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New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
Studio album by Erykah Badu
Released	March 30, 2010 (2010-03-30)
Recorded	2006–2009
Genre	Funk, neo soul, R&B, soul jazz, hip hop, soul
Label	Universal Motown
Producer	Erykah Badu, Mike 'Chav' Chavarria, J Dilla, ?uestlove, James Poyser, RC Williams, Jahborn, Madlib, 9th Wonder, Sa-Ra, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Karriem Riggins, Ta'Raach
Erykah Badu chronology
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008) New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010)
Singles from New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
"Jump up in the Air (Stay There)" Released: January 29, 2010 "Window Seat" Released: February 5, 2010

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is the upcoming fifth studio album by American R&B and neo soul musician Erykah Badu. The album is set to release March 30, 2010 on Universal Motown.^[1]

In advance of the album's release date, Erykah Badu hosted a series of listening sessions for press and VIPs at Chung King Studios in New York City on December 9 and December 10, 2009.

Music

In contrast to New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh features lush live instrumentation and taps into Badu's emotional side by thematically focusing on romance and relationships. "We used a lot of analog instruments—harps, strings, drums, piano, and even a Theremin—to give the album that sonic feel," said Badu. "There's a strong undercurrent of bottom, a rumbling to these songs that feels good to me. It feels like a hug."

During the session, the singer-songwriter explained the album name:

I called it 'Part II: The Return of the Ankh' because this album is the sister of the left side of my brain -- it is the right side.'Part I was the left side of my thoughts -- it was more socially political and my thought process was more analytical. This time there wasn't anything to be concerned with -- the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of 'Baduizm' -- this is just about beats and rhymes in a cipher.^[2]

—Erykah Badu

The track 'Jump up in the Air' is said to feature numerous MCs, including Lil Wayne and Bilal. "There are a few surprise MC's that you will hear," Badu says. "I don't want to give it away just yet." ^[2] RC Williams, Badu's musical director, said that a music video for the track was shot in Dallas.^[3]

Singles

Badu released her Web-only single "Jump up in the Air (Stay There)" featuring Lil' Wayne on her new official website in January of 2010. A clean version of the video was released on February 12, 2010 on Badu's Official Website. ^[4]

She also released a downloadable link for her first official single "Window Seat" on her Twitter. ^[5] The song has so far peaked at number 29 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. ^[6]

Track listing

1. "20 Feet Tall" (Produced by Erykah Badu and 9th Wonder) –
2. "Window Seat" (Produced by Erykah Badu and James Poyser) – 4:54
3. "Agitation" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn of SA-RA Creative Partners) (Contains a sample of "Just As I Thought" by David Sancious.) –
4. "Get Money" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Karieem Riggins (drums), Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner (bass), James Poyser (keys), Tommy Trajlio (guitar), Mike "Chav" Chavarria (mooger fooger) (Contains an interpolation of "Can't Turn Me Away", by Sylvia Striplin) –
5. "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Ta'Raach) (Contains a sample of "Arrow Through Me" by the Wings.) –
6. "Love" (Produced by Erykah Badu and J Dilla) –
7. "Umm Hmm" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib) –
8. "Fall in Love" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Karieem Riggins) (Contains a sample of "Intimate Friends" by Eddie Kendricks.) –
9. "Strawberry Incense" (Instrumental) (Produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib featuring Kirsten Agnesta (harp)) – 3:30
10. "Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 1) (Undercover Over-Lover)" (Produced by Erykah Badu featuring James Poyser (keys)) –
11. "Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 2)" (Produced by Erykah Badu and Georgia Anne Muldrow) –
12. "Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 3)" – ^[7]

Web-only bonus track

1. "Jump up in the Air (Stay There)" Feat. Lil Wayne (Produced by Erykah Badu, RC Williams and Jahborn) (Contains an interpolation of "Hydraulic Pump" by Parliament Funkadelic.) - 4:25

References

External links