Album Preview: Erykah Badu – ‘New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh’

Erykah Badu claims she’s “no braver than any other artist,” but her fifth studio album New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh screams a sort of firefighter’s courage. This coming from a pint-sized, hair-wrapped, green-eyed “Fat Belly Bella,” sauntering into the back room of New York City’s Chung King Studios last week holding a stick of burning incense. Yes, Badu is clearing the air before she gives the gift of music to the press.



Critics know what to expect. The 38-year-old Dallas, Texas native has taken chances, and her creativity is undeniable. As the sequel to 2008’s New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War, due February 23, 2010, begins to play from the speakers and the lights dim, everyone has their seat belt fastened, and maybe even the child safety lock secured. Featuring contributors from Part One—James Poyser, 9th Wonder, Sa-Ra, and Madlib—the soulful songstress prepared the passengers in the room for one hell of an auditory ride. The word on the street is love, but that cliché is ridden here with abstract lessons and samples from the Notorious B.I.G.