Erykah Badu - 1997 Song "Next Lifetime" (video, information, & lyrics)

 

 Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime (Official Music Video)

 Erykah Badu, February 18, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07uSAIcXFmg

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Statistics as of May 20, 2026 at 7:44 AM EDT
Total # of views-24,243,797
Total # of Comments -3,214

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases singer, composer, actress Erykah Badu's 1997 hit song "Next Lifetime".

Information about Erykah Badu is also included in this post. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. 

This video is presented as a continuation of a previous pancocojams post that focuses on African American females' headwraps.*

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical and cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are associated with this embedded video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.
-snip-
* Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/six-videos-of-black-american-female.html for the related pancocojams post entitled "Six Videos Of Black American Female Singers Wearing A Headwrap"

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INFORMATION ABOUT ERYKAH BADU
from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erykah_Badu
"Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971),[2] known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip-hop,[2] Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut studio album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.

Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in Fort Worth, which led to record label executive Kedar Massenburg signing her to Kedar Entertainment.[2] Badu's first album, Baduizm, was released in February 11, 1997.[3] It spawned four singles: "On & On", "Appletree", "Next Lifetime" and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] Badu's first live album, Live, was released in November 1997, and contained her signature song "Tyrone" and was subsequently certified double platinum by the RIAA.[4]

Badu's second studio album, Mama's Gun, was released in 2000.[5] It spawned three singles: "Bag Lady", which became her first top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number 6, "Didn't Cha Know?" and "Cleva". The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.[4] Badu's third album, Worldwide Underground, was released in 2003.[6] It generated three singles: "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", "Danger" and "Back in the Day (Puff)", with the first becoming her second song to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 9. The album was certified gold by the RIAA.[4] Badu's fourth album, New Amerykah Part One, was released in 2008.[7] It spawned two singles: "Honey" and "Soldier". New Amerykah Part Two was released in 2010 and fared well both critically and commercially. It contained the album's lead single "Window Seat", whose music video sparked controversy.

Badu's voice has been compared to jazz singer Billie Holiday.[8][9][10] Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for her style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps. She was a core member of the Soulquarians. As an actress, she has played a number of supporting roles in movies including Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D. She also has appeared in the documentaries Before the Music Dies and The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975."....

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LYRICS - NEXT LIFETIME
(composed by Erykah Badu)
 
[Spoken Intro]
Erykah, we've been known each other for a while and
You know, I'm into you
Just wanna know what I gotta do, you know, to get closer to you
Wait a minute now, you know I'm in a situation, why you even—
Don't do this, why you trippin' like that?
Well, I understand that, but you, your whole vibe is, you know
I see myself being with you forever
Ah, that is, you know, that's really beautiful and
I kinda dig you too, you know that, we
But we're friends and I'm in a situation
I, I'm in a relationship and you know what that means
Well, whatever I gotta do, I'll do it for you
Hm, you sure put me in an awkward situation

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (Oh)

When I'm already someone's girl (Mm)

What am I supposed to do

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world; Baby)

But how can I want you for myself

When I'm already someone's girl

 

[Verse 1]

First time that I saw you, boy

It was a warm and sunny day

All I know is I wanted you

I really hoped you'd look my way

When you smiled at me so warm and sweet (You smiled)

I could not speak

You make me feel like a little bitty girl

What do you do to me?

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (What you want me to do?)

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world; Oh)

But how can I want you for myself (Oh)

When I'm already someone's girl

 

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

No hard feelings

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

I'm gon' be there (Mm)

 

[Verse 2]

Your energy

Feels so damn good to me

It picks me up, don't wanna come down

You got me spinning all around, yeah (No)

You need to know

I've got somebody

But you're beautiful, sure

But still, it ain't that type of party now

 

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (What you want me to do?)

