“People are uncomfortable with sexuality that’s not for male consumption.” – Erykah Badu
It has been a good four days since Erykah Badu dropped a bomb that has gone viral among the social media networks. The bomb happens to be a new video featuring the alternative rock band The Flaming Lips performing a cover of Roberta Flack’s classic hit “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” The video is very graphic showing teasing naked shots of Badu in a bathtub and her sister Nayrok in blunt nudity bathing in glitter and substances that are made to look like blood and semen.
The weekend release of the video made noise, but it still seemed relatively quiet in the internet streets as (I guess) folks were really outdoors taking in their weekend activities. Then Monday came and now today (it’s only Tuesday) and folks are talking feverishly (culture critics, journalists, the public) and reposting the link to the video everywhere.
I was going to let my two cents on the matter slide within my Facebook comments in response to what folks were saying on my page. I later took to my Tumblr to reiterate those points and leave it there. I was done on the matter. Yet, as people are still talking – including Miss. E. Badu who took to her Twitter yesterday and threw out critical thought questions to see how her fans and critics are thinking – I thought I’d repost my two cents here for you.
Side Bar: Since I can’t get my screen shots working properly, here are samples of what Badu tweeted.
@fatbellybella: The object of art is to invoke inspiration and create dialogue. To stimulate . Sometimes it can arouse hidden or upfront fears.
@fatbellybella: Official Flaming Lips Vid discussion. How does it make u feel? Astetically, What does it make u fear? Anger?Joy?Freedom?Disgust? Discuss.
@fatbellybella: What if the video has no meaning at all ? Now how do u feel? Re: flaming lips/ badu
As posted on my Tumblr blog, here are my thoughts….
Essence Magazine tweeted Demetria Lucas’ take on e. badu’s latest video for her cover of the Roberta Flack classic “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” Lucas basically expressed the same interpretation I have of it; to which I tried to explain to a few folks on Facebook the other night.
When I first viewed the video I immediately liked it. Yes it may be a bit freakish and scare you at first glance, but stop. Take a moment to take it all in and listen to the lyrics. I knew this type of video would not be some people’s cup of tea. I knew that as I went forth and posted it on my Facebook wall. As others began posting the video on Twitter and Facebook, I saw more people cry foul and detest it and less people actually praising it. My own sister-in-law called it demonic, but while respecting her opinion I had to tell her that I wouldn’t be so quick to call it such. Like Lucas, I’m not exactly sure the exact concept Badu was going for, but I know the presentation has something to do with the creation of life. My interpretation was more literal to the lyrics though;
The glitter = The stars and the moon she see’s in the guy’s eyes.
The red syrup (blood) = her heart/love that commands his presence
The glaze (semen) = their joy aka their future children that would be shared for the whole world to see and live on as a legacy.
Lucas’ interpretation of the video amid the critics;
It’s a little out there, no doubt, but I can’t fall in line with those outrageous claims because 1) there’s an artistic merit (even if I can’t yet figure out exactly what this art is trying to “say”); and 2) this charge is leveled at Black women by many other Black women every single time one of us decides to disrobe. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for a cause or to make a statement or just to celebrate the Black female form in all its sun-kissed, melanin-infused glory. Instances of Black female nudity always devolve into conversations about sex, slavery, strippers, shame… oh, and Venus Hottentot. It’s as if our unclothed forms can’t be somehow “just” artistic and beautiful like everyone else’s. We always add baggage and “stuff” and make it extra-complicated. – Demetria Lucas
As I just told someone a few minutes ago that also loves the video:
I mean yeah it shocked me at first sighting, but I took it all in, listened to the lyrics and believed that was the concept Badu was going for… creation of life via love. I think what’s hard for a lot of folks to digest is, not even the nudity, but the fact that she bathed in substances that were like blood and semen. Something that’s done on the inside of our bodies during conception was shown point blank out front in the open. A lot of folks can’t wrap their minds around that…I suppose.
Still…I understand if e. badu’s latest art isn’t your thing. It’s cool. I just wish folks were a bit more open instead of instantly calling her out as crazy, demonic or as some have badly joked “trying to stay relevant.” Or at least offer a more constructive critique than just calling her negative buzz words.
This video is mild compared to others I’ve seen that have tried to pass as art, and tip on the line of perhaps being too far gone. I think the symbols presented in this video were symbols of life…very natural.
If it’s not your thing. Cool.
Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River 
dancingpalmtrees
June 5, 2012
Once you described the video and what Badu does in it that made up my mind not to watch it. I’m a very conservative person when it comes to sex and this is not something I’d want to see. The whole thing sounds gross. Even though I work for a museum there are some exhibits there I consider pornographic and this sounds even worse. Ugh.
Shahidah
June 7, 2012
Hmmmm people have been in an uproar??? WTH have I been doing this week. First I heard of it. Haven’t watched the video but I think I know Badu and how she likes to shock. I find video by rappers totally disgusting but I do appreciate a good artistic one when they come around! I’ll check it out. Like the post!
mahoganie
June 7, 2012
There is an interesting update to this that I will post later.