a really solid album. I really love the sound, the soulness, her voice, her lyrics.

A very good soul/funk album. Great beats. Unfortunate that EB has said terrible/controversial things over the years.

I’ve always loved Erika Badu. Such a great vibe. Definitely nice morning music. Not a whole lot to her words but overall good. I listen to every minute of this long album. I totally enjoyed it.

A quality neo-soul album, and maybe Badu’s best? There are some beautifully groovy tracks on here and the first 40 minutes or so absolutely flies by - unfortunately a couple of songs towards the end do drag a little bit, in particular the quite clunky closer Green Eyes

God, that guitar riff on the first track! Just forces you to groove with it. Brilliant! Just some RnB goodness, gloriously made. Songs can drag a little at the end, but that's a small quibble - at some point being able to have the beat continue on for a while would be exactly what I'd want. Favourite tracks: Penitentiary Philosophy(great riff), Cleva (great chorus), A.D. 2000 (great drums), Green Eyes (some great lyrics, if a little long)

Som bem envolvente, agradável

This album was a good listen and has some very tight playing and interesting vocals. It has a near cinematic feel with most songs segueing into each other or carrying similar themes. This could also be a negative as it could create a sense of sameness. Still, this is obviously well crafted and it also just sounds excellent from a recording stand point.

Quality vocals, great lyrics, good beat Slight religious overtone

Very good, well made and smooth like butter

The vibe of the album is immaculate. I personally don't like her voice, but I fully recognize that this is a me problem and not the singer's.

Chill with reggae kinda vibes

Great record! I love the sound of Erykah Badu’s voice, it fits her style of jazz/hip-hop so well. I’m mostly familiar with her first album and her many guest vocal appearances, but I liked this even more than I thought I would.

Was ready for this to be lame, but it was very good. I didn't know it would kick as much as it does. 3.75/5

Very good. Very interesting vocals but good and compliments the groovy music

Didn't Cha Know Kiss Me On My Neck In Love With You

"Unbalanced" often goes with raw, an unsubtle tipping toward strong emotion. Badu's (and how unfair is it to use that name that way) sophomore record is in an adjacent quadrant: The imbalance and indeed the entire sound is carefully controlled. It's easy-going, but the particular affect behind many a song here is anger. Something about that feels very Dallas or is simply newfound-misplaced patriotism.

A cool laid back chill album, loved the soul/jazzy vibe.

Very well-produced, had some bops. I enjoyed it. Consistent start to finish.

I am not usually a fan of R&B but Erykah Badu is pretty good. I love the soul and trip-hoppy elements in some of her tracks. Favorite Song(s): "Didn't Cha Know", "Cleva", "Bag Lady", "Penitentiary Philosophy"

Ai että! Hieno levy. Jotenkin ei-häiritsevää neo-soulia. Mutsilla oli tää cd kun olin juniori ja tätä tuli kyl luukutettua. Hyvii tekstejä ja soundit hyvissä maisemissa. Vahva nelonen! 4/5

Hyvä funk-levy ja kova solisti! 4/5

Liked it

Un très bon album soul, c'est vraiment une bonne ambiance du début à la fin. Erikah a vraiment une très belle voix sensuelle. Le principal défaut de l'album c'Est qu'il est toujours un peu trop pareil et long, mais autrement c'est vraiment très bon. 8/10

A beautiful and witty album

Geloof het of niet, maar dit is de eerste artiest van de lijst die ik ooit live heb gezien (want ik ging nooit naar Lowlands en al die andere dingen). Umbria Jazz in Perugia, dubbelconcert met Al Jarreau (die niet in de lijst staat). Toen vond ik het eigenlijk niet zo'n succes, het was een lange zit (Al was beter). Dit album luistert daarentegen aardig weg. R&B, soul, funk, hoe je het maar wil noemen, best relaxt. Maar gratis tip: niet live gaan zien...

Excellent neo-soul album.

Very cool 8/10

This is definitely edging on quite good: I wouldn't say this is an immediate decision for a good rating but I'm not sure how to feel about it. I clicked play and loved the first few songs, thought it was perfect but then it sort of drowned out into background mumble and nothingness making it sit with an almost underwhelming feeling after the first few songs. I don't think it's bad at all but just can't rate it too high bc I just got bored.

terapeutico disco

Very talented singer. I noticed a few bars were ripped by Lin Manuel Miranda for Hamilton.

pretty cool

Okay, the album is a little long and a little samey. But honestly, those are small complaints in this regard. I have a feeling that it won't feel as long to me when I'm not under time pressure like I was today. I cannot believe I'd never heard of Erykah Badu until today. What a queen. What a one of a kind artist. She melds jazz, soul and hip-hop so seamlessly into an extremely distinctive sound (am I wrong to say there's a touch of reggae influence as well?). Yes, those are the same influences that you hear in RnB, and this is more than a little RnB, but it's more than that. It sounds so much more distinctive and colourful than any RnB I've ever heard. The instrumentals are way more eclectic and interesting. But that's not all... we need to talk about HER VOICE. Honestly, it's so beautiful! She has a gorgeous tone with so much expression and beautiful inflections. This was especially noticeable when juxtaposed against that one feature, Stephen Marley, who can't sing to save his life. He sounds like he's always gasping for air or something. Oh well, something I'll have to get used to. Also, her lyrics are amazing! There are so many positive messages presented on this album, and all of them are really well done. Even the songs I thought I wouldn't like too much, like "Booty," I ended up loving because the message was positive. Favourite tracks: My Life, ...& On, Orange Moon, Bag Lady

Oh, this was just lovely. Laid back, silky, earthy, sexy. Everything you want in a great soul album. Fave Songs: Bag Lady, Didn't Cha Know?, In Love with You, My Life, Time's a Wastin', Orange Moon, Green Eyes

This is great so far. Super groovy, can hear roots of lots of more modern hip hop and rnb. Lots of Kendrick Lamar.

I didn’t really think I was going to like this going in, but it was really groovy