Its subject matter deals with social concerns and struggles within the African-American community, exploring topics such as institutional racism, religion, poverty, urban violence, the abuse of power, complacency, cultural identity, drug addiction, and nihilism. New Amerykah Part One is an esoteric concept album with sociopolitical themes and mostly downbeat subject matter, featuring more impersonal topics and social commentary than on Badu’s previous work.

Worldwide Underground contains minimalist songwriting concerning hip hop culture, love, ghetto life, and gang culture. Mama’s Gun has an confessional lyrical theme, covering themes of insecurity, social issues, and personal relationships. Her philosophy is influenced by African ideology, African-centered and Five Percent theologies, and Southern African-American folk traditions. The songs in her album Baduizm express her personal take on life. The majority of Badu’s music is greatly influenced by her beliefs of the Nation of Gods and Earths and her exploration of her African heritage. In contrast to its predecessor, New Amerykah Part One, which was digitally produced and political in tone, New Amerykah Part Two incorporates sampling and live instrumentation. New Amerykah Part One has a dense stylistic amalgam that primarily incorporates funk, soul, and hip hop genres, as well as jazz and electronica. Worldwide Underground followed in the same vein as Badu’s previous efforts: the album is neo-soul and prominently incorporates hip hop and funk elements, while also featuring an unconventional musical structure. The album has been viewed by critics as a female companion to neo soul artist D’Angelo’s second album Voodoo, which features a similar musical style and direction. Mama’s Gun is a neo soul album, that incorporates funk, soul, and jazz styles. Badu’s has been described as an experimental R&B singer, and her work explores contemporary forms of soul and hip hop. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. Badu’s work draws from R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop, and became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s along with artists like D’Angelo.

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