GQ Germany unveiled Erykah Badu as one of the cover stars for its 2023 Men Of The Year issue and social media is tussling with reactions. Erykah Badu, the iconic singer and pioneer of the Neo-soul genre, has been hailed as GQ Germany’s Music Icon of the Year in their prestigious 2023 Men of the Year Issue. Known for her otherworldly presence and groundbreaking contributions to music, Badu adorns the cover in a departure from her usual vibrant attire, opting for a muted look that accentuates her hazel eyes, plump lips, and overall radiant visage.
GQ Germany unveiled Erykah Badu as one of the cover stars for its 2023 Men Of The Year issue and social media is tussling with reactions.“I helped introduce them. I was the first in my genre. There was no genre until the name Neo-Soul was created for the album ‘Baduizm’ because no one could categorize what I was doing. I drilled a hole in the dam, so to speak, and all the like-minded frequencies flowed through it. It’s a formula that others can use,” she shared with the publication.
The announcement was made through a collaborative post on GQ Germany’s Instagram, showcasing the cover and captioning it, “We present our third #GQMOTY cover star and our ‘Music Icon Of The Year’: @ErykahBadu. She rearranged the music scene in the 1990s. Their sensitive blend of soul, jazz, R&B and hip-hop, their inimitable clothing style is more relevant today than ever. Four-time #Grammy winner Erykah Badu talks to us about the power of words, vintage fashion, cars, and inner peace – see the full cover story via link in bio.”
Badu discusses her breakthrough position in the music industry, notably in the 1990s when she introduced the world to Neo-soul, a unique blend of R&B, jazz, and soul.
Badu discusses her unique strategy to navigating the entertainment industry as a woman in a male-dominated field in the interview. She gave thoughtful answers when asked about her experience.
“I didn’t know I was a woman. I grew up in a community of people and went to art school to dance. In the art school, everyone is non-binary. We are simply human beings. We are creators. I learned that I am a woman after I came into the music industry. There are a few unspoken rules regarding producers and production,” Badu asserted
She added, “If you don’t know all the technology and production terms, your ideas won’t be considered. This applies to women and men. Through the door. Without speaking their language. I communicated with colors, noises, and clues. My vision. Yes, I hear that. No wasn’t acceptable. Because I didn’t let myself be boxed in, I didn’t struggle as a woman in the industry.”
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