Erykah Badu Joins Ebro Darden on The Inaugural Episode of 'The Message' on Apple Music

Image Credit: Apple Music

The summer of 2020 was marked by an unprecedented awareness for—and anger about—the continued injustices Black people and people of color in America and worldwide face. The ensuing protests, activations, and social media fury inspired musicians around the world to speak out about their own experiences, with some going on to record music that speaks directly to the moment. Hosted by Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, The Message is a series that aims to further the dialogue about the unrest and inequalities in the United States and abroad via intimate conversations with some of the most prominent voices in Black music today, who also create exclusive playlists of the songs inspiring them to keep pushing forward.

On the first installment of The Message with Ebro Darden, Erykah Badu sits with Ebro to discuss her playlist ‘Now Breathe Like It’ and the steps she’s taking to stay mindful and centered in these uncertain times. Listen live on Tuesday (11/3) at 1:00p PST or anytime on-demand at apple.co/the-message.

Erykah Badu Tells Apple Music About Her Musical Selections Featured In The Episode…

“These are songs that I truly and really wake up to every day, that I play in the car when I need it. It’s the vibe for me, it’s the freak for me, it’s what uplifts me or brings me to tears or makes me very, very, very sad. The kind of sad that you want to feel when there’s some good music in your spirit. The tears that bring joy. These are real for me. And sharing them with you is a very personal and real thing for me.”

Erykah Badu Tells Apple Music About Her Feelings Heading Into The Election and The Unifying Power of Music…

“No matter what we believe, what the powers that be believe will effect us. No matter how many different directions we want to take ourselves and our communities, what the powers that be that believe will effect all of us so it’s very good to keep up with what’s going on and the choices the powers that be are making for us. Of course, we can effectively come together and change those things as we’ve seen over the years and it takes time… because anything that is strong and will outlast all of us takes a long time and a real plan. Organizing and putting forth your effort and your life… I did this documentary a couple weeks ago… leading up to this day asking people in my city what they believed and were they Republican or Democrat or did they believe the system really worked or does the voting system really work in your opinion. And they gave these differing opinions and everybody’s was very intelligent and it was their own belief. I challenged them next to put on some headphones and listen to a song. It was Beastie Boys “Hold It Now, Hit It”. No matter what they believed, whether they agreed or not on their beliefs, everyone nodded in agreement to the kick of the snare. Hip Hop is bigger than the government. Anything that we collectively believe together can change many things… the frequency of everything.”

Erykah Badu Tells Apple Music About Her Experience Navigating 2020…

“This has been a very long and short and long and short year. 2020 kind of describes how my life is… dramatic pauses and crazy endings and rapid beginnings.”

Erykah Badu Tells Apple Music About The 20th Anniversary of Mama’s Gun…

“Wow, it seems like yesterday. Ebro, I’ve been on the road so long, I don’t remember growing up. It’s crazy. I try to live life so present that things happen, and the next day, you’re in another year. Kind of like this year, for example, this has been a very long and short and long and short year. 2020, it describes how my life is. The dramatic pauses and crazy endings and rapid beginnings.”