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (I can't help my feelings)

When I'm already someone's girl (Oh no)

Now what am I supposed to do

When I want you in my world (I know, I know I'm selfish, but I; Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (Oh, oh)

When I'm already someone's girl (Wait a minute)

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

Maybe we'll be butterflies

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

That sounds so divine

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

I guess I will now

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

Wait, wait a little while

 

[Verse 3]

Listen (Mm)

See, it ain't nothing wrong with dreaming

But, boy, don't get me wrong

'Cause every time I see you (Every time, every single time)

It lets me know just how strong (Every single time)

That my love is for my baby

But emotions just don't lie

Well, I know I'm a lotta woman

But not enough to divide the pie, ooh

 

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (Well, well, well)

When I want you in my world (No; Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (Oh)

When I'm already someone's girl (Oh)

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

You know I wanna stay around

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

I'm so confused now (Mm)

 

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (What you want me to do, babe?)

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself

When I'm already someone's girl (No, no, no, no, no)

 

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

I'm already, I'm gon' be there

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

I'm gon' look for you (Mm)

 

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (Oh, babe)

When I want you in my world (I got somebody back there; Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (Ah, ah)

When I'm already someone's girl (Oh)

 

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

Oh, baby, oh, babe

I guess I'll see you next lifetime (Oh, baby, baby)

I'm here (Mm)

 

[Chorus]

Now what am I supposed to do (What you want me to do?)

When I want you in my world (Want you in my world)

But how can I want you for myself (I can't hide my feelings)

When I'm already someone's girl (Don't worry, baby)

 

[Post-Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

'Cause what we got is so defying

I guess I'll see you next lifetime

Next time, I'll make you mine (Mm)

Ooh"
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About this song:
" “Next Lifetime” is the second single from Baduizm and talks about a woman that is in a relationship but has feelings for another man. The music video features cameos from her boyfriend at the time, Andre 3000, as well as rapper Method Man and rapper/producer Pete Rock. The single topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and reached the Top 40 in New Zealand and the UK."

online source- https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-next-lifetime-lyrics

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (2001 North Sea Jazz Concert Video with Transcriptions Of Her Introductory Remarks)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2001 YouTube video of Eyrkah Badu singing her song "Tyrone" ("Call Tyrone") at the North Sea Jazz Concert (The Hague, Netherlands).

This post also includes my [unofficial] transcription of Erykah Badu's "freedom introduction" that she gave at that concert. My [unofficial] transcription of Erykah Badu's introduction to that version of "Tyrone" that she sang at that concert is also included in this post.

The lyrics to that song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Erykah Badu for sharing this video on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/erykah-badu-tyrone-live-1997-concert.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (Live 1997 concert -YouTube video & lyrics)".

The version of the song "Tyrone" that Erykah Badu sung at the 2001 North Sea Jazz Concert is slightly different from her original 1997 version whose lyrics are given in that pancocojams post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Erykah Badu: "Tyrone" (North Sea Jazz 2001)



TheHagueYears, Feb 20, 2015

From Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun World Tour. Live at North Sea Jazz Festival 2001, The Hague, Netherlands - Filmed by Dutch Television (NPS). The background singer in the middle is the wonderful N'Dambi. Tyrone starts at 2:51.
Before that you can witness a spiritual moment earlier in the show.
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Actually, Erykah Badu doesn't begin singing the song "Tyrone" until 5:03 in this video

Statistics as of January 14 2020 at 5:13 PM EST
total # of views- 2,618,917 views
total # of likes - 32K
total # of dislikes - 1.6K
toal # of comments - 886

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TRANSCRIPTIONS OF ERYKAH BADU'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS*

[Freedom introduction- starts at the beginning of this embedded video]

