The “Badu Presents: Echos 19” concert was a free live-streamed event on Prime Video and Twitch as part of Amazon Music’s “Forever in Rotation” series, which celebrates culture-shifting artists for Black Music Month. On June 19, the Queen of Neo-Soul took to the stage at The Bomb Factory, along with Dallas rapper Tye Harris, to gift a conscious stream of anthems, set perfectly for a day honoring freedom and progression.
Cascading lights bathed the crowd, as eager guests peered over the landings in anticipation of Erykah Badu. Echos chanting “Erykah” from the floor level could be heard as the crowd looked ahead, waiting for what was to come. Dressed in a simple black suit and illuminated by light, Tye Harris, known in local rap circles as T.Y.E., eased humbly behind a piano and took a seat. Just a man and his piano — and bar after bar, began painting the picture of stories resonant with Black culture.
It was storytelling at its finest, as Harris melodically drew the audience in. “What you know about Lone Star cards, syrup sandwiches from Sack-n-Save,” he rapped ferociously, artfully weaving in Dallas references into the fabric of unapologetic Blackness. He set the stage for what would be a thought-provoking and rhythmic journey for the Juneteenth celebration.
A brief pause took over Harris as he opened. “We’re in Deep Ellum,” he said. “I feel like down the street is a little place…well, maybe ya’ll will understand this…” The keys struck the chords for “Southside Da Realist,” and the crowd went wild. A remixed homage to Oak Cliff and South Dallas, the rising musician let everyone know — even those on the global stream — where he was from.
Slowing down, T.Y.E. showcased ethereal skills on the keys, while his operatic vibrato sang of Black identity and the myth of Black inferiority, encouraging the audience that despite it all, they are stars. “One day they’ll see you for who you are, and that’s a star,” he crooned soulfully in a beautiful gesture of baritone vibration. “C’mon keys!” a woman screamed in the audience. As Harris ended the set with an upbeat, conscious remix to C-Murder’s “Down for My N's,” he was met with roaring applause.
Tye Harris performing "Food Stamp Baby" and a remix of Big Tuck's "Southside Da Realist."
Vera "Velma" Hernandez
As if in a journey from the past, present and now to the post-emancipation future, a beep began to fill the air. Two stained-glass chapel windows aligned both sides of the stage, as a large pipe organ came into view. Otherworldly sounds enveloped the air as band members appeared one by one in futuristic-inspired apparel and headpieces, staying true to Badu’s fashion.
Transporting the audience to an Afro-futuristic Badu-world, Erykah — adorned in a cape, ultra-modern shades and her signature grill — opened the set with her new song “Echos 19 (mix 122),” singing of culturally resonant themes of religion, equality, unity and love. “After everything, we’re all the same,” she sang. “All under the same constitution, same pollution, same confusion, same institution, same simulation…” In honor of Juneteenth, it became crystal clear that Erykah had something to say. The cape dropped as the band intro’d “The Healer,” and Badu wished the crowd a Happy Juneteenth. “I’ve been celebrating Juneteenth all of my life,” she said adamantly. “Because I’m from the South! We gonna do it in tandem with the nations.”
The crowd exploded with applause. Remixing “The Healer” with African twists of percussion and drums, the multi-hyphenate artist gave repeated nods to her ancestry.
In an unapologetic love story to Dallas and Texas, Badu transitioned the set by having the crowd sing “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” to let the worldwide audience know where her heart resides. “On and On” followed, with the crowd swaying, snapping and singing along. Dropping yet another layer of clothing, Badu revealed a vintage AC/DC t-shirt, black lounge pants, and in an ode to hip-hop, when she belted “Love of My Life.”
The neo-soul artist continued to journey through her hits, including “Appletree” and an impromptu crowd sing-along to “Window Seat.” True Badu fans were undoubtedly in the building, even mimicking her classic poses she traditionally displays after every song.
Noting that it was the 25th anniversary of her second studio album Mama’s Gun, Badu joked, “Let me try to sing it like I did 25 years ago.” The bass guitar revved up, and “Didn’t Cha Know” took flight. Couples grooved together, while the audience sang the lyrics loud and proud — as if savoring every note, every chord and every moment. A prism of lights appeared mid-stage as if encasing the award-winning artist in an angelic halo of freedom.
In a heroic display of hope, Badu ended with, “Dallas…believe in yourself right from the start. Believe in the magic that’s inside your heart. Just believe in yourself, as I believe in you.” Confetti burst into the air as she gave her final bow, wished the crowd a Happy Juneteenth, and encouraged everyone to stream her new single with The Alchemist, entitled “Next to You,” that introduced Abi & Alan.
This is the first song from her upcoming album in collaboration with The Alchemist, which is slated for a future release. It will mark her first studio album after 15 years. The audience response at The Bomb Factory and online suggests that we can hardly wait.
Badu Presents: Echos 19 Setlist
"Echos 19"
"The Healer"
"On & On"
"Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)"
"Appletree"
"Time’s a Wastin"
"Window Seat"
"Didn't Cha Know"
"Next to You"
See more photos from Thursday's show below:
