25 years later, Erykah Badu says ‘Mama’s Gun’ still guides her musical evolution

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On November 18, 2000, Erykah Badu released her second album, Mama’s Gun, at a time when she was going through personal changes. She had been eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike, and the album marked a new phase in her career.

The exceptionally gifted artist was three years past the release of “Baduizm,” her groundbreaking debut album. It had launched at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned her two Grammy Awards. At the same time, she was navigating the challenges of being a new mother while her career was rapidly taking off. Additionally, she had recently ended a well-known relationship with André “3000” Benjamin, the father of her son.

When I asked Erykah Badu about “Mama’s Gun” and if she felt any pressure making it, she said she honestly couldn’t remember what she was thinking at the time. She explained it simply: she was just starting out, and she was happy to be doing what she loved – she referred to it as “that sport”, which I thought was a really cool way to put it. It felt like she was just embracing the beginning of her career.

Erykah Badu approached “Mama’s Gun” as a “metaphorical diary” – a practice she applies to all her music – giving herself the freedom to express her feelings and experiences as they happened. This resulted in a 14-track album that was both musically innovative and lyrically honest and raw, further establishing her as a prominent artist in R&B and hip-hop. The album featured the singles “Bag Lady” (a thoughtful reminder to release emotional burdens) and “Didn’t Cha Know” (co-produced by J Dilla), demonstrating to both critics and fans that she would consistently resist creative limitations – a principle she’s maintained throughout her 30-year career.

Erykah Badu is marking the 25th anniversary of her iconic album with the Mama’s Gun ’25: The Return of Automatic Slim Tour, starting Friday at the Hollywood Bowl and concluding in Dallas on December 10th. The Los Angeles concert will include a special appearance by rapper Westside Gunn of Griselda Records, who Badu describes as both “a great influence” and a friend.

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The sun had already set on a recent evening, and Erykah Badu was relaxing on comfortable leather seats inside a stylish party bus. The bus featured tinted windows and a ceiling decorated with green, white, and yellow lights that looked like a starry night sky.

The anniversary event happens shortly after Erykah Badu finished touring for her first album in ten years. (Her 2015 release, “But You Caint Use My Phone,” which she initially called a mixtape but clarified was an album, is available now.) Her upcoming project, “Abi & Alan,” is a collaboration with renowned hip-hop producer the Alchemist. While it’s not released yet, Badu says it will be available “soon.” (Fans got a preview with the lead single, “Next to You,” released in June.)

“Performing ‘Abi & Alan’ live was the highlight of the last ten years for me,” Badu explained, referring to an audience experiencing the album for the first time without phones or cameras. “I almost didn’t want to return to performing songs from ‘Mama’s Gun’ afterward because those songs represent my artistic growth.”

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Erykah Badu, “Didn’t Cha Know” video

I was so thrilled to hear from Erykah Badu after a really demanding day – she truly does *everything* herself, from the music to the stage design! She was calling from her home in Dallas, where she’s recently created this incredible, almost magical space – I can’t wait to tell you more about that later. We had a great conversation about how much of an impact “Mama’s Gun” has had, what she learned from “Abi & Alan”, and what’s currently fueling her creativity. It was fascinating!

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

You mentioned in an earlier conversation that you felt driven to demonstrate something with the album “Mama’s Gun.” What specifically did you want to prove at that time, and who were you trying to prove it to?

I’ve forgotten what I needed to demonstrate or who I was trying to impress. I suppose I’m always driven to prove something to myself – that I can keep going, no matter the challenges. It really doesn’t matter what life throws my way. Even when I’m dealing with illness, sadness, or the demands of love and family, my creative drive just doesn’t stop. It’s simply a part of who I am, something I was born with. It’s innate.

From “Didn’t Cha Know” to “Bag Lady” and “Cleva,” Erykah Badu’s “Mama’s Gun” is just packed with incredible songs that people still love and play constantly. Honestly, if I had to pick just one favorite, it would be “Green Eyes.” That song just hits me so deeply every single time I listen to it.

Yeah, those are the three stages of dealing with any kind of disappointment. It could be a romantic relationship, a job loss, or even just failing at something small. There are three phases to this realization, if we allow ourselves to experience them. First, there’s denial – like, “Did I really mess that up?” Then, there’s [smacks lips] a phase of pretending it didn’t happen, saying, “I’m fine. I didn’t mess up. This isn’t real.” And the final stage is always acceptance. “Okay, I’ll let it go, and I’m ready to move forward and try again.” You know, like in the song “Green Eyes.”

Absolutely, the different sections of the song are very noticeable in how it’s put together. What thoughts or feelings do you have when you consider that “Mama’s Gun” is celebrating its 25th anniversary?

It feels like just yesterday. I feel like I’m always living in the present moment. I often hear people discuss therapeutic ways to deal with trauma and difficult experiences. I prefer to simply deal with things as they happen. If something comes up, I face it immediately, feel it fully, and work to correct my mistakes right away. I do this now so I don’t carry emotional baggage with me. The song “Bag Lady” really helped me with that mindset. I actually wrote that song as a message to my future self. At the time, I didn’t have much baggage at all – I was very young. But as I started accumulating experiences, I remembered the words I’d spoken to myself.

