For most hip-hop fanatics, neo-soul singer/songwriter Fana Hues might not ring a bell. However, those who checked out Tyler, The Creator’s CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, you might know her from the two-parter, “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE”. If this is the amount of knowledge you have on the Pasadena, California artist, then we encourage you to check out her solo discography. Fana Hues possesses an incredibly soothing voice, as well as a great ear for instrumentals. Just like her vocal abilities, the sounds Fana Hues goes for on Moth are hypnotic and serene. They play perfectly alongside her topical focus and the delivery of said themes, making for a satisfying listening experience.
If you are wondering if the title of Moth is a possible acronym for anything, it actually is. According to an interview with Essence, Fana Hues explains that it translates to “Matters Of The Heart”. Also during her chat with the publication, the 28-year-old talks about what this project is all trying to convey. “This album is definitely me putting the mirror up to myself and seeing where I’m at, where I want to be and how to get there”, she says. In another sit-down, this time with Rated R&B, Fana also speaks on how it pertains to the actual insect while expanding on aforementioned journey. “Moths fly through darkness constantly searching for light even at the risk of harm. I’m always en route on a journey to find the reason for a feeling in its purest form, even if it hurts”. From its layered meaning to the songs overall, Fana has a great record on her hands.
Erykah Badu’s influence on modern music and culture is very evident in the current landscape of R&B music. A pioneer of the neo-soul movement, she is known for her distinct singing voice and eccentric style. Badu’s contributions to music in the late 1990s and 2000s have cemented her legacy as one of the most distinguished R&B singers. Her catalog of music is almost flawless, which HotNewHipHop recently highlighted in a ranking of her five studio albums. Badu has plenty of hits in her consistent discography, which fans celebrated as they flocked to attend her recent arena tour of North America. Below, we’ve ranked Erykah Badu’s 7 biggest hit songs. Take a look at the list below.
7. “Didn’t Cha Know?” (2000)
“Didn’t Cha Know?” is one of the most celebrated tracks in Erykah Badu’s catalog. The J Dilla-produced instrumental compliments her calming voice with its soothing sample of Tarika Blue’s “Dreamflower.” “Didn’t Cha Know?” is arguably one of the best songs in 2000’s Mama’s Gun, embodying the artistic chemistry between Badu and Dilla before his passing in 2006. The song peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart and has been sampled and referenced by hip-hop artists like J. Cole, Logic, and Smoke DZA. “Didn’t Cha Know?” was also nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2002 Grammy Awards.
This cut from Erykah Badu’s 1997 debut album Baduizm is a slow and soulful ballad that incorporates elements of jazz. Produced by The Roots and Richard Nichols, “Otherside Of The Game” sees Badu playing the role of a woman expecting a baby with a man engaged in illegal activities. She explores her moral conflicts, thinking about her child’s future and the possible outcomes of her lifestyle. The six-minute long track peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart while placing at No. 14 on their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.
5. “Next Lifetime” (1997)
Much like “Otherside Of The Game,” “Next Lifetime” is a 6-minute ballad from Baduizm. The song sees Erykah Badu in a relationship while she expresses feelings for another man, torn between two love interests. She makes her decision, telling the other man that she will see him in the next lifetime. The song reached No. 1 positions on both Billboard’s Adult R&B chart and their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart. It also charted in the UK, New Zealand, and The Netherlands.
The lead single from Mama’s Gun, “Bag Lady” puts Erykah Badu’s songwriting skills on full display. She sings about the emotional baggage that one carries with them in a relationship. Badu croons about dragging bags around in a literal sense while referring to the baggage that weighs one down. She encourages the bag lady to “pack light” and to let go of her worries and emotional traumas.
The single secured a No. 1 spot atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart while peaking at No. 2 on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts. “Bag Lady” also peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The “Cheeba Sac Radio Edit” of the song reworked Badu’s vocals over Dr. Dre’s “Xxplosive,” giving the song a hip-hop edge. In 2001, “Bag Lady” received two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
3. “Tyrone” (1997)
While the majority of Erykah Badu’s biggest hit songs come from her first two critically acclaimed albums, one of her biggest hits is from a live recording. Erykah Badu completely improvised “Tyrone” during a performance in 1997, but now, people regard it as one of her most iconic songs. It is both quirky and soulful as she playfully sings with the help of her band and background singers. It may be a live performance, but “Tyrone” performed well on the charts, achieving No. 1 status on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts.
2. “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” Ft. Common (2002)
One of Erykah Badu’s biggest hits comes from her third album, 2003’s Worldwide Underground. “Love of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” was the second collaboration between Badu and Common and continues the theme of referring to hip hop as a love interest, which the latter had done on previous occasions. Common first likened his love for hip hop to that of a woman on his song “I Used To Love H.E.R.” and his verse on The Roots’ “Act Too (Love of My Life).” Produced by Raphael Saadiq, “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)” was quite successful, landing the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #4 on Adult R&B Songs chart, as well as No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and the Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award.
1. “On & On” (1996)
Erykah Badu’s debut single remains her biggest hit to date and her only song to ever receive a gold certification, as well as a silver plaque in the UK. “On & On” showcases Erykah Badu’s unique artistry with the way she floats over the instrumental’s calming groove. A seminal song for the neo-soul movement of the 1990s, “On & On” saw a great amount of commercial success upon its release. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as securing No. 1 spots on the R&B charts. It also performed well in international markets. Erykah Badu won her first Grammy Award for “On & On” in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. It is also one of her most influential songs as it has been sampled numerous times by artists like Mac Miller, The Game, and Mos Def.
Erykah Badu’s catalog of music is unparalleled. The legendary singer can be characterized by her instantly recognizable voice and her spiritual approach to music. Her distinct tone and unconventional style set her apart from other R&B and soul artists of the 1990s and the 2000s. A leader of the neo-soul movement, Erykah Badu pushed boundaries and her influence is still clear today in the current landscape of R&B music. Badu is also known for her unique fashion sense, which she recently claimed Beyoncé copied. While she has not released a new album in over a decade, she can still fill arenas, which she did this summer on a North American tour alongside Yasiin Bey. This is a list of Erykah Badu’s five studio albums, ranked in ascending order. Take a look at the list below.
Ranking at the bottom of Erykah Badu’s discography is her third studio album, 2003’s Worldwide Underground. While it is a great album on its own, it does not stack up against her other releases. Erykah sings well over the production, but the songwriting does not compare to that of Baduizm or Mama’s Gun. The production is fitting for Badu, but songs like “Love Of My Life Worldwide” hold the album back. Still, Worldwide Underground is full of feel-good grooves from James Poyser and others. Erykah Badu’s worst album is better than most R&B albums coming out today, which speaks volumes about the quality of her catalog.
Badu’s fourth album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) marked a new era in her career. In a post-neo soul era, she departed from her signature sound, favoring psychedelic hip-hop production from Madlib, Karriem Riggins, 9th Wonder, and more. The experimental sound was fitting for the album’s political themes. New Amerykah Part One explored topics of urban oppression, poverty, and Black identity, leaning more into socially aware lyricism than ever before. The song “Master Teacher” helped popularize the term “stay woke” influencing Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” as well as modern activism as a whole.
New Amerykah Part One is Erykah Badu’s most lyrically profound album. While the songwriting and Badu’s eccentric sound drive the appeal of the album, it may not always result in the best songs. New Amerykah Part One surely stands out in Erykah Badu’s discography, but the album’s sequel arguably outranks it.
3. New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010)
Erykah Badu’s most recent studio album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) captures the essence of her best works but also shows her evolution. It includes the warm, feel-good love songs of Baduizm and the unpredictability of Mama’s Gun. It also has the groovy production and loose structure of Worldwide Underground and the psychedelic edge of New Amerykah Part One. In contrast to Part One, this album is significantly more personal than its politically conscious predecessor. Erykah Badu is at her best when she sings from an autobiographical perspective. She shows both personal and artistic growth in New Amerykah Part Two. With all that being said, it is hard to beat the classics.
Mama’s Gun includes many of Erykah Badu’s most iconic songs, including the J Dilla-produced “Didn’t Cha Know.” Arguably her best-produced effort, Mama’s Gun played a key role in the Soulquarians era. In a short period of time, Badu, along with The Roots, D’Angelo, Common, Q-Tip, and others ushered in a movement of alternative hip-hop, jazz, and neo-soul. The album’s opener, “Penitentiary Philosophy” is a prime display of artistic minds coming together during a creative peak to make a legendary record. Erykah Badu’s seminal second album established her signature sound along with the help of close collaborators that would shape her future works. An all-time classic, Mama’s Gun was an era-defining album for R&B and soul.
Mama’s Gun may be a close contender for Erykah Badu’s best album, but her debut album, Baduizm ranks high as her strongest release. The album showcased her unique voice and personality, creating a seamless vibe that was completely unmatched at the time. Featuring some of her best songwriting and arguably her best vocal performances, Baduizm has aged incredibly well. Hit singles like “On & On” and “Next Lifetime” have transcended the neo-soul label and have become some of Badu’s most classic songs. Undoubtedly one of the best albums of the ‘90s and arguably of all time, Baduizm continues to influence R&B and soul music today.
On this date in 2000, neo-soul pioneer D’Angelo dropped his second full-length studio album, Voodoo, to follow up on the epic 1995 Brown Sugar LP.
Recording sessions for the album took place from 1998 to 1999 at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, featuring an extensive line-up of musicians associated with the Soulquarians musical collective. Produced primarily by D’Angelo, Voodoo also features production from the legendary DJ Premier and neo-soul mainstay Raphael Saadiq. The album features lyrical themes regarding relationships, sexuality, growth, and fatherhood.
With the armor of heavy promotion and an anticipated release, the album was released to commercial and critical success. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 320,000 copies in its first week, and spent 33 weeks on the chart. It was promoted with five singles, including the hit single “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” whose music video garnered D’Angelo mainstream attention and controversy. Upon its release, Voodoo received general acclaim from music critics and earned D’Angelo several accolades. It was named one of the year’s best albums by numerous publications.
Salute to D’Angelo and everyone who took part in creating this timeless masterpiece!
