The Beginner's Guide to Afrofuturism

Allow me to share my profound admiration for the musical sorceress herself, Erykah Badu. Known for her eclectic style and genre-defying music, Badu effortlessly bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, steadily creating a space for Afrofuturism to flourish. Her ethereal melodies and soul-stirring lyrics have been the soundtrack to my life since the release of her iconic album, “Baduizm” when I was just a wide-eyed youth. Fast forward to this past summer, and I find myself blessed with the opportunity to embark on the “Unfollow Me” tour in Washington, D.C. alongside none other than my mom—a moment that feels like the completion of a cosmic circle.

Erykah Badu holds a special place in my heart, not just as an artist but as a sonic guide through the various stages of my existence. She is a magician, an alchemist and somehow balances the duality of having the oldest soul combined with supersonic futuristic healing powers. It was my mom who first introduced me to the mesmerizing world of Badu’s music, igniting a lifelong appreciation for her artistry. Attending the “Unfollow Me” Tour together feels like a shared pilgrimage, a celebration of the musical journey we’ve traversed over the years.

Atmospheric Principles 

As we enter the concert venue, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. A sea of concertgoers wearing Badu’s iconic symbols–ankhs, top hats, headwraps and tribal patterns–erupt all around us. The stage, is adorned with Afrofuturistic motifs of Badu and cosmic visuals set the tone for an otherworldly experience as background singers coo in unison before her arrival. 

The moment Badu steps onto the stage, draped in garments that seamlessly blended traditional African attire with futuristic elements, including a silver top hat and her very own color-changing LED goggles, I feel a surge of pride and recognition. According to her Badu World Market website, these goggles have the power to stop all low-frequency interference and they are activated by way of good intentions (lol!). This is just the kind of mysticism that I signed up for, and not at all unusual for the doula. 

As Badu’s voice echoes through the venue, the visuals accompanying her performance are captivating. Afrofuturistic symbols and ancient African iconography dance across the stage, creating a multi-sensory experience that immerses us in a narrative of cultural continuity and evolution. Rays of light enhance the images and at times jut out overhead creating an almost 3D experience.

Impact & Personal Perspective

Throughout the concert, I find myself oscillating between the familiar and the unknown, a reflection of the dualities inherent in the African diasporic experience. Badu’s ability to seamlessly weave together diverse musical influences, from soulful rhythms rooted in the African continent to the avant-garde sounds of the future, resonate with the complexity of my own identity. It is a visual quest as she describes it, that invites me to reconsider my own narrative and question the imposed boundaries that have shaped my understanding of self. If she could traverse the stars and come to Washington, D.C. (and 24 other cities) to put on this magnetic performance, what was I myself capable of? The possibilities feel endless and that is in essence how Afrofuturism can take on new meaning from creator to spectator and back again. This transference of energy between us and Badu is something I can’t fully describe.

What makes the experience even more magical is Erykah’s acknowledgment of the tour being dedicated to the “90s babies.” She even thanks the parents who she knew brought their 90s babies to the show, like my mom. As a proud representative of that era, it feels like another cosmic alignment—a space where nostalgia and futuristic visions converge. Erykah shares a nugget of insight that resonates deeply with me: “Baduizm,” her debut studio album, was conceived while she was pregnant with her son. The notion that this sonic masterpiece was a gift and form of communication to her own child (and ultimately to many other children who are now adults sharing this experience) adds an extra layer of transcendence to the album’s significance. 

“Baduizm,” with its soulful melodies and illuminating lyrics, has been a transformative force in my life. It has served as a companion during moments of joy, solace during times of reflection and a conduit for self-discovery. As one of the prominent visionaries of Afrofuturism, Erykah Badu is not only an icon but a living legend. Her ability to seamlessly blend the ancestral rhythms of the past with the celestial possibilities of the future is nothing short of magical. As the concert unfolds, I find myself introspecting on the profound impact Afrofuturism has on our collective consciousness. Erykah Badu, with her “Unfollow Me” tour, not only entertained but educated. 

Badu’s Words of Wisdom

According to an interview Badu did with Vibe Magazine, the “Unfollow Me” tour title is a double entendre. On one hand, it relates to cancel culture because at this stage in her life, she just wants to be, and if people don’t like that they can simply unfollow her via social media. On the other hand, she explains: 

“I also say unfollow me because I’m lost too. We all on an individual journey, we’re finding our way. So, following me wouldn’t really benefit you because you are on your journey. That’s your cup you’re drinking out, this is mine. And I want to encourage people to do that too, and it’s a reminder to myself.”

She describes the show as a cosmic journey full of whimsical surprises, but also a space where everyone, including her, can come and just be themselves. She expresses that the rehearsals, images and lighting are one thing but “what happens between the audience and the artist is a very special thing.” Badu leaves us with one last surprise at the close of her show and that is a sneak peek of the movie trailer for “They Cloned Tyrone.”

She has a song on her “Live” album that was released alongside “Baduizm,” called “Tyrone.” She excitedly tells us that there is a movie coming out that features her music. I won’t spoil the film but check out my 10 Essential Afrofuturist Films post for a short synopsis. She created a remix or “clone” of the song by flipping the chorus from “you better call Tyrone” to “somebody cloned Tyrone,” and rewrote the entire track to fit the film’s narrative. Badu, as an artist, invites us not only to experience her music but to engage with a thought-provoking narrative that goes beyond the boundaries of the Capital One Arena.

In the aftermath of the “Unfollow Me” tour, the memory of “They Cloned Tyrone” lingers, serving as a testament to Badu’s ability to challenge norms and expand the Afrofuturism conversation. The fusion of music, visuals and cinematic storytelling exemplifies her commitment to crafting immersive experiences that go beyond the ordinary, leaving us with a profound sense of wonder and contemplation about the interconnectedness of music, film and the boundless possibilities of Afrofuturism. 

Erykah Badu, is one of the prominent visionaries of Afrofuturism for a reason. Sharing this experience with my mom adds a layer of generational connection, emphasizing the universality of Badu’s impact on diverse audiences. In the universe of our (mine and my mother’s) lives, Erykah Badu’s music has been omnipresent, and the “Unfollow Me” tour is a celestial journey that solidifies her status as an eternal muse in my musical odyssey. As we continue to traverse the vast expanse of time, her influence will undoubtedly reverberate across many more generations. 

How has Erykah Badu or another Afrofuturist musical artist influenced you? Tell me about your concert-going experiences and sonic transformations in the comments below!