Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu started as Erica Abi Wright and put out her first album, 'Baduizm,' in the mid-1990s. That record had songs like 'On & On' and 'Next Lifetime,' which helped define a kind of soul that felt both classic and quietly new. She called her approach 'Bagism,' a loose mix of R&B, funk, and jazz that didn't stick to one lane.

Her voice, often a whisper or a low purr, carried through albums like 'Mama's Gun' and 'New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).' Tracks such as 'Didn't Cha Know' and 'Bag Lady' showed how she could wrap everyday stories in grooves that didn't rush. She worked with players like drummer Chris 'Daddy' Dave and keyboardist Robert Glasper, but the sound always felt like her own.

Badu's way of living and speaking sometimes drew attention away from the music. She talked openly about relationships and ideas that didn't fit the usual mold, which made some people uneasy. That never really changed what she put on tape, though. The songs stayed grounded, even when the conversations around her got loud.