"Peace and love, y’all.
How y’all feel?
Sistas, how y’all feel?
Brothas, y’all alright?
Alright.
Imma- I first wanna ask the elders in the house if I can speak freely.
Yes, sir.
Cause I got something I wanna share.
I first wanna thank the Creator for this gift.
Give thanks, yeah.
And I wanna thank y’all for being reflections of this gift.
Yeah.
And um.
Y’all, I been having this dream.
It’s a recurring dream that I been having.
It is that all the people in the world
will one day feel free enough
to be theyself
without giving a damn what nobody else
has to say.
And it seems so far away
But it seems so close.
‘Cause I-I been seein a lot of freedom
and creativity that just makes me feel,
you know, like we gettin to a place where
we can totally be free
to express ourselves.
‘Cause, you know, I just be
anywhere sometimes
and I sometimes I just wanna
throw my hands up in the air
and be like [screams] AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You know,
‘cause sometimes, it’s a lot of love
and it’s a lot of pain inside
and you just wanna express it. If you feel free
with me this evening, y’all in Amsterdam,
throw your hands up like this
And holla out your own damn name.
Right now.
Erykahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Yeah! Yeah!

Now I suspect that you have just witnessed
the God in you.
That’s how the Creator in you feels.
That’s how, that’ how the Most High wants us
to feel, and wants us to be-
free enough to be who we are.
So when I bring an ankh up here
for 360 degrees of life
or a Bible for the word
or a Holy Koran for the truth
or a candle for light
or some water for purification
or a Buddhist symbol for meditation
or JAH Rastafari
or whatever it is-
I’m only tryin to encourage you.
Freedom.
Freedom, y’all.
It’s the will power that’s broke today, y’all.
We gotta build it back up.
It’s love that’s missin.
And it starts right here.

Junebug, how you feel about that? "

[This portion ends at 2:51]
-snip-
"Junebug" is an old timey colloquial nickname for African American males.

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Intro to song Tyrone
2:52.
SISTAS, HOW Y’ALL FEEL?
Brothas, y’all alright?
Yeah!
I’m so happy to be here with y’all
I promise I don’t take for granted.
I needed this.
Thank you y’all. Give it up for yourselves.
Yeahhhh! Oww!
Give it up for my band, y’all.
Yeah.
So lemme ask y’all something.
If your little boy ran out into the street
and cars was comin-
Y’ll listenin?
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Call him.
Call him.
Alright. Say if your man, ladies,
if your man has been gone from home
way too long.
You got his cell phone number.
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Call him.
Call him.
Say, ah- say if the rent man, he comes to get the money-
Y’all with me?
Say if the rent man comes to get the money
and you ain’t got it all.
Say you a little short,
you know.
[chuckles] Wait a minute.
If you a little short with the money,
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Stall him.
Stall him.
Wait a minute.

[Erykah Badu begins singing a version of her song “Tyrone” [at 5:03 of that embedded video]
-snip-
*These are my unofficial transcriptions of these remarks. Additions and corrections are welcome.

I gave the beginning introduction the title "Freedom introduction" to distinguish it from the introduction to the song "Tyrone". That isn't the official name for those remarks.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (Live 1997 concert -YouTube video & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Erykah Badu and showcases a 1997 YouTube video of Eyrkah Badu singing her song "Tyrone" ("Call Tyrone").

Information about this song is also included in this post.

The lyrics to that song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Erykah Badu for sharing this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/erykah-badu-tyrone-2001-north-sea-jazz.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (2001 North Sea Jazz Concert Video with Transcriptions Of Her Introductory Remarks)".

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INFORMATION ABOUT ERYKAH BADU
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erykah_Badu
"Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971),[1] known professionally as Erykah Badu (/ˈɛrɪkə bɑːˈduː/), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in Fort Worth; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Entertainment.[1] Her first album, Baduizm, was released in February 1997.[2] It spawned three singles: "On & On", "Next Lifetime" and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] Her first live album, Live, was released in November 1997 and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.[3]

[...]

Influenced by R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop,[1] Badu became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s along with artists like D'Angelo.[7] Badu has been called the queen of neo soul. Her voice has been compared to jazz singer Billie Holiday.[8][9][10] Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for her eccentric style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "CALL TYRONE"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrone_(song)
"Tyrone" is a song by singer Erykah Badu. It was released as the lead single in support of her album Live and does not feature on her debut album Baduizm. The song was recorded professionally during a Badu concert and is the version sent to radio. The song has been referenced in other media, most notably in the film Next Friday (1999), when Tyrone (Deebo's accomplice/younger sibling) is making a fake call at a restaurant. The song title is also referenced by Beyoncé in the song "Kitty Kat" off her second album B'Day and in the rap of 3LW's hit single "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)," as well as R. Kelly in the song "When a Woman's Fed Up" from its 1998 double album R.

