Retro Review / Erykah Badu’s Didn’t Cha Know: A Celestial Gift That Defies Genre

To me, Erykah Badu has always been an artist who has transcended genre. She is part hip hop, part funk, part R&B, a dash of pop and all celestial queen. She has always had this hippie / Mother Earth vibe to her that draws you in. Her work on Mama’s Gun exemplifies this as she can move from hip hop to free flowing jazz grooves. Her recent work with Janelle Monet has introduced her to new audiences and raised her profile. However, she first broke through with Mama’s Gun and Didn’t Cha Know.

The track is a great mix of hip hop, smooth jazz and 90s R&B. It’s like a jam with Dilla, John Coltrane and TLC, but produced by Jimmy Jam. This combination of structured 4/4 beats with more other worldly free flow jazz works extremely well and gives the track a comforting and grounded feel. The bass and the snare give off big jazz vibes, while the bongos in the background harken to those Mother Earth vibes I was talking about earlier. The composition is not overly complex, but it is the mix of hip hop with jazz tropes that really sets this track apart from other songs in 2000. Prior to Mama’s Gun, Digable Planets took jazz fusion to 11 on their highly successful record Reachin’ (A New Refutation on Time and Space). The music is a perfect match for Badu’s vocals, which we will talk about next.

The track itself is about losing your way and trying to navigate the world. Badu sings about how when you are lost it is love that will show you where to go and set you free. This vibe suits the cosmic / Mother Earth vibe of the entire song. Badu’s vocals are a magic potion of smooth jazz licks and her occasional telltale snarl. You can listen to this track and drift off to a land of big purple flowers, fairies and tons of marijuana. While some of Badu’s tracks tackle topics of gender, sexuality and race, this track is more of a vibe…and I am here for it.

This was Badu’s second record in 2000 and laid the groundwork for one of the most groundbreaking records of all time, which was New Amerykah Part 1 in 2008. It shows an artist continuing to evolve and experiment as she refines her sound. Badu will continue to innovate and experiment throughout her career, which is what helps her continue to remain relevant. Didn’t Cha Know is not only a great introduction to Badu’s work, but it also showcases an artist on the rise.

Listen to Didn’t Cha Know