Pete Freedman
Leon Bridges, Hip-Hop Icons Pete Rock and Talib Kweli Top List Of Special Guests Slated To Appear At Erykah Badu’s 46th Birthday Bash At The Bomb Factory On Sunday.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Erykah Badu isn’t just a Dallas treasure; she’s arguably Dallas’ greatest treasure. She’s had ample opportunity to leave town throughout the years, but she’s always staunchly stayed true to her Dallas roots, actively doing her part to better the city and shine a spotlight upon its many talented creatives. The influence she’s had on the city and upon those around her, as evidenced by this stellar recent profile on her by Zac Crain for D Magazine, is simply not to be discounted.
Badu, in no uncertain terms, is Dallas royalty. And, as is now annual tradition, she holds court at the Bomb Factory each year as he hosts a birthday celebration, during which she calls upon a number of her famous friends — both from in and out of the local market — to join in on the fun.
Last year, you many recall, that meant appearances from Andre 3000 and Freeway Rick Ross, along with a surprise performance of Radiohead’s “Creep” by Dave Chappelle and performances from a slew of locals.
So who will join Queen Badu in performing live on Sunday, February 26, at the Bomb Factory — an event for which there are rather inexplicably tickets still available — as she rings in her 46th rotation around the sun?
Well, after weeks of speculation we now know for sure who’ll be in attendance, offering up live sets before Bady herself takes the stage for a set backed by her live production crew The Cannabinoids — well, the openly announced people, anyway.
- Pete Rock, the hip-hop icon who knows a thing or two about reminiscing.
- Talib Kweli, the conscious rapper who’s been known to get by depite being owed an apology from Kanye West.
- Leon Bridges, the Fort Worth-sprung modern-day king of all things soulful.
- DJ Sober, one of Dallas’ most revered DJs.
- The Dividends, the electro-pop collaborative effort from Dallas inide darling Sarah Jaffe and Dallas-based rap superproducer Symbolyc One (Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Eminem).
- Sam Lao, Dallas’ own very-much-ready-for-primetime rapper/singer.
- The Outfit, TX, the undisputed kings of the Dallas rap undergound as well as the scene’s unofficial historians and ambassadors.
- Zach Witness, Badu’s Dallas-bred current go-to production partner.
- Durand Bernarr, an up-and-coming R&B singer out of Los Angeles.
- Cure for Paranoia, the rap-indebted but ultimately genre-bending act that ranks among Dallas’ most exciting up-and-coming groups at the moment.
- DJ Sheka Booker, the inner-circle Badu affiliate who stands as the O.G. at the forefront of Dallas’ current influx of female DJs.
- Sandovall, an up-and-coming pop performer working under the wings of longtime Badu collaborator and Cannabinoid member Rob Free.
Again, these are just the announced guests. Given that this is, y’know, Badu, it’s possible — if not altogether likely — that others will be making surprise, unannounced appearances to pay their respects, too.
Y’know, just as we’ll be doing come Sunday night.
Cover photo from last year’s party by Jonathan Stafford. Head here for tickets and more information.