There have been debates and speculations surrounding the artist Erykah Badu and her alleged involvement in witchcraft. Some fans and critics have suggested that her music and persona display elements of witchcraft and mysticism. However, it is essential to understand that these claims are mainly based on interpretations and personal beliefs rather than concrete evidence. Erykah Badu is known for her unique style and artistic expressions, which include references to spirituality and the esoteric. Her music often explores themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and spirituality, drawing inspiration from various sources, including African spirituality, indigenous traditions, and mysticism. This incorporation of spiritual elements has led some individuals to label her as a witch or practitioner of witchcraft.
Witch Prophet
Witch Prophet is a queer, Ethiopian/Eritrean singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats: think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity.
Witch Prophet has shared the stage with and opened for acts like THEESatisfaction, Shabazz Palaces, Lido Pimienta, A Tribe Called Red, Climbing Poetree, SAMMUS, Sean Leon, JPEGMAFIA, The Cliks, Rae Spoon, Zaki Ibrahim, Kae Sun, and LAL, to name a few.
Her vocals have appeared on Shad's Flying Colours LP (2013), 2009's Polaris Prize winner Fucked Up's LP Dose your Dreams (2018), as well as DillanPonders’ newest album Because We’re Alive (2020). She has toured Europe independently twice, playing shows in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Berlin, and performed at North American and European music festivals including Black Women Rock, New Skool Rules, Soul Of Brooklyn, Allied Media Conference, Montreal Jazz Festival, Sappy Fest, Electric Eclectic, Summerworks, Ottawa Capital Pride, Pride Toronto, Pop Montreal, and Halifax Pop Explosion.
Witch Prophet released her Ontario Arts Council-funded sophomore LP DNA Activation in 2020, an ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots, fusing Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and RnB with songs sung in English, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Co-produced by herself and her partner SUN SUN, praised by press and music lovers alike, DNA Activation was shortlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize. She has since been signed to Ki An Projects, a new label in the UK for the release of a deluxe edition of DNA Activation. The video for her song Tesfay directed by Leah Vlemmiks was nominated for the 2021 Prism Prize and was an official selection at the 2021 SXSW Music Video awards.
Witch Prophet
Witch Prophet is a queer, Ethiopian/Eritrean singer-songwriter based in Toronto. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Jill Scott. Her EPs H.P.B. and Architect of Heartbreak Remixes were met with great praise when released in 2016 and 2017, as was her highly anticipated album The Golden Octave , released via her own label Heart Lake Records in 2018.
In March of 2020, Witch Prophet released her Ontario Arts Council funded sophomore LP DNA Activation , an ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots, fusing jazz, hip-hop, soul and R&B, with songs sung in English, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Co-produced by herself and her partner Sun Sun, and praised by press and music lovers alike, DNA Activation was shortlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize.
“[Witch Prophet’s] dreamy blend of R&B is equal parts KING and Control era Janet Jackson” – Bandcamp
“Choose your own dosage, but Witch Prophet’s woozy r&b song for healing is meant to be put on repeat” – NPR
“…the [Architect of Heartbreak] remixes are a striking testament to the strength of the original track, and to the wide appeal and versatility of Witch Prophet’s sound” – NOW Magazine
“H.P.B. is only four songs long, but you can revel in the intersection of its soul, R&B and hip-hop nods for days.” – CBC Music
Past Appearances
February 27, 2021 @ 7:00 pm
Witch Prophet
Witch Prophet is a queer, East African, singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity.
She has shared the stage with and opened for acts like Lido Pimienta, Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, The Hallucination (fka A Tribe Called Red), SAMMUS, Sean Leon, JPEGMAFIA, Climbing Poetree and Zaki Ibrahim to name a few.
Her vocals have appeared on Shad’s “Flying Colours” LP (2013), 2009’s Polaris Prize winner Fucked Up’s LP “Dose your Dreams” (2018), as well as DillanPonders newest album “Because We’re Alive” (2020). She has toured Europe independently twice; playing shows in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Berlin, as well as performed at North American and European music festivals like: Black Women Rock, New Skool Rules, Soul Of Brooklyn, Allied Media Conference, Montreal Jazz Festival, Sappy Fest, Electric Eclectic, Summerworks, Ottawa Capital Pride, Pride Toronto, Pop Montreal, Halifax Pop Explosion and so many more!
In March of 2020, Witch Prophet released her Ontario Arts Council funded sophomore LP “D.N.A Activation”. An ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots, fusing Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and RnB with songs sung in English, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Co-produced by herself and her partner SUN SUN, praised by press and music lovers alike, DNA Activation was shortlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize. She has since released a deluxe edition of DNA Activation featuring remix tracks with rappers Stas THEE Boss and LATASHÁ.
The video for her song Tesfay directed by Leah Vlemmiks was nominated for the 2021 Prism Prize and was an official selection at the 2021 Rhode Island International Film Festival as well as the 2021 SXSW Music Video awards. Tesfay was also nominated in the UKMVA’s Best International RnB/Soul video category alongside Beyoncé, Cardi B, Normani, The Weeknd, and Bryson Tiller. Her newest video for her single Makda was released May 2021 and debuted on FADER.
Review: Erykah Badu is mesmerizing, magical in St. Paul concert
Erykah Badu has been known to keep her fans waiting. The high priestess of neo-soul has not released a proper studio album since 2010. She didn't headline a Twin Cities concert between 2001 and 2021.
When she returned to St. Paul on Friday night at Xcel Energy Center, her band played on and on for 15 minutes, waiting for her to join them onstage. Then, she made an entrance, of course. Badu is always a visual treat.
