Thirty-six minutes or so after Westside Gunn commanded everybody with a “clean pu**y” scream, Erykah Badu arrived on stage.
A sold-out audience invaded the Hollywood Bowl on the first Friday of the month to bathe in a neo-soul soundscape under the enchanting moonlight. The affair kicked off The Return of Automatic Slim Tour, presented by the Dallas native to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her new-millennium release Mama’s Gun.
Although the show was opened by the Super Fly God himself, some attendees were clearly only seated for the headliner, side-eyeing the hyperbolic lyrics about cooking bricks and live wrestling stunts. Others were intrigued by the rap performance that showcased a consciousness different from the stream of knowledge layered in their favorite Badu tracks.
After about 35 minutes on stage, the Buffalo rapper gained new fans, satisfied the Griselda enthusiasts, and wrapped his set with gratitude for Erykah Badu, who later arrived (possibly a few minutes off-schedule but right on time).
The stage at the outdoor amphitheater went dark, signaling the start of the show. A red light centered on an elevated platform, and through a haze of smoke, the 54-year-old artist took her place. Dressed in a black hat with a red scarf underneath, her look was completed with a leather top and a billowing white skirt that maintained structure around her midsection.
A rim shot echoed, the lights turned blue, with turquoise effects that almost resembled raindrops, and the show officially began. Starting with “Penitentiary Philosophy,” the concert set out to run the entire Mama’s Gun, as the R&B singer intended the audience to listen.
For the next few tracks, she stood proudly, singing into the microphone with her signature, powerful vocals draped in syrupy mystique. A mouth full of gold reflected the spotlight as she smiled to the crowd, locking eyes with fans who sang along in awe.
As she moved into “Cleva,” which features the late Roy Ayers, it was clear that this opening night was a “you had to be there” kind of moment, even if she performed the same set at other tour dates. As the “alright” lyric repeated in the bridge, Badu transformed the Hollywood Bowl into a temporary sanctuary, interpolating Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers’ “Encourage Yourself’ into the soulful track.
Drum patterns that almost sounded tribal backed up Badu’s scatting, as the song moved to the next. “ Shoutout to motherfu**king” MF DOOM!” she declared, with another nod to Alchemist, who was in attendance. An on-stage change of clothes revealed the light brown fabric that peeked through her leather was actually an accentuating dress, accessorized with a red belt.
A free verse, spoken word took fans through a different portal, where she opined on the term “black box.” With everything from sexual references to social commentary, Badu described “this black box is a crack rock” while gently caressing the area below her waist. The moment was the perfect transition to “Booty,” which had been skipped earlier.
Ticketholders experienced live renditions of “Annie Don’t Wear No Panties” and got a taste of a track featuring Westside Gunn, which will likely (well, hopefully) be featured on her upcoming collaborative Abi & Alan album with Alchemist.
The “recovering undercover over lover” returned to the spotlight to finish unloading Mama’s Gun with “In Love With You” and “Orange Moon.” During “Bag Lady,” she gave a special moment to her “son” Durand Bernarr, her longtime backup singer and Grammy-nominated solo artist.
Badu then felt the spirit move her to an audience member named Vanessa, who was wearing a “beautiful” purple attire. Announcing that she had a special message for the selected guest, she broke out into “Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None)” by Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Warren G, and Kurupt, as the West Coast audience laughed and joined right in.
“Green Eyes” closed the concert, just as it closed the album, and while she did not deliver the entire 10-minute track, the standing ovation proved she brought everything the audience needed. As the stagehands began to transport instruments and equipment inside, thousands headed to their next destination, enlightened, empowered, and most importantly, entertained.
Erykah Badu at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards held at the American Museum of Natural History on October 28, 2024 in New York, New York.
Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty Images
Erykah Badu’s The Return of Automatic Slim opening night was the perfect reminder of not only her career longevity, musical gifts, and charismatic charm, but also the importance of prioritizing performance as art. The five-time Grammy winner intentionally used the stage to build her own universe, where listeners could find a home planet, whether they lean towards her lush, romantic poetry or the third-eye reflections in her lyrical candor.
It might be another 20 years before she takes on another anniversary tour. If that’s the case, catch her while you can.
