Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in her hometown; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Records.

The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[2] Badu's second studio album, Mama's Gun, was released on October 31, 2000.

[2] Badu's fourth studio album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008.

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) was released in 2010 and fared well both critically and commercially.