On and on: The ultimate Erykah Badu playlist

Erykah Badu was introduced to the world with her lead single “On & On” from her debut album, Baduizm. The single was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and earned Badu a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Although the music video for “Bag Lady” shows Badu and a number of other ladies carrying around tote bags, the song highlights more of a self-care ritual. Badu is telling women to let go of any emotional or mental baggage, so they can thrive for the better. In the words of Badu, “Pack light!”

Erykah Badu starts “Danger” playing the production from a previous hit, “The Other Side of the Game.” However, on this song, it’s more about how her man got caught up while hustling and now she can’t wait until he returns home. She knows her man lives a dangerous life, but she makes it known that she'll be ready to run away with him if needed.   

Badu’s second single “Next Lifetime” starts off with a guy telling Badu that he has feelings for her, but she’s trying to reiterate that she’s already in a relationship. She then goes into the hook singing, “Now what am I supposed to do when I want you in my world / How can I want you for myself when I’m already someone’s girl.” Badu may have mutual feelings, but she probably wouldn't be able to pursue them until the "Next Lifetime." 

In 2003, Erykah Badu released her third album Worldwide Underground. The album’s lead single “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" is a collaboration with her fellow Soulquarian member Common. The song is all about being introduced to hip-hop, the genre’s impact, and their unwavering love for it.

Badu’s sophomore album Mama’s Gun spawned three singles, the second one being “Didn’t Cha Know.” Produced by Badu’s fellow Soulquarian member J Dilla, the song is all about how life can take a person in different directions, but one’s heart will always be the right guide.

Erykah Badu has always embodied an old soul persona about her. It’s pretty evident in the music video for “Honey.” In the visual, someone is shopping through a music store and is picking up different vinyl records with album covers coming to life. 

In 2010, Badu released her fifth studio album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), and the lead single “Window Seat” came with some controversy. Fans and critics spoke about the song's music video. In "Window Seat." Badu is walking around her hometown Dallas as she strips down until she’s completely nudė and eventually assassinated.

In 2015, Badu released her mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone, a title with a play on words from her hit song "Tyrone." Although there weren’t any official singles released, one of the mixtape’s standout tracks is “Phone Down.” Badu sings how she can hold her man’s attention, to a point in which he won’t pick up his phone while he’s in her presence.

Sometimes as people, we like to reminisce on the good times. That’s the premise behind Erykah Badu’s “Back in the Day” in which she reflects on better days being filled with sparking up weed and having a good time.

“Tyrone” is easily one of Erykah Badu’s most popular songs, released during a time when radio stations played live versions. In the song, Badu is fed up with her man not pulling his weight, putting his friends above her, and being broke—causing her to want him to pack up his bags and leave.

On “Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY),” Badu incorporates elements from "Get Money," a hit song from Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Notorious B.I.G.’s. Badu uses money as a metaphor in the song to describe how she can get whatever she wants from a lover. 

Although “You Got Me” was co-written by a somewhat unknown artist at the time Jill Scott, The Roots decided to add Erykah Badu to sing the hook. The song went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Although it wasn't released a single, popular Badu album cut is “The Healer.” The Madlib-produced track has Badu stating that hip-hop is a healer—bigger than religion and the government. She references a number of gods in her lyrics since there are times when people worship hip-hop artists as such.

Janelle Monae recruited Erykah Badu on her hit song “Q.U.E.E.N.,” the lead single from her album The Electric Lady. Monae and Badu trade verses as they encourage women on empowerment, authenticity, and self-love.

Erykah Badu has such a soothing voice that even when she sings about a crazy story, it sounds amazing. She does just that on “Other Side of the Game” in which she sings about her partner hustling to make a living, but she’s worried that it’s going to get him caught up while they are growing their family.

Erykah Badu can spit rhymes just as much as a sings. On “Appletree,” she knows she has some knowledge that she wants to share with her friends. However, she realizes that if people don’t really want to be in her circle, then they don’t deserve the knowledge that she is spitting.

Although it wasn't a single, a standout deep album cut in Badu's discography is “Out My Mind, Just In Time.” The track’s piano and violin backing sounds like a classic song that Badu would perform in a jazz lounge.

Erykah Badu embodies the persona that she could’ve been an artist from an earlier era. Her love for the blues and jazz is evident on the track “Green Eyes,” which proves why she often receives comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday.

Erykah Badu’s sophomore album Mama’s Gun had classic album cuts including “Time’s A Wastin.” The song has the essential neo-soul sound that Badu helped birth in the '90s as she attempts to encourage young men to live life to the fullest.