First of all, I LOVE Erykah Badu!!!!  I have all her albums and truly believe her music is spiritual and for the conscious soul…  Not many people will agree with me, but I think any music virtuoso will share the same sentiment.  So of course when I got a last-minute invite approx. 2hrs before her Feb. 24th show I was SUPER SICED!  This particular situation was extra special, as a dear friend and mentor hit me up w/ VIP access to attend (so I humbly obliged).

We arrived fairly early and was able to secure prime positioning on the balcony level stage right, without any visual obstruction.  Food of choice catfish nuggets + quesadillas, libation = Makers Mark.  Ms. Badu hit the stage approx. 2hrs later than expected, but DJ Eque kept me partying to infamous 90’s East/West bangers.  The show started in the vain of a jam session with various artists taking the stage, one by one.   There was quite a soulful line-up, such as N’Dambi and Mayor Hawthorne.   Biz Markie and even Dave Chappelle made a surprise appearance.  Chappelle hit the stage and even went in on the keys, Moonlighting the Sonata…

Apparently, Erykah Badu turned 40 this year and I’m literally shocked!  She looked good, of course eccentric but definitely HOT!!!:

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Her performance consisted of a full band, in addition to Ms. Badu on a Roland drum machine…  The set was HOT, but took a little warming up before she really turned it out.  The last time I saw Erykah Badu perform was 2001 at the Soul Beach Music Festival inside the Miami Orange Bowl and I definitely prefer the intimate non-pregnant set best.  She hit my favorite love mantra “I Want You,” the infectious chanting and simplicity of words embodied in the Worldwide Underground album. *whewwwwww*

The night was one to remember, I was in good company and ran into a few familiar folks…  Aside from the chicken bone in my quesadilla and partying a little too hard w/ a gay dude (who knocked my drink over the railing onto some poor soul below), it couldn’t have been any better.  Ecstactic I was able to share the moment w/ Ms. Badu to celebrate her 40th Birthday.

I also want to shout-out a few folks that I had the pleasure of seeing:  Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) & Laz Alonso (DC native @lazalonso – Avatar & Miracle at St. Ana) were both mesmerized by Ms. Badu’s ass-piring performance.  The homie Eddie Goines (@EddieGoines) the leading man for N’Dambi’s new music video, was with the director Matthew Cherry (@MatthewACherry – whom’s hustle I truly admire).  B’more K (Karron Johnson), always fun chopping it up & talking sh*t.  Ms. Wanzer, I miss you girl!  Paul (@PDiesl), it’s funny how twitter creates alliances.