Regarded as one of music’s more lauded talents, the unrivaled Queen of Neo-Soul, Erykah Badu, is a purveyor of innovation amid a technology-based era.
This past Thursday (April 16), Badu hosted a virtual press conference to unpack her latest project and entry into the tech space as an entrepreneur and creative architect of her personalized virtual experience, Quarantine Concert Series: The Apocalypse.
Donna Byrd, tech entrepreneur and founding publisher of TheRoot.com, moderated the press conference, driving a shared conversation amongst a gathering of journalist from different publications ranging from the likes of Forbes, the NYT, Variety, Vice and InYaEarHipHop.
After a slate of show cancellations in lieu of COVID-19, Badu’s quick-witted temperament was put to test. The Dallas-native was tasked with providing a substitute source of income for her support system held responsible with show production, individuals whose primary means of being compensated derived from touring. Everyone was accounted for, musicians, singers, production technicians etc. – a notion of compassion that arises from being considerate in your efforts.
Like anything else tech related, the unforeseeable can happen. Learning curves present the opportunity for growth, especially when you have to upgrade equipment to effectively reach your audience.
“I had to rent a satellite to increase my bandwidth because it wasn’t powerful enough to reach the capacity of people I wanted to reach. That’s how I did it, that’s how I got started, proof of concept. I’ve did it twice and on Sunday we gone do it thrice”, voiced Badu.
Erykah Badu Quarantine Concert Series: Apocalypse Two, The Rooms | Captured by Tony Krash
The World Wide Web is a mainstay of modern-day society, presenting boundless opportunities for people around the globe to self-educate and explore. Moreover, Badu World Market is the platform responsible for curating an unmatched virtual experience that encapsulates the essence of Badu’s calming nature, yet exposes her flair for consistency in terms of live production. As a Global Hack Community member and tech advocate, Badu has managed to demonstrate resourcefulness in creating an interactive display from the comfort of her own home.
With fan inclusion taking precedence, the underlying benefits that surface from providing viewers with the opportunity to personalize their listening experience is industry defying.
“From a tech perspective, it engages the user and keeps them involved – it keeps them engaged the whole time because now they’re a part of the show. They’re actually creating it as they go – like Sims. They’re telling you what they want to see and doing that by poll, so the majority wins”, she says.
“From a user’s perspective, if I were able to do that I would feel not only included, but I would feel important. I think that’s the main reason I wanted to do that, because I wanted to be able to erase that invisible line between myself and the barricade on stage, between myself and the barricade between us and the label or streaming company – and the ownership. It gives them (viewers) the freedom to choose”, Badu continues.
Erykah Badu Quarantine Concert Series: Apocalypse One, Live from Badubotron | Captured by Tony Krash
Badu’s concise understanding for gamification and fan retention has been reflected throughout the number of streams accumulated for her first two episodes of the series, amassing more than 100,000. A supporter of smaller artists, as mentioned in Vogue, the Neo-Soul songstress may have just provided emerging talent with a viable blueprint to combat tour cancellations.
With a heightened sense of business acumen and tech prowess at her disposal, Badu has pioneered the dawn of a new era in live music streaming. Going forward, the future trajectory of live-streaming will challenge industry execs and label owners with accommodating their listeners yearning desire for content and how it’s showcased; especially considering the growing number of isolated woes and quarantined distress arising from stay-at-home orders. The Quarantined Concert Series has set the new standard for major production companies forced to compete in a mushrooming industry, and emulation may be the most plausible remedy.
“I think that it’s what’s next, I just did it first – what the labels would want to do, it’s what you’ll see them moving towards”, Badu exclaims.
Whether or not Badu’s statement bares truth, only time will tell. However, one thing that is for certain is that the show must go on.
The third installment of her acclaimed concert series will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2020 AC (After Corona) at 8:00PM EST/7:00PM CST via baduworldmarket.com.
For now, check out footage from Erykah Badu’s live press conference here.
