Mainetain for Got Soul Sessions In celebration of their 20 year anniversary, Houston’s Imani School held a benefit concert on March 6th, featuring none other than Grammy award-winning songstress, Erykah Badu.
Badu returned to Houston’s Arena Theatre to support the Imani School, which she revealed is the sister school of where her children attend. Erykah Badu is well known especially in native Dallas for giving back to the community as her non profit organization B.L.I.N.D (Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development) was established in 1997.
Opening the show was The Imani School Student Jazz Ensemble performing several skillful renditions of jazz classics. Local Houston band, Neon Collars followed with their funk, rock and jazz influenced style. Lead vocalist, Franchelle Lucas revealed that she attended the Imani School and affirmed their commitment to excellence in education. With anticipation successfully built, Badu’s band finally graced the stage. They continued to entice the crowd with a mellow instrumental, which would accompany Badu’s entrance.
Badu strutted to the stage donned in a grey skirt suit and top hat to match with lit incense dangling from her mouth. She looked amazing considering she just gave birth to her daughter on February 1st. Badu began with her hip hop anthem, “The Healer” from her New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War released last Feb. The band then went into the hip hop classic Top Billing before skillfully blending in On and On, followed by "I Want You." Badu tapped out the beat of "Apple Tree" on her drum machine and the band chimed in and picked up the tempo. During “Didn’t Cha Know” Badu asked the audience, Houston Y'all Alright?” She added that she was honored the Imani School invited her to perform and was glad to help. She continued with "Didn’t Ya Know" and then went into a couple verses of “Believe in Yourself” from The Whiz.
Picking up the pace she asked if she could go back and proceeded into the lyrics of “Rapper’s Delight”, Whodini’s, “Friends” and Doug E. Fresh’s “La Di Da Di” with the audience singing along. Badu and her background singers danced in tune to the music and she playfully swayed and patted her hip noting, “that’s the baby weight.” She openly talked about as she had gotten older her body had gone through changes and she needed to sit down for a moment and take off her shoes.
As she went into “Back in the day” several fans approached the stage to take pictures only to be pushed back by security. Noticing the slight skirmish Badu stopped in the middle of the song, “They ain’t trying to hurt nobody. Let my people free. “ The remaining fans quickly took their pictures and returned to their seats. She continued with “Other side of the Game” and a playful “ Tyrone.”
Badu concluded her performance by dedicating “Soldier” to all the soldiers out there fighting for us. Before ending the song she explained the title of her current album and forthcoming, 4th World War, which was based on a documentary she watched about conflicts of citizens and the government internationally. She was moved by how the people stood together and peacefully fought to save their homes and land. She left the stage thanking the Imani School and reminding us how important children’s education is there is power in the people and together we can accomplish anything.
