BONUS: From woke to MAGA to A.I.: Erykah Badu’s entire Ari Melber interview

The Beat with Ari Melber

Ari Melber, MS NOW

Politics, News, Versant Media, Ms Now, Daily News, Versant, Government

4.6 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 April 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

BONUS: Top Republicans are attacking what they call “woke” politics, and even passing laws designed to “stop” a supposed woke agenda. The singer who first brought that concept to the culture, in “Master Teacher,” Erykah Badu, reflects on social justice, culture and “woke politics” today – one of several topics the four-time Grammy winner tackles in this extended discussion with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber. Badu discusses her singing, deep links to hip hop, personal evolution, spirituality and approach to the music industry and business in general, including her new cannabis line with “Cookies.” She also reacts to earlier moments and videos from her career, and engages with an “assessment” of her work that an artificial intelligence chat bot generated by drawing on public writings about her music and its message. This in-depth discussion is the newest installment of “Mavericks with Ari Melber,” a series of interviews with artists, musicians and cultural icons (Aired in 2023)

Transcript

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0:00.0	The universe really doesn't give you what you ask for.
0:03.9	It gives you what you are.
0:06.4	And you attract the things that you are.
0:08.7	So, yeah, you can't really race to be something you're not.
0:17.4	Revolutionary Mavericks.
0:23.6	Welcome to Mavericks with Ari Melbert.
0:25.6	Today we are joined by a celebrated singer, DJ,
0:29.6	and really cultural icon, four-time Grammy winner, Erica Badu.
0:33.6	Thanks for being here.
0:35.6	Thanks for having me.
0:36.6	I'm excited. Is there any energy or intention
0:41.7	which is set for our conversation? I think we are in alignment. We're surrounded by
0:47.8	everything that matters. As long as we're getting this oxygen, I think we're good. Good. Oxygen's good.
0:53.2	Yeah, I like being outside.
0:54.4	Usually they have us inside.
0:55.7	For you, we're outside.
0:56.9	Thank you.
0:57.6	You got a lot going on that we're going to get into.
0:59.6	Yeah.
1:00.1	But just big picture.
1:01.5	How are you feeling at this point in your life and your art and all this other business you're doing?
1:07.2	I feel exquisite.
	...

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