Erykah Badu, born Erica Abi Wright, is an American singer and songwriter whose music is highly influenced by R&B and hip hop. The longtime singer is the recipient of several accolades and awards, including four Grammy Awards, an American Musica Award and two BET Awards, among others.
Throughout her decades-long career, Badu has stood out not only for her musical prowess but also for her fashion choices. Badu often wears pieces that merge different style inspirations, including Afrocentric influences, avant-garde designs and nods to bohemian style.
On Oct. 29, 2024, Badu’s eclectic style will be celebrated as she earns the Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA. “This honor is amazing, and I do not take it for granted,” Badu said per CFDA’s official website.
“I’ve always had a love for taking bits and pieces of the things I am attracted to, and creating something far more grand than the sum of those parts. From the music I make, to the looks I put on, to the technology I’m developing, I’m always looking for innovative, exciting ways to be more expressive and connect with people – to be closer to nature.”
Here, see photos of Badu’s style through the years.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images for GQ Erykah Badu attends the 2024 GQ Creativity Awards at WSA on April 11, 2024 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2023
Image Credit: Getty Images for GQ Germany Erykah Badu attends the 25th GQ Men of the Year Awards 2023 at The Tunnel on Nov. 30, 2023 in Berlin, Germany.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images for Save The Music Erykah Badu attends Save the Music #MUSICSAVES honoring Jesse Collins at NeueHouse Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2021 in Hollywood, California.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2020
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu receives the Soundtrack Award during the Austin Film Society’s 20th annual Texas Film Awards at Creative Media Center at Austin Studios on March 12, 2020 in Austin, Texas.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2019
Image Credit: Getty Images for Paramount Pictu Erykah Badu attends the U.S. Premiere of “What Men Want” in partnership with CÎROC and presented by Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, BET Films and Will Packer Productions at the Regency Village Theatre on Jan 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images for BET Erykah Badu attends the 2018 Soul Train Awards, presented by BET, at the Orleans Arena on Nov. 17, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images for BET Erykah Badu speaks onstage at the 2017 Soul Train Awards, presented by BET, at the Orleans Arena on Nov. 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu attends the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on Nov. 6, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu attends BODY at ESPYs at Milk Studios on July 14, 2015 in Hollywood.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu attends the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu performs on stage at Theater Circo Price on July 17, 2012 in Madrid, Spain.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2011
Image Credit: Charley Gallay Erykah Badu attends the Grey Goose lounge series at Super Bowl hosted by Erykah Badu at the Grey Goose Lounge on Feb. 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu visits BET’s “106 & Park” at BET Studios on March 29, 2010 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu performs at the 2009 Soul Train Awards at the Georgia World Congress Center on Nov. 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu attends the 3rd Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Nov. 2, 2008 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2007
Image Credit: WireImage Erykah Badu performs at Chene Park on Aug. 3, 2007 in Detroit.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu performs onstage at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006 at the Hammerstein Ballroom Oct. 7, 2006 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu poses for a photo backstage during “S.O.S. (Saving OurSelves): The BET Relief Telethon” to benefit the victims of hurricane Katrina at the BET Studios Sept. 9, 2005 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at the NBC Studios Feb. 9, 2004 in Burbank, California.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu poses with her Grammy for “Best R&B Performance” backstage during the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at the Madison Square Garden on Feb. 23, 2003 in New York City.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu at “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at the NBC Studios in Burbank, California, on Sept. 27, 2002.
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Erykah Badu’s Best Style Moments: 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images Erykah Badu arrives at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on Feb. 21, 2001.