Erykah Badu's Dope Album Cover And More

I know this came out a few days back, but I've been away. Anyway, here is Ms. Badu's ill cover [via okayplayer] from her upcoming album New AmErykah designed by this dope artist Emek. I mean, the cover alone is worth the purchase. (I can't wait to "comb" through the picture and analyze each of the images, which without a doubt will resonate all the more given the political climate of the country.)

Her album drops Feb. 26 and I am definitely looking for this one. It's been too long and although Baduizm, Mama's Gun and Worldwide Underground remain timeless classics, I do want to see what Ms. Badu has been cooking up. And judging from the new track that hit the internet produced by Madlib called The Healer, it definitely sounds like she's turned her back on the mainstream completely and I am anxious to experience the end result. But that's not all Badu has coming this year, according to this article from the Jamaica Observer.

"I have three albums coming out this year, the first one will be released on February 26 (her birthday) and it's gonna be called New Amerykah," Badu says, adding that the next, Return Of The Ankh is scheduled for a July release.

"The other one's gonna be called New Amerykah II and it's gonna be a totally digital experience."

Removing an ebony puff of her larger-than-life afro from her face, Badu explains the meaning of "totally digital experience".

"You'll purchase (instead of a CD) a USB stick, each will come with a specific code that you punch in. That way you'll get to upload a new song every month for the next 10 months."

Her digital ideas, however, don't stop there!

"I'll also be starting a magazine called Freaq, it's gonna be dedicated to arts, politics, beauty, fashion, photography and technology," shares the 36-year-old, adding that she also manages her own Myspace page.

Badu, who has done some acting and directing as well, sees branching out as a chance to ensure that artistes like her are well represented in the entertainment industry.Still, she is somewhat peeved about the neo-soul labelling she has received over the years.

"I don't even know what that term means, I mean, I know what the individual words mean but together?" Badu says, explaining that Kedar Massenburg of Universal Records had ascribed the name to the type of sound she and fellow singer D'Angelo employed when they were still burgeoning artistes.

"I guess to Kedar it was a new wave of underground sound. I don't reject it, but I feel like it's just one part of me and my music."

While she doesn't completely reject the neo-soul categorisation, she rejects the view that hip hop is dead.

"Hip Hop lives because people live, it's more than just music, it's a lifestyle," she says, "you,re looking at a product of rhymes and beats; boom boxes and headphones; break dancing and graffiti. I'm from that tribe. Maybe what they mean is that it has become boring and [unimaginative] but it's alive in the people."