Have you ever gone on a tour of multiple cities to celebrate an album’s anniversary before now?

I feel like people really start celebrating milestones when they reach their 20s. This is definitely my first 25-year anniversary. I did acknowledge 20 years, but I didn’t pay much attention to 10 or 15-year anniversaries because it didn’t feel like enough time had passed. I didn’t feel like I’d earned a celebration yet. Even now, I believe my most important work is still ahead of me. I don’t measure success by years, but by progress – have I evolved beyond the themes in Mama’s Gun? Many of those songs were written when I was young, and I haven’t fully explored all the messages within them personally. So, it’s been 25 years, but I still have 14 songs and 14 core messages that I need to fully understand and express.

We’re excited to have Westside Gunn as a special guest at our L.A. show. Were you the one who invited him to perform? If so, could you share what led to that decision and what you particularly enjoy about his music?

I control every aspect of my work as a creative, from my personal style to how I approach filmmaking. I’m a director and I handle my own social media; I don’t have a manager. To be completely honest, I make all the decisions myself. Westside Gunn is a huge inspiration to me. I really admire his flow, his work ethic, his artistic freedom, his lyrics, and his self-assurance-his work is just really strong. What really makes him stand out isn’t just within hip-hop, but even compared to others in his own team, is his choice of production and music. He’s a dynamic artist and a good friend. He even contributed to the “Abi & Alan” album and joined us onstage during the “Abi & Alan” concert series. We connect on a deep level, which is why a collaboration between Westside Gunn and “Mama’s Gun” feels natural – it became “Mama’s Westside Gunn” for the L.A. scene.

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Following the 10-year anniversary of his first solo album, ‘Doris,’ Earl Sweatshirt has at last shared his highly anticipated new LP, a collaboration with longtime friend The Alchemist.

Regarding “Abi & Alan,” you and the Alchemist just finished touring for that album. What was the experience of performing songs from an album that-except for the single-most fans hadn’t had a chance to listen to yet?

This past decade, this was definitely a highlight for me. After performing those songs, I almost didn’t want to revisit “Mama’s Gun” because it represents my artistic growth. It truly reflects who I am now, and the experience was flawless. Everything was kept incredibly simple – small venues, no cameras, and no phones. Even the press had to use disposable cameras! I wanted to keep it that way, so I could perform the album with the same feeling I had when I created it. I did these performances before the album officially comes out soon. I thrive as a live performer and I believe I connect with the audience effectively. Live shows allow you to capture a unique moment, and I was able to do that ten times, as we only had ten shows. As a recording artist, you have the chance to refine that moment, spending days on a single song to leave a lasting impression. “Mama’s Gun” is just one part of the larger artistic work I’m building, and “Abi & Alan” feels like a really significant piece of it – it was incredible. I’m completely captivated by it.

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Did you unlock or learn anything new about yourself through the process of making “Abi & Alan?”

Let me share something I realized. I was browsing Instagram and came across an article about Tupperware. Apparently, they made such durable products – things people didn’t need to replace – that the company recently went bankrupt. It reminded me of when you create an album like “Mama’s Gun,” something that really resonates with everyone. People often only want to hear those familiar songs, especially at live shows. They come expecting a specific setlist. But I discovered that isn’t always the case. I found that when I performed the entire album “Abi & Alan” from start to finish, without playing any older material, the audience was just as enthusiastic, engaged, and present.

It sounds like you’re juggling a lot of projects and are a very creative person! What new things are you working on or enjoying right now, whether for work or in your personal life?

I really enjoy creating things, especially with wood. Right now, I’m experimenting with a Japanese technique called shou sugi ban – it involves burning the wood to protect it from things like fire and insects. The result is stunning! You char the wood and then use it for projects like fences, or whatever you’re building. I love coming home each day and working on something. Currently, I’m constructing an aviary for the birds I have. I even built a gate recently – hopefully it works as intended [laughs]! It’s a circular, Asian-inspired gate that connects different parts of my yard. I’m also decluttering my house, letting go of things I no longer need. I’m actively working on strengthening my boundaries and not letting people exploit my generosity, while still remaining understanding and forgiving. I recognize that everyone has their own life experiences. It’s similar to the themes I explore in my music. Essentially, I’m focused on personal growth – nurturing my body, spirit, mind, and heart, and reinforcing my daily practices. My work takes many forms, from creating art and preparing for shows, to parenting, cooking, and helping others. Another important aspect is prioritizing my ‘five doctors’: sunshine, exercise, sleep, nutrition, and spiritual well-being. It’s a challenge to balance everything, but I enjoy building those healthy habits into my life. And I make sure to balance hard work with plenty of play. So, yeah, building is a major hobby of mine.

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2025-10-02 22:32