Erykah Badu Celebrates “New Amerykah Pt. 2” Release in L.A. (Exclusive Coverage)

Erkyah Badu has always been an artist for the people, and at last night's release party for her "New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh" she proved it in more ways than one. While DJs J Rocc, Kutmah and DJ Nobody got the crowd packed into L.A.'s historically lush El Rey Theater warmed up, Erykah decided to walk the floor and meet her fans face to face. It was a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the droves of audience members who flocked to be by her side, and one I frankly can't remember another artist ever doing.

Quick detour: While Erykah mingled with the people giant TV screens above the stage ran an assortment of Badu-related videos, including her newly released visuals for "Window Seat". When the video came on, Erykah somewhat surrealy paused to watch, looking like she didn't fully believe she stripped nude in the middle of Dealey Plaza either, while the audience roared their approval. Only in Amerykah.

Ok, back to the main story. With the audience more than adequately hyped and a full band including a harp player backing her up, Erkyah finally stepped on stage and immediately proceeded to launch into a strikingly dope rendition of "The Healer" off "New Amerykah Part One".



From there the rest of the night was a sweat-inducing, funkdafied medley of her past hits (note to self: people lose their minds when Erykah Badu plays "On & On'), and, of course, a compelling preview of the new album, most prominently including extended jam versions of "Out My Mind, Just in Time", "20 Feet Tall" and the aforementioned "Window Seat", among others.



Feeling inspired to pick up a copy of "New Amerykah Part Two: The Return of the Ankh"? You should be. Click here to pick up a copy on iTunes, or visit the distributor of your choice..