New Amerykah Album Review

Quoted as saying that her four time nominated Worldwide Underground EP was, “… designed to serve as one continuous groove.”, whether intentional or not, Erykah Badu’s New Amerykah picks up where she left off. Held as one of 2008’s most anticipated albums, New Amerykah represents part one of a three disc series and does not disappoint. Recognized as one of the founders of the Neo-Soul movement, Ms. Badu once again separates herself from her peers and refuses to fit into one specific genre. From soul, jazzy funk to hip-hop, New Amerykah promises to take you on a journey.

Erykah wastes no time setting the mood with the album’s first track “Amerykahn Promise,” which opens with a classic 70’s funk feel. Without any delay California producer Madlib stamps his signature abstract sound and heavy beat on “The Healer,” which only compliments all of the elements of Ms. Badu’s voice that fans have grown to love. On this track, Erykah speaks of the power of hip-hop while paying tribute to J Dilla. It was hard figuring out whether the song and her voice were actually more powerful than the message she was trying to convey. The next track entitled “Me” is self-explanatory, as Erykah exposes herself to her audience with this smooth reflective record, which reminds us all of why we first fell in love with her artistry.

Not to be misinterpreted as just a feel good album with a great flow, the second half of the album creates a vibe that could inspire one to start the next demonstration or movement with tracks such as “My People”, “Soldier”, “Twinkle” and “Master Teacher”, in which she poses the question “What if there was no niggas only master teachers?” And just before we are all ready to move forward with the next march and start the revolution, tracks like “The Cell” and “That Hump”, remind us of the evils still crippling our people.

Just when you think the album has taken you everywhere possible, the ?uestlove/James Poyser produced Dilla tribute “Telephone”, is this album’s “Orange Moon.” I literally was doing 20mph in a 55mph zone, when this beat dropped and I was paralyzed. If for whatever reason your appetite is still not satisfied, the 9th Wonder produced lead single “Honey” provides full nourishment as a bonus track to round at this LP.

The imagery used on the album cover alone foreshadows all of the messages discussed throughout. This album acts as a compilation of Ms. Badu’s previous three albums, (four, if we include the live one). Unlike many R&B artists who use high profiled rappers to gain that hip-hop recognition, the Analog Girl manages to establish herself as a undeniable representation of hip-hop while staying true to her craft. With heavy production from Madlib and Sa-Ra as well as assisting with the production herself, this album is definitely for the people. The only thing that I would encourage is that you listen to this album a few times before any critiques in occur, to have a full understanding and appreciation of the gift that Ms. Erykah Badu has so graciously given.