Throughout her colorful career, Erykah Badu has maintained strong creative control over her music, a reality that has allowed the neo-soul/funk singer to experiment with several different sounds. While one of her latest singles, the Lil Wayne-featured “Jump Up in the Air and Stay There,” has received favorable reviews, Badu has revealed that she will not add the track to her upcoming album New Amerykah Part Two. Her decision was made partly due to a desire to protect the integrity of her music.
“The age of Aquarius is a whirlwind, baby,” she told Billboard. “I can say, ‘No pictures, no video,’ but everything is a video camera now. Because of the kind of artist I am, I don’t want to lose the boutiqueness or the exclusivity of the music. The element of surprise is a true element for an artist, just like earth, wind, fire, and water.”
The track, however, will remain available digitally, as will several remixes of the song featuring Snoop Dogg, Jay Electronica, Raekwon, and a few others. Badu expressed that the album will contain themes dealing with love, rather than the heavy political motifs heard on her last LP. New Amerykah Part Two will include production from Madlib, 9th Wonder, and Badu herself. The album is due on Mar. 30.
In other news, producer Ty Fyffe has extended his global “Raw ‘N’ Uncut” contest deadline to Apr. 15. The contest challenges rappers to send in their best video freestyles for a chance to appear on the “Raw ‘N’ Uncut” compilation hosted by DJ Kay Slay.
“I am very excited with the selections we have made so far,” said Ty Fyffe, who has worked with artists like 50 Cent, Nas, and Rakim. “I’m still looking for a dope female and male singer, and I’d like to hear a reggae artist too.”
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Videos can be submitted at www.tyfyffe.com.
