Erykah Badu revealed that her new album is to be titled Nu AmErykah. The set is due Feb. 26 via Universal Motown. In response to the prior provisional title, Kabbah, Badu says that that name was never final and that she prefers to wait and title her albums once they’re finished.
“I named this album Nu AmErykah because I’m dealing with whatever is to come instead of what was,” said Badu, decked out in jeans, a red kimono and her trademark afro. “In taking on a project like this, I’m taking the responsibility to talk for my race and my planet. I’m sure the record company will make their money and they’ve given me the blessing of time.”
Badu’s last studio album, 2003′s Worldwide Underground was a great effort with little promotion, because Erykah’d just had a baby. However, with Nu AmErykah, she plans to make up for lost time. The double-disc album will include 18 tracks, including the new single “Honey,” produced by 9th Wonder and the follow-up ’70′s soul-inspired single, “Soldier 7.”
AMERIE TELLS ALL
Amerie’s AXN Commercial
Amerie recently got really candid about the situation with her record label in a popular urban magazine in the UK. Here’s what she had to say:
RWD: How has your label treated you?
Amerie: Er, you probably don’t even want to ask me that right now. That’s how I feel abut it. I personally love some of the people that work here in the UK; my publicist Shoshanna and Simon… but I really don’t want to talk about it ‘cos I want to keep it all positive, you feel me?RWD: Well, it seems the album didn’t really perform as well as it should have?
Amerie: ‘Cos they’re not pushing it like they should.RWD: Why aren’t they?
Amerie: We want to release “Crush,” but they feel there’s a lot going on. This is my thing; I’m an artist and this is not rocket science. “Take Control” was going good, so we knew we had to schedule the video for “Gotta Work.” But you need money to do a video, and by the time we got it cleared, it was late. They didn’t feel like that, but anybody with half a brain could see it was late. So then “Gotta Work” was going up, but it peaked and rapidly started coming down, so we knew we needed to do “Crush.” They said wait. I love the business and I studied the business and I told them we needed to do the other video, because you need to have another single when your other track is peaking. They’re talking about doing it next year, but I’m not doing it next year! So I don’t know what to tell you. I get that everyone’s filled with good intentions, but the road to perdition is filled with good intentions. There should have been no gaps.
Although Amerie’s Because I Love It was released months ago overseas, Amerie is going to release “Crush” as a single and is also going back into the studio with Pharrell to create some new music for the US released of the album. When I was a fan of Amerie, I was always eager to hear her get into the studio with The Neptunes. I think that could be a good look for her. Hopefully, Because I Love It will be released in the States within the next coming months.
Amerie can most recently been seen in the new AXN commercial. She looks amazing, as usual.
JAMES LACKEY SIGNS PUBLISHING DEAL
Usher’s younger brother, James Lackey, 23, who producers under the name J. Lack and is responsible for producing Lloyd’s club hit, “Get It, Shawty!” just signed a publishing deal with EMI.
“J. Lack surprised me with his talent,” said Jonnetta Patton, Usher and J. Lack’s mother. “He began creating beats while Usher and I were on the road working. One day he played a beat for us and we both were shocked. He has grown as a producer and has determination and the work ethic to be named among the very successful producers one day. I’m his 1 fan.”
J. Lack says he might put out a rap record in the future, but he really sees himself as a producer. He definitely has no aspirations of being a singer like Usher. You may remember, Solange just signed a publishing deal with EMI as well. Looks like they’re into new young talent. J. Lack’s beats actually are pretty good, just like Jonetta, I was surprised by the tracks that I heard.
Holland in the house!!! First
Looking forward to Erykahs new music.
Good luck to J Lack
Finally!!! Ms Badu presents us with another album yeaaaaa boyyyyyyy
I cannot wait! We love what you do Badu!
ERYKAH FUCKED UP WHEN SHE BROKE UP WITH COMMON, HE HAD HER LOOKING FLY AND DOING SOME DOPE ASS MUSIC…NOW SHE LOOKS LIKE SHIT AND DOES NOT SOUND AS GOOD…..WTF>
She was in DC for the Congessional Black Caucus and killed it!
Can’t wait for Erykah’s album
Amerie is right about Columbia, that is the sorriest record label in the entire music biz. They didn’t do her and Jagged Edge right. The Clipse better watch out…
J. Lack’s beats are nice and he is cute.
@5 stop hating, you are acting like she broke up with you, Common is not crying so why are you,,,just a question darling.
The one has spoken…NOW SHUT THE BACK DOOR.
poor amerie i love her. she’s a great artist, they always do the great 1′s dirty, n promote the talentless chicks!
Its about time Erykah blessed us with another album! Can’t wait to hear it. J. Lack…did he produce that song Usher sing called Make it Rain? Its not on any album, I heard it on the net. I’m guessing its supposed to be on his upcoming album.
Erykah is that broad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Real talk.
Columbia puts all their time and investment in Beyonce..lol..it’s very obvious!..anyways those songs were whack and they didn’t keep any interest for the puiblic…but I still like Amerie.
