Time is an illusion. How can it possibly be that Erykah Badu’s seminal sophomore album, Mama’s Gun, was released over two decades ago when it sounds as fresh and futuristic as ever?
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the second night of a pair of The Return of Automatic Slim Tour stops in Chicago, Badu celebrated the 25th anniversary of Mama’s Gun with a spellbinding performance at The Chicago Theatre that left fans examining the nature of time, pondering existential questions about life itself, and having a damn good time.
Badu’s spectacular band took the stage a little after 9:30 p.m. and treated the packed venue to a mostly instrumental jam with jazzy keys and an excellent bass solo that foreshadowed the care and complexity that would be found throughout the show. The Neo-Soul legend stepped into the spotlight around 10 and went on to prove that this performance would most-certainly be worth the wait.
The set began in earnest just as the album does with “Penitentiary Philosophy,” “Didn’t Cha Know,” and the striding “My Life.” By the time Badu launched into “…& On” fans were either on their feet or grooving in their seat, singing all the while. A magical moment arrived when Badu added a short tag of Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” at the end of “Cleva” and her vocals were downright stunning throughout “Hey Sugah.”
“Mama’s Gun‘s 25. Can you believe it, 25 years already? Time goes fast, Chicago…Yesterday, I was 25. In February, I’ll be 55,” Badu said to enthusiastic cheers mid-set. “I’m so happy to be here with you. I am.”
Before leading an especially funky rendition of the fan favorite “Kiss Me On My Neck,” Badu quite literally entered a new dimension. She stepped down from the platform where she spent the first portion of the show and approached a smoke-filled light-bean that seemed to shock her whenever she came near it. After a few attempts, Badu blasted through all obstacles to land at the lip of the stage, getting even closer to fans in the front. A wardrobe change completed the chapter and ushered in a more playful vibe rooted in artistry and intellect.
The bulk of the night was dedicated to Mama’s Gun, but Badu also took time out to treat fans to a few other live performance gems. “Annie (Don’t Wear No Panties)” was funky and somewhat festive given the time of year paired with the lyrical mention of Santa Claus. Elsewhere, the spoken word piece “Black Box” examined the power dynamic at hand, and in our hands, as the societal reliance on cellphones seems to signal the dawning of the singularity.
A stripped-down performance of “A.D. 2000,” featuring a solo Badu and her acoustic guitar, and “Booty” were further highlights of the setlist.
Badu has always been a singular artist. Someone who references the past to create timeless art that impacts and inspires generation after generation. No matter when you first listened to Mama’s Gun, the experience is transformative. And if you have yet to give the album a spin, well, you my friend are in for a treat.
Check out photos from Erykah Badu’s Dec. 3 show in Chicago below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information can be found at Erykahbadu.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
