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Home · News

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu

By · Updated October 29, 2020
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Nice, FRANCE: US singer Erikah Badu performs during the opening of the Nice Jazz Festival, 19 July 2006 in the Gardens Cimiez in Nice.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Erykah Badu attends the 5th Annual ‘Game Over’ Party at the House of Hennessy on February 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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SAN BERNARDINO, CA – OCTOBER 16: Erykah Badu performs at the Cypress Hill Smokeout 2010 at NOS event center on October 16, 2010 in San Bernardino, California.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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NEW YORK – OCTOBER 14: Erykah Badu attends the 2010 Hennessy Artistry concert series at Cipriani Wall Street on October 14, 2010 in New York City.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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CHICAGO – AUGUST 08: Erykah Badu performs during the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Grant Park on August 8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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NEW YORK – MARCH 29: Erykah Badu visits BET’s ‘106 & Park’ at BET Studios on March 29, 2010 in New York City.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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MANCHESTER, TN – JUNE 14: Erykah Badu performs during the 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 14, 2009 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES – APRIL 25: Erykah Badu performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 25, 2009.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Singer Erykah Badu attends the 3rd Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards at Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 2, 2008 in New York City.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY31: Erykah Badu, singer and special guest of My Morning Jacket performs on their tour, My Morning Jacket ‘Unstaged: An Original Series From American Express, in Partnership with VEVO and YouTube’ at the Louisville Palace Theatre on May 31, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 18: Erykah Badu poses for a portrait backstage at the Fader Fort by Fiat during the 2011 SXSW Music Festival on March 18, 2011 in Austin, Texas.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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1998, Wrap Star

When Erykah Badu first blazed onto the music scene in ‘96, she was instantly crowned the queen of the neo-soul bohemian movement—and her hair, swept up into the endless folds of a mile-high headwrap, was instantly deemed iconic. We all thought the wrap was going to be Badu’s signature look, but the boho-bluesy songstress kept us guessing with a parade of afros, braids, dreadlocks and, in one memorable case, a 1960s Supreme-esque wig. In celebration of Badu’s fifth studio album, “New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh” (in stores next month), let’s take a look back at Badu’s hairstyle evolution since her early incense-waving, tea-sipping, Tyrone-calling days as a music industry newcomer.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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1999, High Hair

At the ’99 Grammy Awards, Badu hit the red carpet with a new twist on her famous wrap—she left the top open, giving us a peek at her dreadlocks.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2000, Haute Hat

In 2000, Erykah Badu paired a Southern belle straw hat with glossy, chest-length dreadlock extensions.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2001, Bald Beauty

In 2001 Grammy’s, Badu made headlines with her gorgeous shaved head and tribal-chic yellow makeup. One of her most striking looks!

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2002, Green Day

Badu had a Pocahontas moment at the 2002 Grammys, where she sported mile-long micro-braid extensions with green accents. Love the metallic headband!

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2003, Fabulous ‘Fro

At a 2003 photo shoot, Badu paired a striking, full afro with a fresh face of tawny-toned makeup.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
18
2005, Bush Woman

In 2005 Luther Vandross tribute concert, Erykah wore a modified afro with freshly unwrapped double-strand twists.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2006, Heat Wave

Erykah Badu hit the “Dave Chapelle Block Party” premiere wearing carefully molded flapper waves topped off by a striped newsboy cap.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2006, Mohawk Mama

Badu brought down the house at the North Sea Jazz Festival with her searing song selection and her tough girl style: Shades, leather, and a fab little faux-hawk.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2007, So Supreme

Badu was enjoying a retro ’60s moment here, with her cat eye glasses, polkadot blouse and Supremes-era bouffant wig.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
22
2008, Smiley Face

At the Austin City Limits Festival, Erykah rocked the mic wearing a frizzy-in-a-cute-way, shoulder length look.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
23
2009, Red Alert

Badu kept it short, sweet, and sleek while onstage at the Bonnarroo Music Art and Festival.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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2009, Mane Event

At an event at the Hollywood Palladium, Badu paired her chic little ’fro with all-eye-on-me fuschia eyeshadow.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
25
2010, Going Platinum

Erykah Badu has always kept us guessing with her collection of deliciously out-there coifs, but her new ‘do might take the cake. The singer debuted a show-stopping, platinum blonde faux-hawk at the 2010 Lollapalooza festival. It took us a minute (platinum is so…vivid), but we’re loving Badu’s retro-punky new look.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
26
2011: Boho Beauty

Erykah Badu’s gilded, two-strand headband perfectly compliments her hippie chic locks.

Hairstyle File: Erykah Badu
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