Erykahs’a album “Worldwide Underground” was dope I still play it..I can’t wait for this album to drop
And congrats to Usher brother he has grown up!..lol
Amerie: Has it ever occured to you that we don’t think you’re that great of a singer so now matter how much the “record label” pushes your music down our throats, we still won’t like it? Just a question.
Why would Columbia release Amerie’s album when the songs that were released was not getting a good response? They’re not going to waste money. She better be glad she have a deal.
Erykah reppin that Dallas, TEXAS!!!!!!! I can’t wait for her new album.
Amerie needs to sit down. She is trying really hard to stay in the game.
I am so excited…..I think I just threw up a lil bit.
-Z’maji @ http://hauteblogxoxo.wordpress.com
Can’t wait for that new Badu to drop!!!
I can’t wait for her album to drop. Finally good music from a real artist is on the way. There is a lot of bullshit out there…
BADU ALWAYS BRINGS THE FIYAH!!!!!!!!!! SHE’S AWESOME LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!
I ACTUALLY LIKE THAT SONG TAKE CONTROL BY AMERI WELL I LIKE HER AS AN ARTIST BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS ALWAYS THE $.
J. LACKEY WE’LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE FOR REAL.
I am so excited about the new Erykah! I been waiting on this shhh!! Like I’m still waiting on that new Maxwell! And @ #5 whatever, Erykah was making her best music way before Common. LOL. I expect her new cd to be pure genius if its like Baduizm or Mama Gun!
THAT’S MY HOME GIRL…KEEP REPPIN DALLAS IN a BIG WAY !!!!
in Dallas she has never stopped – so whe havent missed her at all…..
Community activist, charities, free concerts….I guess we will share you with the rest of the world now that we have had you to ourselves for a while…
shout out to NAyRock
DJ MUTHA
#13–great comment! Bad music is bad music..and I don’t care how a much a label promotes it…when a label even attempts to promote to push a bad record i.e. force the artist to sing the wack song on 106 and Park–just an example- only the musically ‘declined’ will respond and like the music–the teenagers–and then the teenagers are going to go home and illegally download the wack music instead buying it because they don’t want to spend the little money that they have..so it’s back to square 1. Then no one makes money.
I am a big Amerie fan because I think she has a nice voice, she’s college educated, and seems down to earth. The problem with her was that she was starting to push her new singles when people were still enjoying ‘Touch’..which was a hit, so it was overkill. People were still buying ‘Touch’ in late 2006. ’1 thing’ was still getting radio play in early 2007–TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS RELEASED. “Gotta Work” was not a strong single like ’1 thing’. So a lot of US radio stations who were still bumping 1 Thing were highly dissapointed in Gotta Work.
damn, double disc? hell ya, can’t wait ms badu.
i like amerie (am i the only one who loved her Touch album? that shit was the soundtrack of my life, summer 05)
usher’s mom wasn’t the only one surprised. when i found out that was usher’s lil bro’s beat i was dancing to, i was shocked!
I love Badu with her crazy self. Amerie voice gets annoying after a while but I did buy her last two cds. Congrats to J lack not sure about the rapping tho.
@24
You ain’t the only one! I love that album.
“Because I Love It” is a critically acclaimed album so….people saying “its bad” or the songs are bad. Obviously haven’t heard it and are too stuck on shitty music from Chris Brown and Ciara to notice.
That pretty much shows how ignorant America has become when it comes to music and musical taste, when wack songs like “Kiss Kiss” and “I Wanna Fuck You” can make it to #1.
AMERIE, SOMETIMES U GOTTA WORK HARD FOR IT!, ERYKAH ALWAYS BRINGS IT!
unlike many of these other no talent, dumb broads. Amerie went to Georgetown University and got her bachelor’s degree in English. haters just love to hate.
i would be interested in workin wit j lack. when i get ny shinin time. hw was on cribs doin beats at ushers crib
I believe Amerie is doing very well overseas….
That’s the record bis, but if they don’t push the album then we the public want hear it, take Alicia Keys No One single, it sucked but guess what the record label pushed it and it had good promotion and that forced the public to like it. So I love Amerie and she speaks the Truth. Crush is hottttttttt.
Umm…maybe Amerie’s album is not doing well because she is not the best vocalist and does not have a distinct sound…
Come on Badu !! I love your music!! Can’t wait for the album!
@31
What are you talking about? “Best R&B Solo Female Vocal Performance” for “1 Thing”…enough said.
Who exactly has an original vocal style now? Not Beyonce, not Chrisette Michelle, not Alicia Keys, not Rihanna, and not Ciara…………think before you speak.
true, 30.
i hate(d) that damn song.
*correction* Grammy Nomination for Best R&B Female Solo Vocal Performance” for “1 Thing”
Congrats to Erykah,i might actually buy this cd. Her first will always be a classic to me. Amerie is my girl and I fell in love with her when I saw her perform in Brooklyn this past summer. I wish her well and I liked Because I Love it cd, it was different and BOOMBOX u are not the only one who loves the underrated Touch!! “Talkin About” is still my shit to this day!!!!
