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“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."
Posted By: Richard Kigel
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 at 4:06PM
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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.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 at 8:33PM
Richard Kigel
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Dear Daphane:
That was an amazing analysis!!!
Well, if she inspired you to come out of your shell and be daring, then great.
As a writer myself, I have mixed feelings about what she did. Artists are supposed to "push the envelope", be outrageous and make people think in new ways. And sometimes they go too far.
In this case, the cheapest, cheesiest, quickest way to get attention is to take your cothes off in public. Trust me, everyone will notice and everyone will talk about it.
Here is my point. The woman is immensely talented. She is smart--she did it because of the ideas behind it.
But...really. Come on. How much talent does it take to take your clothes off?
My feeling is that she did not use the gifts God gave her very well at all. It was kind of like a cheap stunt. And the Presidential assassination metphor didn't work for me at all. The leader of a nation shot dead does not equate in any way shape or form with a naked woman who says she is misunderstood (gorgeous as she is...)
Now...suppose...Erykah BAdu wanted to convey her message of openness and defying barriers and throwing off shackles. She could have shown the joy and freedom of nakedness in so many other ways that used her artistic talent with more depth and beauty.
Imagine that she took that same walk, starting out with that same trench coat and sunglasses only she is walking alone on a beautiful beach. There is so much more of nature she can interact with as she feels the sand between her toes, the waves lapping at her feet. She can even immerse herself in the surf. She can roll in the sand as it sticks to her body.
And through it all she can show the one quality that was totally missing from her entire performance from start to finish. Joy!!! During her naked stroll in Dallas she did not show one instant of joy.
Part of the great liberation of nakedness and naturalness is the rush of pure joy.
I watched her face as she strolled past all the onlookers. She looked uncomforable, like she was in pain. Really, she looked like she didn't want to do it.
She said herself later that she was petrified. She looked it.
I guess my main point is--get naked? Sure. I don't see one reason why she shouldn't. Except where she intentionally offends large numbers of people who objected to what she was doing.
In my opinion, it was her "in your face" defiance, her "I'm going to do this to hell with what you think" attitude that made this a self-indulgent stunt rather than art.
Having said that--I do admire her intelligence, her vision, her gutsiness--and she's got a great bod for a 39 year old mom of three. I hope her next project is less confrontational and more universal. I hope she makes better and smarter use of her tremedous talents and abilities.
Now, I'm going to get some of her music on Itunes and give a listen.
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 at 10:31PM
Richard Kigel
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Well Rich, I think if it has a positive effect on our youth as Daphane is expressing, then it is a good thing. We need our youth to be non conformists, just as I know you were when you took that first teaching job, where? Harlem was it?
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 at 11:29PM
Steve Williams
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No Daphane, don't let him get away with that! C'mon Rich, how many times did you watch that video? Ha!
Wednesday, March 31st 2010 at 11:33PM
Steve Williams
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Daphane:
Great point.
ONe of the things I found most fascinating about the whole video was her face. (The Truth? Actually the second or third most fascinating thing...but I won't get into that here. And note to STeve: I watched it once.)
I enjoy observing people's facial expressions to see what they reveal about their inner emotional state. And you are right--you could see the transformation as she shed more and more of her clothing.
Clearly, she was petrified at first. Her opening mvoes were uncertain. The closer she came to baring it all she was growing more and more confident. You even saw some bravado.
It was an interesting real-life psychologocal drama of personal transformation.
One thing she has done is to win me over as an admirer for her gutsiness and her willingness to stand up for her artistic vision. AS a writer, I find I have to face the same kinds of pressures--I know I have to get out there and "expose myself" in terms of my writing. So, in a way, I have to confront my own fears and hesitations.
Daphane: here is a question for you. I figure I should ask an expert.
Erykah Badu has got me interested to hear some of her music. So after "Window Seat", which one of her songs would you recommend as showcasing her true talents as a singer and songwriter?
Thanks!!!
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 9:59AM
Richard Kigel
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Hey Steve:
Great thanks!!!
I am enjoying it!!!
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 3:37PM
Richard Kigel
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Well, clearly, you are a determined truth seeker and independent thinker who will not be stopped.
More power to you!!!! You have NO LIMITS to where you can go!!!
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something when you know in your heart that you can!!!
Astronaut Mae Jemision, the first African-American woman in space, has this great quote:
“I had to learn very early not to limit myself due to others’ limited imaginations. I have learned these days never to limit anyone else due to my own limited imagination.”
So keep searching. Keeping expressing your own mind. We need more intelligent critical thinkers like you!!!
So...any suggestions for Erykah BAdu songs that I should not miss?
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 6:45PM
Richard Kigel
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THANK YOU, DAPHANE!
Thursday, April 1st 2010 at 8:19PM
Richard Kigel
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Dalphane, and if we also learn a little about us as a race we will be able to get angry(?) / happy (?) at how far maybe we have come????
Or am I trying to say that maybe it is normal to not 'exploit' the body of the black female? example,
LOng before tv which means long , long before the video, children who went to the movies had full open view at those 5 cents and 10 Saturday movies of the naked brest, close to **** bodies of the Black females and young teens in those Tarzan movies or any movies showing Africa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also long, long before women could wear dresses or skirts even close up to their knees!!!!!
My beautiful younge lady, as you get to know me you will know I am about our culture and just how important "I" believe it is to / for our future as a united race of people and members of the human race also. (smile)
And, Steve, my brother as I said on your blog about this same body in the **** issue in the 60s...how the more things change, the more they remain the same. (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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See Daphane, like Rich, I believe in Educate!!!EDUCATE!!!EDUCATE!!! so "I" am so glad you mentioned Tupac...did you know that Tupac's mother was one of the original Black Panthers???
And, I have said this to you so that if you have been taught that they were the Enemy of America then maybe you should have another look at them from our culture's point of view...expecially if you plan to attend a college that has an African-American study departant in it , because they are the ones to give full credit for these departments of today(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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