Release and reception
Tyrone was played in heavy rotation on radio, although the song failed to chart on either Billboard's R&B or pop singles chart. The song reached #1 on R&B's airplay chart.[1]"...

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From https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-tyrone-lyrics
"About 'Tyrone'
Erykah told the Power 105 Breakfast Club that her most famous song was “a total freestyle” that she made up on the spot and just happened to record.

Erykah has had enough with her no-good, do-nothing man and is kicking him out of the house. Tyrone isn’t actually the boyfriend here: Tyrone is the boyfriend’s homeboy, and Erykah suggests that he “call up Tyrone” to help him move his sh&t* out of her house.

The boyfriend put his friends above her, disrespected her, and basically acted like a scrub. Since he loves Tyrone so much, maybe Tyrone can help him carry his things out: but he can’t call Tyrone on Erykah’s phone, because he never helped her with the bill.

Some have suggested that this song is about Andre 3000 of Outkast, an allegation that he vehemently denies in his song “A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre.”
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*This word is fully spelled out in this article and in the lyrics given below.

Also, because pancocojams is a family friendly blog, the n word in the lyrics is also given with modified spelling.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Erykah Badu - Tyrone (Live)



Erykah Badu,Jun 16, 2009

Music video by Erykah Badu performing Tyrone. (C) 1997 Kedar Entertainment / Universal Records Inc.
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Statistics as of January 14, 2020 at 4:33 PM EST
total number of views - 7,582,938 views
total # of likes - 86K
total # of dislikes -1.8k
total # of comments - 2,674

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LYRICS- TYRONE
(Erykah Badu)

[Live Intro]
Now keep in mind that I'm an artist
And I'm sensitive about my sh&t*
But y'all been nice about it, alright
Sisters, how y'all feel?
Brothers, y'all alright?
Lemme see how y'all groove to this

Alright
[Verse 1]
I'm gettin' tired of your sh&t*
You don't never buy me nothin'
See every time you come around
You gotta bring Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone
See why can't we be by ourselves, sometimes
See I've been having this on my mind for a long time
I just want it to be you and me
Like it used to be, baby
But ya don't know how to act
So matter of fact

[Hook]
I think ya better call Tyrone (call him)
And tell him come on, help you get your sh&t*
(Come on, come on, come on)
You need to call Tyrone (call him)
And tell him I said come on

[Verse 2]
Now every time I ask you for a little cash
You say naw, but turn right around and ask me for some ass
Oh, whoa well hold up, listen partner I ain't no cheap thrill
Cause Miss Badu is always comin' for real and you know the deal, ni&&a*!
Every time we go somewhere I gotta reach down in my purse
To pay your way and your homeboys' way and sometimes your cousin's way
They don't never have to pay, don't have no cars
Hang around in bars try to hang around with stars
Like Badu Imma tell you the truth
Show and prove or get the boot

[Hook]
I think ya better (call him)
And tell him come on, help you get your sh&t*
(Come on, come on, come on)
You need to call Tyrone (call him)
Hold on
But you can't use my phone


Source: https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-tyrone-lyrics
-snip-
*These words are fully spelled out in these lyrics.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - Pick Your Afro Daddy ( Afro Freestyle Skit), videos, lyrics, & comments about afro picks

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on afro picks.

Part I showcases Erykah Badu's song "Pick Yo Afro Daddy". This song is also known as "Pick Yo Afro Daddy" and "Afro (Freestyle Skit)" is track 7 in Badu's the 1997 album Baduizm.

Part I also provides information about the Baduizm album.

