^ Archived May 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.^ Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.^ a b RIAA Archived February 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Decem| Billboard Chart Archive".^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.).Photography: Imari Dusauzay, Imari Dusauzay.Cover art concept: Erykah Badu, Clymenza Hawkins.Mixing: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt, Gorden Mack, Kenny Ortíz.Engineers: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt, Gorden Mack, Kenny Ortíz.Executive producers: Erykah Badu, Kedar Massenburg.Producers: Erykah Badu, Norman "Keys" Hurt.The album was certified two times platinum by RIAA for shipments of over two million copies. The album was released on November 18, 1997, and reached number four on the US Billboard 200 Īnd number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. A reviewer of Entertainment Weekly praised the album's jazz influenced sounds, calling the album "sassy" and "relaxed". "Not only does it illustrate the depths of Badu's talents, but Live is as strong and captivating as Baduizm, Stanley wrote. Leo Stanley of Allmusic praised Badu's decision to release a live album so shortly after releasing her debut. Upon release Live was met with acclaim from music critics.
Reception Professional ratings Review scores Baduizm was certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and the Canadian Recording Industry Association.īadu recorded the live album while pregnant with son Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with his birth. Her particular style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. Baduizm 's commercial and critical success helped establish Badu as one of the emerging neo soul genre's leading artists. The album was met with critical and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard charts and number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. After she signed to Universal Records, Badu released her debut studio album Baduizm, in early 1997.