Though I am beginning to digest Erykah’s video for myself, what I’m still trying to understand is the media’s response to the music video. When paired with the video, the lyrics take on a meaning of desiring a sense of belonging to the greater society, while still wanting to experience freedom. The next time we see Erykah, she is still naked, but now wears long beaded braids– bangs included– and a confident smile. When she is completely naked, and most visibly different from everyone else, she is shot dead. She blends in with the crowd… until she begins to undress.Īs soon as she takes off her white T-shirt, we see the word ‘EVOLVING’ written on her back, reminding us viewers that titillation is not an appropriate response to her uncovering.Īs Erykah continues to undress, the camera zooms out and we see the impromptu audience staring at her, thus emphasizing that she no longer belongs in this flock. Her hair, which is usually fashioned in an outa-sight-afro or brightly colored hair wrap, is covered in a black ‘cap.’ She is nothing special to look at. Instead, she is wearing a black peacoat with a purple hoody peeking from the top, a white T-shirt, and black sweats.
When we first see Erykah, she is not in her usual ‘Spiritual Mama’ attire. The video begins with an old recording announcing the arrival of John F.Kennedy the day he was assinated (the video was also shot in the same location of Kennedy’s assassination). The song itself is a bit dull and generic, but when used as a soundtrack for the music video, it boldly speaks to the issue of losing one’s individuality, or one’s artistry, in the business of flocking, or going with the crowd. Since then, I’ve considered the lyrics of the song in connection to the video, and I feel like I see where Erykah is going with this… kinda. I love me some Erykah, and I was excited that she was coming out with something new, but, initially, I was not seeing eye-to-eye with her latest creation. To be honest, I needed some time for the video to marinate with me. We’ve now had almost 2 months to digest Erykah Badu’s controversial music video for ‘Window Seat,’ and I’m wondering what you think about it. And as long as they are talking about it, we know that they are being exposed to it… All I know is the Dallas chief of the police went to the record store last week and bought my album.” In response to the controversy, Erykah said “I just wanted to bring dialogue to it.
Erykah has been fined $500 for this misdemeanor. After the video was released, Texan officials allegedly received an overwhelming amount of complaints about Erykah stripping down in the middle of a public space.
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