#34: Erykah Badu 'Otherside of the Game'

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#34: Erykah Badu 'Otherside of the Game'

nOvaMatic | 07/15/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (11)

I make no secret of my extreme dislike for Baduizm. Maybe at the time of its release, I'd have been accused of not really being conscious or patient enough to buy what Erykah Badu was selling thematically. But that so wasn't the case. Without getting into it and summarily drawing the ire of everyone that reads this site, let's just say this album's saving grace for me was "Otherside of the Game."

While a line like "to all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughter" could come off as irresponsible and lazy when delivered by a rap artist, Badu's track gave us the girlfriend's or baby-mama's perspective on how hustling affects the entire household. She certainly doesn't glamorize the lifestyle, but it's a reality and, like it or not, within that reality are people that live and love and have the same worries and headaches as those of us with less unsavory career paths. All that aside, the reason I claimed this track for our Top 100 is the execution. The message was clear from the get-go, but what kept this one on repeat for me was how smooth and somber it was, almost sexy by virtue of its instrumentation alone. While other tracks on Baduizm seemed rather sing-songy and too-catchy, this one felt very grown, and embodied a sound that would carry the better part of her next release, Mama's Gun.

Tags: erykah badu

Comments

I'm so glad you came to your senses, because this is my all time fav of E. Badu!!!! LOL

Ramel Werner | July 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Permalink

ha. when i hear the instrumental it just gives me chills! Such a summer song. Dang that put me in a good mood.

redone | July 16, 2008 11:27 AM | Permalink

Blasphemy...as you well know.

But YOUR saving grace with me is that it's well-written blasphemy.

Vivrant Thang | July 16, 2008 10:22 AM | Permalink

While other tracks on Baduizm seemed rather sing-songy and too-catchy, this one felt very grown, and embodied a sound that would carry the better part of her next release, Mama's Gun.

I agree. This is one of my favs from Baduizm as well. :)

Madame Z | July 16, 2008 10:18 AM | Permalink

Never heard this joint but it is smooth......I think J. Holiday used this sample in his song bac of lac, sound familar.......

stoneyisland | July 16, 2008 4:52 AM | Permalink

This was definitely my favorite song from Baduizm. And the video with Andre justs makes it even better.

jojodancer | July 16, 2008 12:44 AM | Permalink

Yes, the saving grace indeed. This song gives me chills. You're right about the somber but sexy tone it has. Over the years, it's been one of the songs I just keep coming back to.

Bianca | July 15, 2008 11:32 PM | Permalink

This is my absolute favorite song by Erykah! I lived this life, or damn near close to it, at one point in my life. Glad God saw fit for me to move on to a higher purpose.

Nikki | July 15, 2008 11:28 PM | Permalink

This is my favorite track from her and I loved the video. Love the lyrics and her interpretation. Very mature, well thought out and complex.

sdg1844 | July 15, 2008 10:56 PM | Permalink

The live version of this song is the business.

0731 | July 15, 2008 10:03 PM | Permalink

I love this song.Never seen the video (I was overseas with only one channel that only catered to news hehe).Loves this song.

Sharonda | July 15, 2008 8:11 PM | Permalink