THE PLOT THICKENS…HER PRODUCERS SAY ERYKAH BADU PLANNED TO GET ARRESTED ON HER DALLAS STRIP STROLL
“WE HAD BAIL MONEY AND EVERYTHING. I THING SHE REALLY WANTED TO GET ARRESTED AND EVEN MAKE A BIGGER MESSAGE. YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING?—HER CONTINGENCY PLAN WAS GET ARRESTED. SHE WAS BIG ON DOING IT.”
WENN Radio, Birmingham Alabama, March 31, 2010
Provocative R&B star Erykah Badu wanted to make her "Window Seat" video even more controversial -- by getting arrested during the shoot.
The singer/songwriter rips off her clothes in front of complete strangers in the promo, which was filmed in public at Dealey Plaza, the tourist hotspot in Dallas where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
But she was hoping for some even more headline-grabbing scenes -- she deliberately attempted to get seized by police officers for filming without a permit.
The promo's producers, duo Coodie and Chike, even had bail money on hand to free Badu from the cells when the shoot was over -- but the plan fell flat when local cops failed to notice the film crew.
Dallas Police Department Senior Corporal Janice Crowther tells MTV News , "They definitely did not get a permit. To shoot that video they would have had to get a special events permit from the events office and it would have had to specify what type of filming they were doing, what subjects they would use and any traffic control they would need."
Crowther also confirmed an officer should have been on site to oversee the shoot, adding: "That's more than likely why (the producers) circumvented the permit."
Coodie and Chike admit they knew they could face trouble over the shoot, but Badu was adamant she wanted to go ahead.
Coodie says, "We had bail money and everything. I think she really wanted to get arrested and even make a bigger message. You know what I'm saying?"
Chike adds, "There was patrol cars all day, and I (was hearing) sirens, looking up and seeing some kind of sheriff's car or something. So I was like, 'This is gonna be interesting.' Her contingency plan was (to) get arrested -- she was big on doing it."
WENN Radio, Birmingham Alabama, March 31, 2010
Provocative R&B star Erykah Badu wanted to make her "Window Seat" video even more controversial -- by getting arrested during the shoot.
The singer/songwriter rips off her clothes in front of complete strangers in the promo, which was filmed in public at Dealey Plaza, the tourist hotspot in Dallas where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
But she was hoping for some even more headline-grabbing scenes -- she deliberately attempted to get seized by police officers for filming without a permit.
The promo's producers, duo Coodie and Chike, even had bail money on hand to free Badu from the cells when the shoot was over -- but the plan fell flat when local cops failed to notice the film crew.
Dallas Police Department Senior Corporal Janice Crowther tells MTV News , "They definitely did not get a permit. To shoot that video they would have had to get a special events permit from the events office and it would have had to specify what type of filming they were doing, what subjects they would use and any traffic control they would need."
Crowther also confirmed an officer should have been on site to oversee the shoot, adding: "That's more than likely why (the producers) circumvented the permit."
Coodie and Chike admit they knew they could face trouble over the shoot, but Badu was adamant she wanted to go ahead.
Coodie says, "We had bail money and everything. I think she really wanted to get arrested and even make a bigger message. You know what I'm saying?"
Chike adds, "There was patrol cars all day, and I (was hearing) sirens, looking up and seeing some kind of sheriff's car or something. So I was like, 'This is gonna be interesting.' Her contingency plan was (to) get arrested -- she was big on doing it."
Thanks Daphane. Excellent point.
There are two aspects to this: her artistic vision and her career.
Clearly, she is an independent thinker and a wonderfully creative artist. She has a lot to contribute as a singer, song writer and as an artist. I was very moved by her statements afterward describing her process and her purpose. That showed me she is serious about her artistic vision.
Then there is the second aspect. The financial health of her career. Without that, she loses her platform, she loses her opportunity to take the stage. She is, after all, in "show business". She is an entertainer.
Getting arrested would be a career ender for some folks. I'm thinking of a politician, a priest, a school teacher, a judge, an officer of the law, someone in a position of trust.
Sad to say, for entertainers, it can be a career boost.
Don't forget--she is in a business that rewards getting your name in the news, for good or for bad. Just the video of her stripping act, all by itself, made news for days. Many people who had never heard of Erykah Badu now know Erykah Badu. Many people who had never spent a cent on her music will now buy some. (Including me!)
What she did was good for business. And if she got arrested, it would have been even better for business because it would be in the news even more.
She got a lot of folks buzzing about her. And good for her!!!
However, she never did get arrested and I seriously doubt whether the authorities will bother. They may since she did not hide the evidence. And if they do come for her, it will be to her economic advantage.
As far as her artistic vision--I admire her courage and her daring. I think she is a huge talent. I like to see people follow their convictions. And I enjoyed her sweet little strolll
But...I don't think her point was worth all this fuss. I would rather see her use her immense creative powers to benefit others more directly and forcefully. I don't see how her getting naked helped one single person.