• February 26, 1971
• She has three children. Here's the breakdown:
  
  1997 - son Seven with Andre 3000 of Outkast
  2004 - daughter Puma with rapper The D.O.C.
  2009 - daughter Mars with rapper/producer Jay Electronica
  
  She describes her relationships with the fathers as "mini-marriages," telling Rolling Stone, "The only difference is I didn't go to Vegas to get married."
• She is a certified doula who has assisted with the births of over 40 children. She keeps in touch with these children, who know her as their "dadoula." Badu is a proponent of natural childbirth, and had each of her own children at home.
• Erykah Badu's mother, Kolleen Maria Gipson, was the inspiration for Outkast's iconic hit "Ms. Jackson." The lyrics are a message from Andre 3000 that he is not as bad a father as has been portrayed.
• She started off as a rapper, performing on the Dallas radio station KNON when she was a teenager. Later, she was part of a rap trio where she performed under the name MC Apples.
• Her birth name is Erica Wright (her mother is the stage actress Kolleen Wright).
• In the early '90s, she formed a duo with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, called Erykah Free. They got gigs opening for Method Man, Mobb Deep and A Tribe Called Quest; Mobb Deep's manager helped her get a record deal.
• Her debut album, Baduizm, earned her international acclaim. In 1998 (the year after it was released), Badu won two Grammy Awards, two BRIT Awards and an American Music Award.
• Badu taught herself how to play the guitar before college but ended up playing it wrong. "I just laid it on my lap like a harpsichord," she told Rolling Stone. "My hands were so little that I couldn't really get around, those hands got to be able to stretch on that neck, and I didn't have fingers for that, so I had to lay it on my lap and play it. I ended up playing both a guitar and a drum at the same time. I only knew about three chords, and I wrote about 12 songs."

Comments

More Songfacts:

This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan

"This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan was the first hit to mention a designated driver in the lyric. Before he gets "faded," Montell gives the DD the keys to his truck.

AberdeenCage the Elephant

"Aberdeen" by Cage The Elephant is named after the birthplace of Kurt Cobain. It's in Grays Harbor County, Washington.

Empire State of MindJay-Z

Jay-Z was going to ask Mary J. Blige to duet on "Empire State of Mind," but he decided on Alicia Keys when he heard the piano stabs on the track.

Just In LoveJoe Jonas

Lil Wayne does an unlikely rap in a remix of the Joe Jonas song "Just In Love." The pair met at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" includes both gibberish ("Roma Roma-ma") and French ("Je veux ton amour et je veux ta revanche") in the lyrics. The French part translates to: "I want your love and I want your revenge."

Oh Happy DayThe Edwin Hawkins Singers

"Oh Happy Day" was recorded in a church and sold to raise money for the choir. It's the only genuine gospel song to become a pop hit.

Editor's Picks

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.