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On & On
Erykah Badu
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- Album
- Baduizm
- Released
- 1997
- Genres
- neo soul, r&b, alternative r&b
- Length
- 3:46
- Tempo
- 80 BPM
- Label
- Universal Records
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About this song
Erykah Badu's debut single was a signature song of the Neo Soul era and showed a Billie Holiday influence in her vocal style. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and UK Singles charts, and earned a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1998. Its lyrical and melodic themes were continued on the track "...& On" on her follow-up album, Mama's Gun.
What it's about
The song references the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths, also known as the Five Percent Nation, including its theology of Supreme Mathematics.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 42 other songs, like “Multi-level by Privo Hun (Ft. Kizzy Mathewson)”.
- Covered 2 times, including “Lean On & On by Leo Kalyan”.
- Written by JaBorn Jamal and Erykah Badu.
- Produced by JaBorn Jamal and Bob Power.
- Recorded at Battery Studios (New York City).