BaduWorld, Inc., announces Erykah Badu, Grammy™ award-winning singer-songwriter and performance artist, “Unfollow Me” Tour, along with hip-hop’s most introspective and insightful artist, yasiin bey. The predominantly arena concerts, which are produced by Outback Presents and promise an out-of-this-world, surrealist atmosphere, will touch down in 25 cities throughout the U.S., making at stop at Chartway Arena on Wednesday, July 12th.
Erykah Badu is a powerful creative force who transcends music, film, and fashion. She is renowned for her songwriting, singing, and production skills as well as for her capacity to heal, promote female wellness, challenge oppressive structures, and uphold the values of her Afrocentric and Black Feminist roots. Her imaginative blend of soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and gospel has earned her multiple awards and praise since the release of her debut album, Baduizm (1997), continuing through her fifth release, New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh (2010), plus every mixtape, soundtrack, single, video, and musical collaboration in between. Forever the innovator, she established a livestream company, revolutionized home concerts, and launched an online exchange called BaduWorldMarket.com—all in response to COVID. Recently, Badu’s cannabis accessory brand, Apple Trees, collaborated with the international cannabis lifestyle brand, Cookies, to introduce That Badu, a premium line of cannabis. Badu’s fashion influence has always been a natural extension of her artistry. From her appearances at Fashion Week and the MET Gala to her numerous magazine covers and her capsule collection with luxury brand Marni, Badu’s music, art, healing, and eclectic fashion statements have made her a cultural icon like no other. To fans and followers who may look to her as a leader and a source of inspiration, eagerly awaiting her next release, both in music and in the market, she says, “Don’t follow me; chart your own path.”
yasiin bey is a Brooklyn-born multimedia artist who has been working professionally since 1987. He has appeared in numerous stage and film productions during his career and is well regarded amongst his peers and audiences alike. He is a founding member of the musical duo Black Star with Talib Kweli, who released their seminal self-titled debut in 1998 which was followed by his own solo debut under the moniker Mos Def™️, Black On Both Sides in 1999, both regarded as pivotal contributions to contemporary culture. The editors of About.com listed him as the 14th greatest rapper on their “50 Greatest Rappers of All Time” list.
He is a nominee and recipient of numerous awards, including an Obie Award for his work in the Suzan Lori Parks play ”F***ing A”. He received Emmy™ and Golden Globe™ nominations for his portrayal of Dr. Vivien Thomas in “Something The Lord Made,” and several Grammy nominations for his albums, The New Danger and The Ecstatic. He was also awarded a Peabody for his work as a producer and host of “Def Poetry Jam ”among others.
In 2019, Mr. bey made his debut as visual artist with his Brooklyn Museum exhibition “Negus,” which featured works from Julie Mehretu, Ala Ebtekar, a collaboration with Jose Parla, as well as a large scale textile mural by Mr. bey entitled “Pleasant.” The exhibition also featured his latest solo musical offering “Negus,” a performance piece,produced by Lord Tusk and Steven Julien. He is currently preparing a new slate of works as well as collaborating with the esteemed painter Anuar Khalifi. Mr. bey is represented by The Third Line Gallery in Dubai.
More recently yasiin bey has worked with long-time collaborators Dave Chappelle and Talib Kweli to create “The Midnight Miracle,” a podcast released on Luminary bringing the three together in a new genre of audio encompassing music, conversation, debate and notable guests. The program is regarded by many as a watershed moment in podcasting, with the New York Times remarking “Unpredictable … borderline hypnotic … the world’s most interesting dinner party.”
