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Her records have won her much praise in the music industry, but Erykah Badu insists her greatest award to date is, by far, motherhood. “I’m a mommy first,” she tells MTV of finding a balance as a working parent.
Making true on her promise, Erykah has settled her family in Texas, where she and her brood — Seven Sirius, 12, Puma Sabti, 5 ½, and Mars Merkaba, 1 — can often be spotted out buying groceries.
“I do it all the time,” she says of her errand runs. “I live in Dallas so I don’t have a lot of distractions.”
However, the line between her career and her family isn’t clear-cut; Over the years the songstress has continued to merge her two greatest passions — her children and her music — in the studio. The result? Erykah’s fifth album New Amerykah, Part Two: Return of the Ankh, is a true family affair.
Noting that her family “do all kinds of things,” including her sister on background vocals, her brother accompanying her on the road and her mother’s advice of “mostly what not to do,” Erykah reveals that her children are in on the action as well.
“If [Mars] bobs her head [to one of my songs], I know it’s the joint,” she says. “Puma sings with me; she’ll be on the album.” And while her son’s involvement may be a bit more understated, Erykah laughs that his encouragement often comes in the subtlest of forms.
“Seven is a lot like Andre 3000, his father. If he gives the nod of approval, then I know it’s the joint.”
Her family’s support is important for Erykah, as the 38-year-old is quick to point out she has been blessed with an unstoppable entourage.
“I got the Partridge Family. I got the hip-hop Incredibles.”
New Amerykah, Part Two: Return of the Ankh hits stores March 30th. Puma is Erykah’s daughter with The D.O.C., while Mars is her daughter with Jay Electronica.
Source: MTV
– Anya