The Addendum to this post includes a definition of "afro picks" and my comments about what afro picks and how afro picks were used and are now used. The Addendum also includes two related videos about Black hairstyles.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/11/excerpts-from-various-online-articles.html for Part II of this series. Part II provides excerpts from various online articles & discussion threads about afros and afro picks (pics).

The content of this post is provided for cultural and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Afro Freestyle



AryKayne, Published on Nov 24, 2012

Track 7 from Baduizm album (Afro Freestyle Skit)

Song: Afro (Freestyle Skit)

Artist: Erykah Badu
-snip-
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baduizm, "Baduizm is the debut album by American singer and songwriter Erykah Badu, released on February 11, 1997 by Kedar Records.

[...]

Baduizm was met with positive reviews from music critics who praised the album's musical style and Badu's artistic vision; other critics noted similarities between Badu and Billie Holiday. Baduizm was a commercial success debuting at number two on the US Billboard charts and number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album was certified three times platinum by Recording Industry Association of America,[5] Gold by British Phonographic Industry[6] and Gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.[7]

[...]

Badu's particular style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday.[24] Entertainment Weekly said Badu echoed Holiday in "her phrasing and cadence,"[14] while Greg Kot from the Chicago Tribune commented: "Rather than merely mimicking Holiday, Badu offers a canny update of the socially conscious soul of the early '70s with her midtempo grooves and sultry, conversational vocals."[13] In the Los Angeles Times, Robert Hilburn wrote: "Freely mixing musical eras and inspirations (Billie Holiday to Stevie Wonder, jazz to hip-hop), Badu combines supper-club sophistication with an artistic vision as unique and independent" as Prince in the 1980s.[25] Writing for Rolling Stone, Miles Marshall Lewis stated: "Baduizm showcases the heart and soul of a bohemian B-girl who happens to have an effortless jazz swing."[19]

At the end of 1997, Baduizm was voted the seventh best record of the year in the Pazz & Jop, an annual poll of American critics published by The Village Voice.[26]...

After Baduizm was released, it peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[29][30] The album's success helped establish Badu as one of the leading artists in the burgeoning neo soul genre.[2] Baduizm was certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and the Canadian Recording Industry Association. [5] [6] [7]

As of February 2017 the album has sold 2.8 million copies in United States."...

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Example #2:Erykah Badu - Pick Yo Afro Daddy & Jesus On The Main Line LIVE in Chicago March 28th 2013



Kreis Xian, Published on Mar 30, 2013
Erykah Badu performs " Pick Yo Afro Daddy & Jesus On The Main Line " LIVE at House of Blues Chicago in celebration of her 16th anniversary in the music business.
-snip-
Bady's "Jesus [Is] On The Main Line" is a largely non-religious rendition of that song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/rev-timothy-flemming-jesus-is-on.html for a pancocojams post about the Gospel song "Jesus Is On The Main Line".

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LYRICS: PICK YOUR AFRO, DADDY
Afro (Freestyle Skit)
(Erykah Badu, James Poyser, Jaífar Barron)

Excuse us, Ladies and Gentleman..1, 2..

You need to pick yo afro, daddy
Cuz it's flat on one side
You need to pick yo afro, daddy
Cuz it's flat on one side
What ya waiting for
Well, if you don't pick yo afro
You're gonna have one side high

Well, you said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang, baby
So I braided my hair
Well, yes you did
Well, you said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang, baby
So I braided my hair, yes I did
Cornrowed and everything, baby
Well, you changed your mind and said we wasn't goin'
But my momma saw you there, yes she did

Check this out, one time
Well, I be blowin' up your pager, daddy
But you never call me back
Well, I be puttin' in 9-1-1, baby
But you never call me back no no
See if you don't know how to use that pager, daddy
I'm gonna take that ho back
Yes I will- you know I'll do it


Source: https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-afro-freestyle-skit-lyrics

Comment on that page by Maira, 2015
"Badu wrote this, as dedicated to ?uestlove of the Roots."

