Erykah is the chosen-name respelling of Erica — from the Old Norse *Eiríkr*, ein (one, alone) + ríkr (ruler) — "ever-ruler." **Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright, 1971)** — **American singer, songwriter, and record producer often called the "Queen of Neo-Soul"; her 1997 debut album *Baduizm* won the Grammy for Best R&B Album and *On & On* won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance**. **Five Grammy Awards total**. **"Tyrone" (1997), "Bag Lady" (2000 — her only #1 R&B single), "Window Seat" (2010), "On & On"**. **Founded the Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.) for inner-city Dallas youth**. **Mother of three by Andre 3000 (OutKast), Common, and Jay Electronica — all major hip-hop artists**. **The 2010 *Window Seat* music video, shot guerrilla-style in downtown Dallas without a permit, ended with her stripping nude at the JFK assassination site — a tribute to JFK that drew a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge**.
Subject of countless American neo-soul histories.
Erykah reduces to five — the number of neo-soul queen.