As of this writing, it's already been 8 years since this was released.

Like some type of bugged out modern blaxplotation flick...

All three of their LPs belong on here (this one; Minstrel Show; Getback). Rare unpretenious, feel-good authenthic hip hop to come forth this decade.

Hated this in the beginning, but boy did I open up! Funky as hell and inventive: two characteristics that weren't seen that often during this decade.

Another one who I initially wrote off as another hipster novelty...until I listened to the music. Smart as a whip and left-field without becoming too alien.

The mainstream pop audience was starting to pay attention to her by this album (thanks to an ubiqitious iPod ad) but still nearly as sublime as her debut.

Joins the ranks, alongside acts like Lauryn Hill and Outkast, as an artist that actually can back up the enormous level of hype behind her. An rare example of critical acclaim, extreme media attention and actual QUALITY MUSIC colliding.

Another album that I hated initially. Until I realized it was all about the groove. Then I got sucked in, like everyone else.

Ethereal, ambient, moody, timeless. More abstract and vibe-oriented than her more "coventional" work with Groove Theory but just as enchanting. All three of her solo works belong on this list.

Like all of Badu's output, this album is quite derivative. (Listen to Sa-Ra, Dudley Perkins, & Georgia Anne Muldrow [the former and latter actually appear on this LP] to see the aesthetic Badu is trying to emulate). However, it's still pretty daring and one of the most gleefully bizarre major label soul projects in recent memory.