By Marcus A. Williams

Erykah Badu, the princess of velvet harmonies, brash lyrics and eccentric style will be teaming up with the pioneers of neo-soul, The Roots, for a night of musical passion.

After almost a four year hiatus and the birth of her daughter, Puma, in 2007 Badu finally announced to the world that she would be making a comeback with three consecutive albums over the span of two years.

Honey is the latest single from part one of the three piece album release, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).

The album was released on February 26th, which spawned her current project, “The Amerykah Tour,” with special guests, The Roots.

Since the release of Badu’s 1997 chart topping debut album, Baduizm, her smooth vocals, and often Afrocentric lyrical content has been a silent force to be reckon with in the world music.

Critics noted young Badu’s introspective lyrics and raved over her “jazzy, bass-heavy sound,” the critical acclaim proclaimed her as one of the leading lights of contemporary soul (neo-soul). Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to the legendary Billie Holiday.

Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, her biggest single from the album, “On & On,” won a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Born Erica Wright in Dallas, Texas, Badu attended a school of the arts and was working as a teacher and part-time singer in her hometown, where she got the opportunity to open for fellow neo soul vocalist, mister “Brown Suga” himself, D’Angelo at a 1994 show.
D’Angelo’s manager, Kedar Massenburg, was so impressed with the performance that he connected her with D’Angelo to record a cover of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet “Precious Love.”

He also signed Badu to his recently formed Kedar Entertainment label and served as producer for Baduizm, which was the first time Badu worked with the hip-hop avatars, The Roots.

The Roots, is a seven member group who has proven to be influential to contemporary artists like Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott and even hip-hop artists like Common.

The group is a Grammy Award-winning American band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who’s most noted for their heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation.
They made their debut in 1993 and have gone on to collaborate with artists from a range of genres, such as Roy Ayers and Cody Chesnutt.

Inspired by Stetsasonic, The Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and a plethora of recognition.

The New Amerykah Tour consist of two neo soul acts who have both helped shape and inspire soulful R&B music, have both attained a smorgasbord for recognition and accolades and have more talent in their pinky fingers than the typical “cookie-cutter” artists of 2008 — this is sure to be a night to remember.

Songstress Erykah Badu and special guests, The Roots will be bringing The New Amerykah Tour to Baltimore, Maryland on May 10th, doors open at 5:30p.m. at the Pier Six Concert Pavilion, 731 Eastern Avenue.

Then the duo of soul will head down the Parkway to Washington, DC for two nights of performances, May 14th and 15th, the show will kick off at 7:30p.m. at the DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and C Street, NW.