Erykah Badu's "The Return of Automatic Slim Tour" kicked off in Detroit at the iconic Fox Theatre, celebrating the 25th anniversary of her classic album 'Mama's Gun'. As she emerged onto the stage, bathed in red lights and an oversized hat and golden cape, it was clear this was going to be a night to remember.
The legendary singer delivered a soulful, jazzy performance that was equal parts spiritual and playful. While her show is often compared to Beyoncé's theatrical productions, Badu's raw energy and charisma make for an electric evening. The highlight of the show came when she belted out "Penitentiary Philosophy", leaving the audience in awe.
Badu's stage presence is as potent as ever, with a quick wit that had the crowd in stitches during her banter. When she told a cameraman to get out of her way, only to be met with an awkward silence, it was clear this woman is not afraid to speak her mind. The real showstopper came when she stripped down to her underwear for "Annie (Don't Wear No Panties)", sending the crowd into raptures.
Throughout the evening, Badu paid homage to Detroit's rich musical history, name-checking Motown legends Berry Gordy and J Dilla, who produced tracks on 'Mama's Gun'. She even gave a cheeky dig at the city's notorious reputation for thieves, quipping "home of the killers... motherfucking stealers". It was clear this wasn't meant to be taken seriously – just a playful nod to Detroit's complex history.
One moment that stood out was when Badu treated the crowd to an impromptu rendition of "Tyrone", despite one heckler's attempt to spoil it. Her sass was on full display as she told the poor soul they'd gotten their song mixed up, only to give in and perform a flawless version anyway.
Ultimately, it was the love ballad "Green Eyes" that closed out the show, an emotional showcase of Badu's incredible vocal range. As she crawled back through her portal and left the crowd to ponder her message, the words "Fuck You" flashed on stage – a defiant declaration from a woman who knows how to live life on her own terms.
That's what makes Erykah Badu so compelling – her unwavering confidence, unapologetic sass, and an uncompromising commitment to artistic expression. This is a performer who lives by the mantra "I don't give a fuck", and it's this very freedom that makes her music and performances feel like an experiment in pure creativity.
As we left the Fox Theatre, our hearts still buzzing from Badu's electrifying performance, one thing was clear: this is why we love Erykah Badu – she is unapologetically herself, a true original who continues to inspire with every note, word, and sassy remark.
The legendary singer delivered a soulful, jazzy performance that was equal parts spiritual and playful. While her show is often compared to Beyoncé's theatrical productions, Badu's raw energy and charisma make for an electric evening. The highlight of the show came when she belted out "Penitentiary Philosophy", leaving the audience in awe.
Badu's stage presence is as potent as ever, with a quick wit that had the crowd in stitches during her banter. When she told a cameraman to get out of her way, only to be met with an awkward silence, it was clear this woman is not afraid to speak her mind. The real showstopper came when she stripped down to her underwear for "Annie (Don't Wear No Panties)", sending the crowd into raptures.
Throughout the evening, Badu paid homage to Detroit's rich musical history, name-checking Motown legends Berry Gordy and J Dilla, who produced tracks on 'Mama's Gun'. She even gave a cheeky dig at the city's notorious reputation for thieves, quipping "home of the killers... motherfucking stealers". It was clear this wasn't meant to be taken seriously – just a playful nod to Detroit's complex history.
One moment that stood out was when Badu treated the crowd to an impromptu rendition of "Tyrone", despite one heckler's attempt to spoil it. Her sass was on full display as she told the poor soul they'd gotten their song mixed up, only to give in and perform a flawless version anyway.
Ultimately, it was the love ballad "Green Eyes" that closed out the show, an emotional showcase of Badu's incredible vocal range. As she crawled back through her portal and left the crowd to ponder her message, the words "Fuck You" flashed on stage – a defiant declaration from a woman who knows how to live life on her own terms.
That's what makes Erykah Badu so compelling – her unwavering confidence, unapologetic sass, and an uncompromising commitment to artistic expression. This is a performer who lives by the mantra "I don't give a fuck", and it's this very freedom that makes her music and performances feel like an experiment in pure creativity.
As we left the Fox Theatre, our hearts still buzzing from Badu's electrifying performance, one thing was clear: this is why we love Erykah Badu – she is unapologetically herself, a true original who continues to inspire with every note, word, and sassy remark.
! Her stage presence is still giving me LIFE 
- she's got that raw energy and charisma that just makes you wanna move your body 
. I love how she mixed soul and jazz with a modern twist - it was like nothing I've seen before 
. And can we talk about her confidence? She owned that stage, unapologetically slaying every song 
! The way she played to Detroit's musical history was so cool, giving props to Berry Gordy and J Dilla 
. And that sass? 
it was EVERYTHING 
. If you haven't seen @ErykahBadu live yet, get ready for an experience like no other - trust me, it's worth the hype 
! #ErykahBaduForever #TheReturnOfAutomaticSlimTour #MusicToMyEars
. Her whole "unapologetic sass" thing just comes off as try-hard and pretentious. I mean, who needs to wear their underwear on stage or tell people to get out of their way? It's just a bunch of attention-seeking drama 
. And don't even get me started on the "Fuck You" message at the end - what a total cop-out 
. She thinks she's making some kind of statement by being defiant and unapologetic, but really she's just coming off as entitled and petulant 
her live show at the Fox Theatre was EVERYTHING!!! 
she's got this raw energy & charisma that just draws u in & makes u wanna vibe with her 24/7 
i loved how she paid homage to detroit's musical history & name-dropped some iconic legends like Berry Gordy & J Dilla 
what really stood out 2 me was when she killed "Penitentiary Philosophy" 
& just completely let loose on stage. btw, who else but Erykah Badu would get away w/ stripping down to undies mid-performance 
She's truly one of the most captivating performers out there - she knows how to command a room with confidence and sass 
. What I love about her music is it's not just about the hits, but also about sharing a piece of herself and her experiences with us. And that red carpet entrance was EVERYTHING 
I mean, Erykah Badu is honestly the ultimate icon - her stage presence is like WHOA! 
and I think what makes her music so special is the way it's both spiritual and playful at the same time. It's like she's saying, "I'm a woman of faith, but also I love to have fun". I'm here for that kind of confidence and sass! 
. It's clear she's not afraid to speak her mind and be herself, even if that means a little bit of sass 
. I also loved how she paid homage to Detroit's musical history - it was such a cool touch 
.
. And that impromptu rendition of "Tyrone" was amazing - I mean, who needs hecklers when you've got Erykah Badu on stage? 
. i love how she name drops detroit legends and gives a cheeky nod to the city's history, but also doesn't take herself too seriously - that's what makes her so relatable & fun 
. Erykah Badu is def one of the most inspiring performers out there - she's unapologetically herself and it's infectious 
her performance was a true celebration of artistry and creativity, and I'm so grateful she's still out there doing what she does best - making magic happen! 
. Her performance was so soulful and jazzy, it's like she was channeling her inner diva 
, but in a playful way, obvs 
. And "Green Eyes" at the end? Chills 
. I think that's what makes Erykah Badu so compelling – she's unapologetically herself and living life on her own terms 
. We need more artists like her who are true originals and aren't afraid to speak their minds 
.
and don't even get me started on her sass - that woman can roast with the best of them 
the way she stripped down and got the crowd going wild was pure magic