Neo-soul/Hip-Hop Queen Erykah Badu finally makes her way to the Philippines as she adds Manila as the last stop of her Badu VS. Everythang Tour 2017 A.D on October 14, 2017, at the Harbour Garden Tent, Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila.
ERYKAH BADU AS A MUSIC ICON
The American singer-songwriter, record producer, DJ, and activist is heralded by many of today’s soul, hip-hop, and R&B legends as the First Lady or the Queen of Neo Soul. The commercial and critical success of her debut album paved the way for the other neo-soul artists that followed, like D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell.
Filipino fans have been waiting for her to grace our shores since her debut in 1997 – exactly 20 years ago – when she released her Grammy-winning album, Baduizm, and neo-soul/R&B classics, “On & On,” “Next Lifetime,” and “Tyrone” — the latter released on a live follow-up record, Baduizm Live. She is known for other iconic tracks, such as “Didn’t Cha Know,” “Bag Lady,” “Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-hop),” “Honey,” “Window Seat,” and “Cel U Lar Device.”
Although her career took off within the neo-soul realm in 1997, she is a multi-genre artist, producer, and DJ, whose influences and work span from Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk, Experimental, Electronic, and Hip-Hop. Throughout her 20-year career, she has worked with many other hip-hop heavyweights, like Questlove (The Roots), Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest), and the late, great producer, J Dilla. More recently she has worked with jazz master Robert Glasper; Chance The Rapper; electronica producer Bonobo; and pop producer Mark Ronson. She has covered Drake, and has revived collaborations with ex-beau Andre 3000 (OutKast).
ERYKAH BADU AS A FASHION ICON
Daring, eccentric, and unapologetic in both sound and style, Erykah Badu is not one to shy away from making statements as bold as they come. She is best known for representing her African roots – whether customary or contemporary – with colorful, intricately patterned traditional robes and head wraps, and ancient iconography; as well as the most cutting edge in urban culture. In between, she is experimental with her makeup and hairstyles, and extravagant with her accessories.
She has been affiliated with several formidable fashion brands, including:
- Muse of Givenchy’s S/S 2014 collection
- Muse of Tom Ford’s White Patchouli fragrance
- Styled Pyer Moss’ A/W 2016 collection at New York Fashion Week
ERYKAH BADU AS A LIFE ICON
Never one to be pushed around by hype, Erykah Badu embodies the values of authenticity, honesty, and integrity. Apart from being an artist, she is an activist, a punk. In an industry full of gloss, she remains a real person and isn’t afraid to be daring, quirky, and imperfect; to express her voice, values, ideals, roots, and grit, which all contribute to her perfectly-crafted art.
Committed to children, Erykahheads a non-profit organization, B.L.I.N.D. (Beautiful Love Incorporated Nonprofit Development), which focuses on providing community-driven development for underprivileged youth through music, dance, theater, and visual arts. She is also a practicing midwife, who helps mothers (most of whom cannot afford proper healthcare) successfully deliver their babies.
ERYKAH BADU VS EVERYTHANG
The Erykah Badu VS Everythang 2017 AD world tour commenced in May, and concludes in Manila on October 14. She plays several funk and jazz festivals throughout the tour, in Atlanta, Italy, London, New Orleans, New York, Netherlands, Osaka, Paris, and Tokyo. Manila is the last stop on her tour schedule, and is the only Southeast Asian city plotted on her global trek. Her last performance in the region was at the Java Jazz Fest in 2012.
Opening for Ms. Badu are formidable Filipino DJs. Confirmed to front are Turntables & Rhythm, featuring DJ Shortkut and DJ Kristian Hernandez, who are no strangers to hyping up the Filipino crowd with their past experience at the Malasimbo festivals. Joining them are soul singers August Wahh (Chocolate Grass) and Kat Agarrado (SinoSikat?), and rappers RH Xanders and Skarm.
Erykah Badu VS Everythang Tour 2017 AD, Live in Manila will be on October 14, 2017, at the Harbour Garden Tent, Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Volume Unit Entertainment produces the show, in co-production with Worldwide Womb. This event is Presented by Heineken; Co-Presented by FOX International Channels; and supported by ABS-CBN Lifestyle, FHM.com.ph, INQ.net, Nolisoli.PH, Preen Online, and Scout Magazine PH. Tickets are available at www.malasimbo.com, www.worldwidewombasia.com, and SM Tickets.
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS:
Volume Unit Entertainment, Inc. (VUE) is an Event Producer, Music and Audio Consultancy, Booking Agent, and Music Promoter, most known for organizing the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival at Puerto Galera, and most recently the Lio Beach Festival at El Nido, Palawan. VUE endeavors to build platforms and bridges for artists to be seen and heard by a global audience. Our events are the testament to VUE’s expertise and commitment to innovation, quality control, and sustainability.
Worldwide Womb Asia is conceived primarily to produce high-quality international events and traces its roots to club and concert promotions. Handling some of the country’s top clubs and concert productions, WWW’s growing thrust is also to produce and collaborate with the industry’s leading and most talented names to conceptualize and bring to life pioneering productions. Worldwide Womb is now gearing up for bigger events and even bigger artists to create unique experiences.
