Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress.

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Influenced by R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop, Badu became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s and 2000s along with artists such as D'Angelo and Maxwell.

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Erykahs voice has been compared to jazz singer Billie Holiday. Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for her eccentric style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps.

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She was a core member of the Soulquarians.

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As an actress, she has played a number of supporting roles in movies including Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D.

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She also has appeared in the documentaries Before the Music Dies and The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975.

Born: 26 February 1971