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ADDENDUM: WHAT IS AN "AFRO PICK?" AND WHAT DOES "PICKING YOUR HAIR" MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF BLACK HAIR CARE & THE AFRO AND OTHER BLACK NATURAL HAIRSTYLES? [Revised November 26, 2018]
An "afro pick" is a type of wide tooth hair comb. "Afro" ('fros) usually refer to evenly cut, rounded (halo shaped) big or small natural (non-chemically treated or non-hot comb straightened) hair styles for Black people with tightly coiled hair.

Afro picks can be made entirely of wood or plastic and may also be found as metal "teeth" with a wooden handle. In the context of Black people's hair care "to pick" means "to comb". Because of their wide teeth (prongs) afro picks help detangle tightly curled hair and make it easier to comb. Afro picks also help achieve and maintain afros that have volume and are evenly shaped.

Among Black Americans, "afro picks" may be more colloquially known as "pics" or "picks".

Afros are certain types of natural hairstyles that are worn (mostly) by Black people with tightly curled natural hair (i.e.type 4 hair that isn't treated with chemicals or hot combed.) Click https://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types/coily for information about and photos of 4a, 4b, and 4C hair).

Afro picks are sometimes placed in the front side of (usually) Black males to facilitate carrying that comb. Much less often, afro picks are (also) worn in the hair on usually informal occasions for ornamental fashion purposes. However, the custom of having an afro pic in one's hair is much less often found in the 2000s than it was in the 1970s -in spite of the increased attention that musician Questlove of the Roots band has given to this custom as a result of the Roots being the house band for the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon series since February 2014.

It should be noted that the uneven style of ?uestlove's (Questlove)'s afro is very different from the evenly rounded (halo) style of big or small afros that were worn in the 1970s.

African Americans who wore our hair in afros, picked our hair for one of these or both of these reasons:
1. to help detangle the tightly curled natural hair
2. to achieve and help maintain a full, evenly rounded afro style

Afros a('fros) are natural hairstyles for (mostly) Black people with 4a, 4b, and/or 4c hair (Note that it's not unusual for an individual to have moer than one type of hair texture. In the late 1960s through the 1970s, afros were round, halo, evenly styled hairstyles, and the bigger (fuller) the afro was the better it was considered to be. However, that afro style became less favored in the 1980s although they can still be found among a small number of Black males and Black females. And in contrast to the 2000s, teeny tiny afros ("twas"- closely cropped natural hair, including shaved almost to the scalp were hardly found at all among Black American women.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-changing-shape-of-womens-afro-hair.html for a pancocojams post entitled "The Changing Shapes Of Women's Afro Hair Styles (with January 2018 Update)"

Another way of achieving a fuller look with afros was (is) to braid or twist one's natural hair (at night before going to bed and then unbraiding or untwisting that hair (the next morning or longer*) before combing it with an afro pick or (more often nowadays) with another style of large tooth comb.

In Erykah Badu's "Pick Your Afro Daddy" freestyle song, Badu suggests that the man she is addressing (originally the drummer known as Questlove, who she informally and affectionately refers to as "Daddy", pick his afro hair in order to achieve an even look to that hair, i.e. one side is "flat" while the other side is higher.

In "Pick Your Afro, Daddy" Badu also refers to the custom (since the 1970s) of Black people braiding our natural hair and then taking out those braids and combing (picking) it in order to help make it easier to comb and wear in a 'fro.

Well, you said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang, baby
So I braided my hair, yes I did
Cornrowed and everything, baby"

In my opinion, Badu's reference to "cornrowed and everything" is artistic license. Generally speaking, cornrow hairstyles take much too long to do for people to take that hairstyle out the next morning or the next day after doing them.

