Erykah Badu's "The Return of Automatic Slim Tour" stopped by Detroit's Fox Theatre for a night that was full of soul, sass, and more than a little bit of cheek. The iconic singer took to the stage, her towering frame radiating an otherworldly presence as she emerged from a halo of red light, resplendent in an oversized hat and floor-length golden cape.
The evening was a deeply personal exploration of music, spirituality, and self-love – not unlike a poetry slam that Badu is uniquely equipped to deliver. Her voice soared through the venue, conjuring chills with each note as she performed the entirety of her 1997 album "Mama's Gun." This wasn't your typical concert experience; instead, it was an immersive journey through sound and visuals that left the audience breathless.
Badu's banter with the crowd and crew added a layer of humor to the performance. There were moments where she playfully took aim at her stage manager Jamie, telling him to hurry up as she repeatedly bared more skin in "Annie (Don't Wear No Panties)." When someone yelled out "Tyrone," Badu initially dismissed it but eventually relented and performed a rousing rendition of the song – all while keeping the audience on their toes.
Throughout her performance, Badu wove together themes of love, spirituality, and community. She paid tribute to Detroit's rich musical heritage, mentioning Berry Gordy and J Dilla in particular. It was clear that this city held a special place in her heart – one she wasn't afraid to express, even if it meant firing off some good-natured jabs at home.
One of the most striking aspects of Badu's performance was its raw emotional honesty. She poured her soul into every note, never holding back on stage or on record. Her music is an experiment in creative freedom – a celebration of self-expression that leaves nothing to chance.
As she closed out her set with "Green Eyes," a sweeping ballad that showcased the full range of her vocal abilities, it was clear that Erykah Badu remains one of our most compelling artists. She's a true original, unafraid to challenge norms and push boundaries in pursuit of her artistic vision – all while sharing what's stirring deep within her own soul.
The evening was a deeply personal exploration of music, spirituality, and self-love – not unlike a poetry slam that Badu is uniquely equipped to deliver. Her voice soared through the venue, conjuring chills with each note as she performed the entirety of her 1997 album "Mama's Gun." This wasn't your typical concert experience; instead, it was an immersive journey through sound and visuals that left the audience breathless.
Badu's banter with the crowd and crew added a layer of humor to the performance. There were moments where she playfully took aim at her stage manager Jamie, telling him to hurry up as she repeatedly bared more skin in "Annie (Don't Wear No Panties)." When someone yelled out "Tyrone," Badu initially dismissed it but eventually relented and performed a rousing rendition of the song – all while keeping the audience on their toes.
Throughout her performance, Badu wove together themes of love, spirituality, and community. She paid tribute to Detroit's rich musical heritage, mentioning Berry Gordy and J Dilla in particular. It was clear that this city held a special place in her heart – one she wasn't afraid to express, even if it meant firing off some good-natured jabs at home.
One of the most striking aspects of Badu's performance was its raw emotional honesty. She poured her soul into every note, never holding back on stage or on record. Her music is an experiment in creative freedom – a celebration of self-expression that leaves nothing to chance.
As she closed out her set with "Green Eyes," a sweeping ballad that showcased the full range of her vocal abilities, it was clear that Erykah Badu remains one of our most compelling artists. She's a true original, unafraid to challenge norms and push boundaries in pursuit of her artistic vision – all while sharing what's stirring deep within her own soul.
and let me tell you it was LIFE.CHANGING 
! I've seen Erykah Badu live before, but this tour was something else 
. She's got this energy that just draws you in and makes you feel all the feels 
. And can we talk about her stage presence? The woman is a total boss 
. I loved how she wove together themes of love and spirituality – it was so refreshing to see an artist be so genuine and vulnerable on stage 
.
, but also a little uncomfortable (in the best way possible 
). And when she performed "Tyrone", I was singing along at the top of my lungs 
. It was clear that Erykah Badu is all about pushing boundaries and exploring her creativity – and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
. The whole atmosphere she created was so intense and spiritual, it felt like a real-life experience, not just a concert 
. And can we talk about how effortlessly sassy she is? Like, I love it when artists aren't afraid to throw some shade on stage 
.
. And that tribute to Berry Gordy and J Dilla? Spot on, girl 
.
. The way she seamlessly weaves together music, spirituality, and self-love is nothing short of poetic. I mean, who else could make a 20-year-old album sound so fresh and relevant? 
. She's truly one of our most talented artists, and I'm so grateful to have her doing what she does 
.
she was literally on fire 
i loved how she wove together love, spirituality & community into every song, it was like a poetry slam come to life 
her stage presence was EVERYTHING - towerin' over the crowd in that golden cape 
and don't even get me started on the sass levels 
i mean who else can rock a hat & still make us wanna dance? 
, like she's channeling the universe or something 
. The whole show was so deeply personal and raw, it felt like she was speaking directly to us all 
. I love how she weaved in Detroit's musical history and gave shoutouts to Berry Gordy & J Dilla - that meant a lot to me 
. Can't wait for her next tour