Just because someone doesn’t sell records doesn’t mean that they are bad. Teedra Moses’ record label didn’t want her to release her first album in the beginning but they did later on. And record sales don’t equate to quality. Example: Fergie’s album has sold 3,000,000+ in the U.S. alone and that was a shitty album.
And just because an album gets pushed back doesn’t mean that its bad. Mario’s “Go” album has been pushed back so many times and its very good, Teedra Moses’ new album was supposed to come out in February but its been pushed back till 2008. People need to stop being so one-minded.
Lord love her, as crazy as Ms. Badu is sometimes, she is an artist that always has something hot to say!!
Amerie, sweetie for real,for real, most people can only name one or two tracks off your projects that people actually like sorry boo!! Colombia is going to ride the Beyonce train til the last last stop!!!
lol@SCOOBY
hell ya! damn you made me want to imeem that whole album until i get home.
I love Amerie and I’m not just saying that because I’m doing MY dam thing at G’town too!
Make your mom and bro proud J Lack!!!
30 – No One sucked to you, and probably others. But it is a great song to others without it being forced down anyone’s throats.
The music biz as a whole is fickle an artist has to create a strong fan base. I download singles but If I love your music I will buy ur cd. I believe they work hard putting it together so why not buy it? It is hard to relevant these days when they pushing out an artist a week. Like Brandy said she remember when it was her, Monica and Aaliyah and an artist had a fair chance to shine. Not these days everybody is a star or trying to be.
I love Amerie, why is it that people love to “hate” on her but those same people whine about others “hating” on artists like Ciara?
You can respect Ciara for “being an intellegent black female” even though she never graduated from college or high school, but you can’t respect Amerie, a talented, intellegent black female who has started her own business, writes her own music, and co-produces her own music? The system is messed up.
@37 I going to get Mario cd today I love him and I can’t wait for the interview.
i can’t believe usher’s brother is 23..i thought he was barely 19..wow..time flies.
that’s so sad that amerie isn’t getting support from her label..she is so underrated..keep ya head up, amerie!
what other beats has J.Lack done? and where can we hear his music???
#44, CiCi did graduate high school. She actually began her career right out of high school.
i luv amerie’s music…her first album was fire i still bump it to this day…i hope she gets it together b/c she has great talent….but i don’t know, if she is such a great business woman (as some claim) then why doesnt she try starting her own label???im juss sayin if Keisha Cole can do it why not amerie…shes been in the game longer than keish
JLac actually does have some good production…he produced on Lloyds album (Get it shorty…hazel..etc) and Llyod had a pretty good album…anyway good luck to him
Feel sorry for Amerie……
Going through the same thing as Kelly!!!!
The Music Industry is having trouble right now, its bait they dnt kno what to do
Hey if you wanna here the new single “Honey” off Nu AmErykah (Produced by 9th Wonder) its on http://www.FRESHOPOLY.com
its HOOOOOTTTTT!!!!!!
I love Erykah, she’s my hometown hero…Dallas stand up!!!!
@48
Sorry for my mistake
yay for J. Lac he’s been doing alot lately
Shawn P (50),
Thanks for the link to freshopoly.com, the “Honey” track is Fire…they got a lot of other good music posts too…
but I can’t wait for Nu AmErykah !!!!!!
What does the fact that Amerie graduated from college have to do with her singing ability? I’m having a hard time putting those two things together.
Cant wait for that Badu.
Cant wait for that Badu.
“ERYKAH FUCKED UP WHEN SHE BROKE UP WITH COMMON, HE HAD HER LOOKING FLY AND DOING SOME DOPE ASS MUSIC…NOW SHE LOOKS LIKE SHIT AND DOES NOT SOUND AS GOOD…..WTF>”
I don’t think so. This woman is her own person. If anything,Common gained a lot in regards to “artistry” from her. As a matter of fact,so did Andre 3000. They should thank her for making them seem interesting.
I just finished listening to Worldwide Underground. This woman is so talented.
@54
Shes a Grammy nominated vocalist so I guess she is doing a dayum good job singing regardless of what you think.
Critics take on her vocals:
“It would be no exaggeration to call Amerie one of the greatest singers in pop music. Her vocal performances are extraordinary: she catches the fleeting thrills and momentary rushes of intensity that permeate otherwise mundane days, and stretches those feelings out across four-minute songs without ever letting up.”-From The Guardian
“Unsurprisingly, the ‘60s-influenced tracks are far and away the more interesting. Much of that has to do with Amerie’s vocal performances.”-From Stylus Magazine
I guess you don’t really know what you’re talking about huh?
Ok it’s just one thing that got me trippin. What is everybody talking about? CLEAN OUT YOUR EARS PLEASE! Amerie cannot sell in the U.S because her singing sounds like NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD. She and J’Lo must have went to the same school of music. Girl needs to stick to modeling. Just because you are pretty doesn’t mean you need a record deal. Some of those well-written & produced songs should go to some ppl who can actually sing.