It's important to note that way back in the 1970s-1990s, neither I nor any other Black female over the age of eighteen I knew would wear our natural hair out in public in braids or in cornrows, excerpt when those braids were worn with decorated with beads or with cowrie shell. Wearing hair in cornrows or braids were children's hairstyles which could be worn by men but were considered only maintenance hairstyles for women. (By maintenance, I mean that braiding or cornrowing helped keep naturally tightly curled hair from tangling and frizzing up). However, since the resurgence of the Black natural hair movement, particularly since the early 2000s- wearing one's hair in braids, cornrows, or "twist out" are considered much more socially acceptable and are even considered stylish by a number of Black women and others.

To be clear, it's usually incorrect to refer to most natural hair styles worn by Black Americans nowadays as "afros" ('fros).

Here's one example (out of numerous YouTube examples) of "twists outs" - one of many popular natural hairstyles that are now worn by Black women: twisting sections of the hair, leaving the twists in overnight, or for several days, then taking the twists out, and wearing your hair that way without picking out (combing out) the hair:

SUPER DEFINED TWIST OUT ON 4C NATURAL HAIR ft SALON PRO TWIN OLIVE GEL | Luchi Loyale



Luchi Loyale, Published on Jun 10, 2018

-snip-
In contrast, here's a 2013 video of a big afro:

Biggest Afro Hair In The World - Guinness World Record



Barcroft TV, Published on Aug 1, 2013

Biggest Afro Hair In The World - Guinness World Record

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series on afro picks.
Read the selected articles and comments about "afro picks" in Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Zap Mama & Erykah Badu - Bandy Bandy (Belgium and USA)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two videos of the Zap Mama song "Bandy Bandy". One of those videos of this song features Erykah Badu with Zap Mama (Marie Daulne). Lyrics & information about the song "Bandy Bandy" are also included in this post along with information about Zap Mama & Erykah Badu.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, & aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ZAP MAMA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zap_Mama
"Zap Mama is a Belgian artist Marie Daulne. Zap Mama sings Polyphonic and Afro-Pop music; a harmonic music with a mixture of infused African vocal techniques, Urban, Hip-Hop with emphasis on voice.[1] The worldwide success of Zap Mama, and an ensemble of female polyphonic singers, inspired influences in American Hip Hop, Nu-Soul, Jazz and elements of Pop. The evolving musical compositions created a diverse band of singers and musicians for Zap Mama...

Sources of Zap Mama's music include Daulne's roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, her upbringing in Belgium, and her return to Africa to rediscover her musical roots...

After Daulne left home she remembered the African songs her mother sang to her as a child.[11] "When I left home, I missed those songs, and in the school choir, I wondered why we didn't use African harmonising. So my sister and I started to sing African melodies, and Zap Mama was born. I wrote my first song at 15, and my artist friend Nina said that what we were doing was amazing. She helped me to find a gig, and from that day, it has been non-stop."...

In the documentary film Mizike Mama, Daulne and her family recall a reverse cultural tug-of-war for her allegiance during her childhood.[12] Her mother feared that Daulne would grow up too African and so did not teach her tribal songs.[12] However the Belgian side of her family encouraged Daulne to explore her African heritage.[12] Daulne first heard a recording of traditional pygmy music when she was 20.[13] She decided to return Congo-Kinshasa in 1984[3] to learn about her heritage and train in pygmy onomatopoeic vocal techniques.[13] "When I went to the Congo, I hadn’t thought of being a musician. Not at all. But I was there, and I was standing in the middle of the forest, hearing the music that had been a part of my earliest memories, and it was like an illumination, like a light," Daulne said...

Daulne's music has evolved over the years from an a cappella quintet to a lead voice accompanied by instruments.[14] "I’m a nomad. I like to discover my sound with different instruments, different genres. For me it’s normal. My name is Zap Mama...it’s easy for me to zap in from one instrument to another, a culture, a style. I’m more a citizen of the world, not an American or Belgian."

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INFORMATION ABOUT ERYKAH BADU
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erykah_Badu
"Erykah Abi Wright (born Erica Abi Wright February 26, 1971),[1] better known by her stage name Erykah Badu, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz.[1] She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre. She is known as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul" or the "Queen of Neo-Soul".

Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful headwraps. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared[2] to jazz great Billie Holiday.[3][4] She was a core member of the Soulquarians, and is also an actress having appeared in a number of films playing a range of supporting roles in movies such as Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D. She also speaks at length in the documentaries Before the Music Dies and "The Black Power Mixtapes"...

By the age of 14, Erykah was free-styling for a local radio station alongside such talent as Roy Hargrove. In her early youth, she decided to change the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she firmly believed her original name to be her slave name. The term 'kah' signifies the inner self. Badu is her favorite jazz scat sound and is also an African name for the 10th born child used for the Akan people in Ghana.[5]"...

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INFORMATION ABOUT & LYRICS OF THE SONG "BANDY BANDY"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy-bandy
"Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) is a species of snake in the Elapidae family. It is endemic to Australia.

Individuals are marked with alternating black and white or yellowish bands, which give the species both its common names and the Latin name"...
-snip-
In this 2004 Zap Mama" song "Bandy Bandy" means to move rhythmically through life so that your soul & your body feel good. The black & white coloring of this species of snake may have been purposely chosen for the symbolism of its coloring by the mixed race (Congo/Belgian) "Zap Mama" [Marie Daulne].

Here's some information about the album from which that song comes:
"Ancestry in Progress" (2004) reflects Daulne's new life in the United States, as it synthesizes her traditional African and European influences with American musical styles like hip-hop and R&B.[9] "The American beat is a revolution all over the world," Daulne says.[9] "Everybody listens to it and everybody follows it. But the beat of the United States was inspired by the beat coming from Africa. Not just its structure, but the sound of it. This is the source of modern sounds, the history of the beat, starting from little pieces of wood banging against one another, and arriving on the big sound-systems today. It's genius. So I wanted to create an album about the evolution of old ancestral vocal sounds, how they traveled from Africa, mixing with European and Asian sounds, and were brought to America."[9] Ancestry in Progress (2004) reached #1 on the Billboard World Music Album chart.[20] A music video for the single "Bandy Bandy," featuring Erykah Badu, directed by Bill Fishman and produced by David Herrera (music video director), aired on VH1."
-Zap Mama Wikipedia (The link is given above.)

-snip-
BANDY BANDY
Like bandy bandy
wave ya body like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Like bandy bandy
wave ya body like bandy bandy yeah

When the day gets too long
when its so right now feel so wrong
Listen to what i say
See if you dont agree
Theres something i learned long ago
Down where the blu waters flow
Something people do to let their spirits free

In the morning time
in the afternoon
in the cool evening breeze

Like bandy bandy wave ya body
like bandy bandy yeah
ooh
like bandy bandy wave ya body like bandy bandy yeah
ooh

Any time of the day
wave
Any place
wave
if u feelin down
wave-move ya body like a bandy snake

if u feel the day
wave
anyplace that u happen to be
wave
if u feelin low
wave
just do what u need

in the morning time
in the afternoon
in the cool evening breeze

(2x)like bandy bandy
wave ya body
like bandy bandy yeah
ooh

(2x)Take the time
fill the day
fill the light
fill the day
fill the night take a breath
fill yourself full of light
shine(shine)
until u feel your soul away

Source: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/z/zap_mama/bandy_bandy.html

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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Zap Mama & Erykah Badu - Bandy Bandy



theangryblackman, Uploaded on Jun 14, 2006

Off the cd "Ancestry In Progress"

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Example #2:
Zap Mama - Bandy Bandy (Live In Philly)



reelblack, Uploaded on Dec 19, 2008

Zap Mama performs her hit, Bandy Bandy at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA on June 27, 2008. Includes intro. Actual Song begins at 2:58. Special Thanks Young Friends Society. Visit www.worldcafelive.com and www.zapmama.be A Reelblack Exclusive

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RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-afro-european-afropean-mean.html "What Afro-European" and "Afropean" Mean".

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Thanks to Zap Mama & to Erykah Badu for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those whose information & transcription are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitors comments are welcome.