I consider my musical ability to be a gift from the Creator. It's not that I try to work hard or nothing like that, it's a gift, it was given to me, and I appreciate it.

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By the age of 14 Erykah was free-styling for a local radio station alongside such talent as Roy Hargrove. Erykah Badu performed at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans the weekend before Halloween 2008. Her work includes elements from R&B hip hop and jazz.

For her musical sensibilities Erykah Badu has often been compared[by whom?] to jazz great Billie Holiday. Erica Abi Wright (born February 26 1971) better known by her stage name Erykah Badu /ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/ is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter record producer activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B hip hop and jazz.