Metal Leaves Studio
  • Home
  • Profile
  • Contact
  • Editorial
  • MUSIC Gallery
  • Event Services
  • EVENT Gallery
  • Portrait Services
  • PORTRAIT Gallery
  • Blog

Amerykah the Beautiful

7/1/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
Erykah Badu ©Nicole Wrona/MLS
As the boats sailed along the Detroit River, and dusk turned to night, Erykah Badu glided onto the stage. The songstress took her place in the spotlight at the Chene Park Amphitheater; an idyllic setting which complemented Ms. Badu's brilliant beauty. Appearing like a modern angel, she rocked an electric blue fedora and a dove white kaftan.

"I got my Dee-troit brim on."  she said, pronouncing the city as an insider would, and immediately made the evening even more inviting. Although she hails from Texas, spending time off from touring between Dallas and Brooklyn, she seemingly has an affinity towards the Motor City as she has worked with musicians that repped Detroit hard- J Dilla- or have lived here- Jay Electronica.

The performance itself was as mesmerizing as Badu's voice.  She is a consummate performer; seductive and humorous, playful yet dramatic, serene and confrontational, seemingly all at once. Her music was comprised of a wide range of styles, stemming from soul and R&B to synth, with hip-hop tendencies sprinkled throughout.  Her voice provided a sophisticated accompaniment that fused the unique sounds together.

Erykah grew up listening to 70s soul and 80s hip-hop.  Her current musical influences include Minnie Riperton, and listens to "the Emotions, Steely Dan, Anita Baker, and Pink Floyd, specifically The Dark Side of the Moon."

Ms. Badu is personally inspired by Harriet Tubman, recalling a story that illustrates why she is such an inspiration to her,  [Harriet Tubman]  'threatened to shoot anyone who tried to return... [to the plantation] she pointed a gun to their head and said, "You go on or die." '

It is no surprise that she was raised within a theatrical environment  and majored in theatre and performance.  Erykah seems to enjoy being onstage and the art of performing. She is an indelible singer, and is confident enough to have fun with the audience. 

Sometimes she slithered down the mike stand as if it were a stripper pole, intermittently joked with the audience, followed by interludes of her moving like a straight ridah. Although most of her performance conjures up Billie Holiday or Sade, she holds the capacity to be edgier than those with whom she is often compared.  

Erykah Badu refuses to allow herself to get stuck within one persona. She holds the ability to utilize the many sides of her personality. At once, she can appear so quietly confident that it is disarming, yet at the same time, can seem like she would knock you out in a second, simply with a glance in your direction. 

Bringing to mind something heard time after time: Do not look directly into the eyes of Erykah Badu.  There are many explanations as to why- definitely not because she is Medusa. It is most likely because you will look into the eyes of an individual who genuinely believes in what she says.  A rare quality to possess- it may scare you. If you don't buy into this reasoning, then avert your glance- you might turn to stone.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    All images & text ©Nicole Wrona

    Categories

    All
    Art & Design
    Celebrations
    Detroit
    Event
    Music
    New York

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.