There are a few iconic artists that manage to always be influential in the industry without having to release albums every year or remain plastered on tabloid magazines. Erykah Badu has been in the game since I was two (’96) and I admittedly haven’t listened to her catalog enough. I always knew there was something special to her music, whether it be hearing “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” when my mom decided to listen to 1560s Da Touch in the car or when I saw her music video for “Honey” back in 2007 and became mesmerized by the soulful visual. Whenever I think about how many times I listened to “Window Seat” not completely sure why I was obsessed with the track or my failed attempt to listen to New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) in my early teens, I hate that I still haven’t done my homework but no worries, I have time.
Maybe Badu felt my yearning to connect to her music because she decided to casually drop a remix to one of my favorite song’s right now that you may have heard once or twice called “Hotline Bling” (If this track somehow fell off your radar, please stop what you’re doing and listen to it now).
Did you listen to it? Okay, good! Let’s dive into this remix:
Badu turned October’s Very Own’s top 10 hit into a seven-minute soulful trip. It’s not like she dramatically changes the track, but she brings new life to “Hotline Bling” with her magic touch. The way she literally breaks down Drake’s simple hook, “ You used to call me on my cell phone/ Late night when you need my love,” into something so cool and soulful without trying to sound young, or innovative or different for the sake of being different is such a breath of fresh air. My mouth transformed into a smile so quickly when I heard that lyric switch and that smile didn’t leave my face as the song continued.
If you weren’t a fan of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” give Badu’s version a spin. If you were a fan of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” still listening this remix. I want people to hear this version for the interlude alone where Badu turns the song into an actual hotline and gives the caller options like:
If you’re calling to beg for some shit in general, press 4
If you’re calling to beg for some shit, but this is that pre-call before the actual begging, press 5
If you’re calling to say peace, and don’t really fit into any of those descriptions
Text me, because I don’t really answer voicemail
Erykah Badu naming her upcoming mixtape But U Cain’t Use My Phone is the cherry on top. I’m ready for whatever’s next Badu!
What do you think fo Erykah Badu’s remix to Drake’s “Hotline Bling”? Let Me Know In The Comments!
itsmarcelj 