Live (Erykah Badu album)

After she signed to Universal Records, Badu released her debut studio album Baduizm, in early 1997. The album was met with critical and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard charts and number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.^[1][2] Baduizm's commercial and critical success helped establish Badu as one of the emerging neo soul genre's leading artists.^[3] Her particular style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday.^[4] Baduizm was certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and the Canadian Recording Industry Association. ^{[5] [6] [7]} Badu recorded the live album while pregnant with son Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with his birth.^[8]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Entertainment Weekly	B+[9]
Los Angeles Times	favorable[10]
Rhapsody	favorable link
Robert Christgau	link
Rolling Stone	link
Uncut	[11]

Upon release Live was met with acclaim from music critics. Leo Stanley of Allmusic praised Badu's decision to release a live album so shortly after releasing her debut: "Not only does it illustrate the depths of Badu's talents, but Live is as strong and captivating as Baduizm."^[12] A reviewer of Entertainment Weekly praised the album's jazz influenced sounds, calling the album "sassy" and "relaxed".^[9]

The album was released on November 18, 1997, and reached number four on the US Billboard 200 ^[13] and number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.^[14][15] The album was certified two times platinum by RIAA for shipments of over two million copies.^[5]

1. "Rimshot (Intro)" (Erykah Badu, Madukwu Chinwah, Miles Davis) – 3:50
2. "Otherside of the Game" (Badu, Bro.Questlove, Richard Nichols, James Poyser, The Roots) – 8:21
3. "On & On" (Badu, Jaborn Jamal) – 5:30
4. "Reprise" – 2:15
5. "Appletree" (Badu, Robert Bradford) – 4:04
6. "Ye Yo" (Badu) – 4:59
7. "Searching" (Roy Ayers) – 4:18
8. "Boogie Nights/All Night" (James A. Johnson, Rodney L. Temperton) – 6:28
9. "Certainly" (Badu, Chinwah) – 6:58
10. "Stay" (Rufus, Richard Calhoun, Chaka Khan) – 4:50
11. "Next Lifetime (Interlude)" (Badu, Tone The Backbone [Anthony Scott]) – 1:30
12. "Tyrone" (Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt) – 3:41
13. "Next Lifetime" (Badu, Tone the Backbone [Anthony Scott]) – 12:07
14. "Tyrone" [Extended Version] (Badu, Hurt) – 5:45

• Erykah Badu – vocals
• Charles "Poogie" Bell Jr. – drums
• Karen Bernod – background vocals
• Hubert Eaves IV – bass
• Norman "Keys" Hurt – keyboard
• N'dambi – background vocals
• Joyce M. Strong – background vocals

• Producers: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt
• Executive producers: Erykah Badu, Kedar Massenburg
• Engineers: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt, Gorden Mack, Kenny Ortíz
• Mixing: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt, Gorden Mack, Kenny Ortíz
• Mastering: Tom Coyne
• Art direction: D. Simmons, M. Warlow
• Cover art concept: Erykah Badu, Clymenza Hawkins
• Design: P. Geczik, Lance Ong
• Layout design: P. Geczik
• Photography: Imari Dusauzay, Imari Dusauzay
• Artwork: P. Geczik, Lance Ong