Shiny stove pipe hat with a witch's brim. Green-sequined floor-length coat, with 24-inch-long tubes of fur trim around her neck and knees. Wraparound glasses that lit up with different colors. And braids that fell to her feet. Green laser lights framed Badu as she sang "20 Feet Tall." And she certainly seemed larger than life.
A Badu concert is a cosmic experience, part jazzy hip-hop soul trip, part modern dance performance, part visual feast, part liberating spiritual awakening. She never ceases to take you on a trip through her mind and your own. Friday's concert was as mesmerizingly magical as her 2021 performance at the Armory in Minneapolis.
Like David Bowie and Prince before her, and Beyoncé and Janelle Monáe after her, Badu is one of pop music's marvelous visionaries. She comes with a well contemplated philosophy and an evolved concept for the sound, messages and visuals of her art.
In her 90 minutes onstage in St. Paul, the Dallas native offered several of her hits, including "On & On," "Bag Lady" and an abbreviated "Appletree." She even snuck in a taste of Ari Lennox's 2018 hit "Whipped Cream" during her own "Window Seat."
Badu delivered the autobiographical "Me," sharing her history (claiming she's 56 when most bios say 52) for the uninitiated, which seemed to be a significant portion of the sparse crowd of maybe 5,000.
The singer-actress-fashionista-entrepreneur-doula is calling her 2023 arena trek her Unfollow Me Tour because, she explained, "I don't want to be responsible for you. You can't go where I'm going. Follow your heart. Follow your ambitions. Follow your dreams. You ain't gotta be like nobody. I don't know what's right for you, and you don't know what's right for me."
For her performance, Badu had a giant video wall behind her, not for closeup shots of her performing live but rather for images of Egyptian objects and arty designs. Another visual was her outfits, which she peeled off in layers. After the long sequined coat, there was an oversized tie-dyed sweater, and eventually a black T-shirt and leotard. And a fuchsia stocking cap with a knot on top.
Not only does Badu have her own line of clothing, cannabis and lifestyle products, she is a model, a Met Gala regular and a Vogue cover subject, in March.
Dressed in all white including stocking caps, her band — seven musicians, three singers —grooved. Sometimes Badu, who played electronic percussion and briefly acoustic guitar, stuck to the arrangement, other times she improvised, conducting the musicians and riffing with her voice.
She showed an elastic voice, accomplished at hip-hop, soul and Billie Holiday-ish jazz. And, as she promised at the end of the night, she uncorked a spine-tingling scream that would have been equally at home in a sanctified setting or a heavy-metal concert.
Opening the evening was rapper Yasiin Bey, dressed in a Minnesota Wild jersey with his surname and numeral 0 on the back. Formerly known as Mos Def, he commanded the stage with old favorites like "Ms. Fat Booty" before dancing off to Milton Nascimento's "Tudo Que Você Podia Ser."
This incorporation of spiritual elements has led some individuals to label her as a witch or practitioner of witchcraft. It is important to note that witchcraft itself is a complex and multifaceted concept, with different interpretations and practices across cultures and belief systems. In some societies, witchcraft is associated with dark or malevolent forces, while in others, it is viewed as a form of healing and connection with nature.
Therefore, labeling someone as a witch based on personal interpretations can be misleading and unfair. Erykah Badu has also been open about her exploration of different spiritual practices and ideologies. Like many artists, she explores various belief systems and incorporates them into her art, often blurring the lines between different traditions. This eclecticism is a common characteristic among artists and should not be immediately equated with witchcraft or any particular spiritual path. Furthermore, it must be acknowledged that the term "witch" has traditionally been used to marginalize and persecute women who did not conform to societal norms and expectations. Labeling someone as a witch based on assumptions or biases can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to the continued stigmatization of individuals who identify with alternative belief systems. In conclusion, the claim that Erykah Badu is a witch is subjective and lacks substantial evidence. While she embraces elements of spirituality and incorporates them into her art, this does not necessarily make her a witch. It is essential to approach such claims with an open mind, respect for diversity, and a recognition of the complexities surrounding spiritual beliefs and artistic expression..
Reviews for "The Witchy Charms of Erykah Badu: Decoding the Spiritual Messages in her Music"
1) John - 2 stars - I found "Is Erykah Badu a Witch" to be a disappointing and quite confusing read. The author's arguments lacked substance and were based on mere speculation rather than concrete evidence. The book seemed more like a personal rant against Badu rather than an objective analysis. It failed to provide any real insight into the artist's life or musical influence. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a serious examination of Erykah Badu's career.
2) Emily - 1 star - "Is Erykah Badu a Witch" was a complete waste of time for me. The author seemed obsessed with demonizing Erykah Badu based on her personal beliefs and spirituality. There was no solid evidence presented to support the outrageous claims made in the book. It felt more like a desperate attempt to generate controversy and gain attention, rather than a genuine exploration of Badu's musical career. I regret spending my money on this poorly researched and biased piece of work.
3) Samantha - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Is Erykah Badu a Witch," but it failed to meet my expectations. While the topic had the potential for an interesting exploration of Badu's mystic image and artistic expression, the book fell short. The author's arguments lacked depth, relying heavily on speculation and assumptions. The writing style was also quite convoluted, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
4) Michael - 1 star - "Is Erykah Badu a Witch" was a poorly written and baseless attempt to tarnish the reputation of a talented artist. The author's arguments lacked logic and coherence. It seemed as if they were simply grasping at straws to find anything negative to say about Badu. The book failed to provide any substantial evidence or research to support its claims. I regret wasting my time and money on this biased and nonsensical piece of work.