Erica
Erica carnea in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Erica L.
Species
Over 700 species, including: Erica arborea Erica azorica Erica caffra Erica carnea Erica cerinthoides Erica ciliaris Erica cinerea Erica erigena Erica lusitanica Erica mackaiana Erica mammosa Erica manipuliflora Erica reunionensis Erica scoparia Erica tetralix Erica turgida Erica vagans Erica verticillata

Erica ( /ˈɛrɨkə/),^[1] the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae.^[2] The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance.

Most of the species are small shrubs from 0.2-1.5 m high, though some are taller; the tallest are E. arborea (Tree Heath) and E. scoparia (Besom Heath), both of which can reach up to 6–7 m tall. All are evergreen, with minute needle-like leaves 2–15 mm long. Flowers are sometimes axillary, and sometimes in terminal umbels or spikes, and are usually outward or downward facing. Flowers are borne in mass, and the plants are grown as landscape or garden plants for their floral effect. The seeds are very small, and in some species may persist in the soil for decades.

At least 660 of the species are endemic to South Africa, and these are often called the Cape heaths, forming the largest genus in the fynbos. The remaining species are native to other parts of Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean region, and Europe.

Like most of the rest of the Ericaceae, Erica species are mainly calcifugous, being limited to acidic or very acidic soils – from dry, sandy soils to extremely wet ones such as bog. They often dominate dwarf-shrub habitats (heathland and moorland), or the ground vegetation of open acidic woodland.

The closely related genus Calluna was formerly included in Erica – it differs in having even smaller scale-leaves (less than 2–3 mm long), and the flower corolla being more divided into separate petals. Erica is sometimes referred to as "Winter (or Spring) Heather" to distinguish it from Calluna (Summer (or Autumn) Heather).

Plants of this genus are eaten mainly by the larvae of many Lepidoptera species including Emperor Moth, Garden tiger moth, True Lover's Knot, Wormwood Pug and the Coleophora case-bearers C. juncicolella and C. pyrrhulipennella.

See also[link]

• Heath (habitat).
• Calluna
• Robert Riley

References[link]

1. ^ The expected Anglo-Latin pronunciation, /ɨˈraɪkə/, may be given in dictionaries (OED: "Erica"), but /ˈɛrɨkə/ is more commonly heard (Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607)
2. ^ Manning, John; Paterson-Jones, Colin (2008). Field Guide to Fynbos. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-77007-265-7. 

• 

  Erica arborea
• 

  Erica cinerea
• 

  Erica junonia
• 

  Erica mammosa
• 

  Erica ciliaris

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Erica

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2007)

DJ Envy (born RaaShaun Casey ) is a mixtape DJ from New York. He is known as New York's leading mixtape gardener.^[1] He currently serves as the President & CEO of BLOK Entertainment, his own management and production company that has already produced tracks for such artist like DMX, Murderers, Funkmaster Flex, Foxy Brown, Juvenile, Petey Pablo, Fabolous and many more. He is also an MTV2 VJ for Sucker Free Countdown.

Career[link]

A native of Queens, New York, DJ Envy was tutored by neighborhood acquaintance DJ Clue?,^[2] who introduced him to the mixtape circuit in the mid-90's. He quickly climbed up the ranks, and by the early 2000 he was peddling the latest freestyles and exclusives for big-name rappers like Jay-Z, 50 Cent and The L.O.X.. Since his reputation was so esteemed Sony signed him to their affiliate label Desert Storm Records. In 2003, he released his commercial debut album entitled The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1.

Envy's big break on the radio came when he mixed once a month for Hot 97's show called "Takin' it to the Streets", hosted by Angie Martinez from 12 a.m.-4 a.m., but later filled in when Angie Martinez got pregnant.^[3] He then co-host Hot 97's morning show with Miss Jones from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. daily. His run on the morning show ended in July 2008 when Miss Jones moved to Philadelphia. Envy spinned on his own mixshows on Hot 97 called "The People's Mix" on Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm and "The People's Choice Hit List" on Sundays 5pm to 8pm. He had a segment on Hot 97 titled "New at 2", where he played the newest hits from 2 to 2:30 p.m. He hosts Hip-Hop Nation's afternoon show on Sirius XM Radio on weekdays 5 pm – 10 pm EST and on weekends he used to do a show from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Power 105.

As of Monday December 6, 2010, DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God began hosting the morning show on Power 105 as The Breakfast Club.

Envy has made appearances on various television shows like 106 & Park, Entourage and Tha Corner, which he hosts on the Music Choice channel.^[3] He was featured in the 2006 film Blood of a Champion, credited as Shadow's enemy friend.^[4] He also appeared WSHH video along with Lil Mama as well.

On March 21, 2010, DJ Envy took over as host of MTV2's Sucker Free Countdown.

Feud with DJ Star[link]

DJ Star, whose real name is Troi Torain, had a running on-air feud with DJ Envy. Star lost his job after making racist and sexual comments about DJ Envy's wife and daughter on air.^[2]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1 (2003)^[1]
• The Co-Op (with Red Cafe) (2007)^[1]
• It's Moovin' (2009)
• Love and Envy (album)'' (with lil mama) (2011)

Production[link]

• "Feel the Hate" - Murderers (2000)
• "Broken Silence" - Foxy Brown (2001)
• "The Bad Guy" (featuring Pain in da Ass) - Fabolous (2001)
• "Wait a Minute" - Joe Budden (2004)

References[link]

External links[link]

• DJ Envy on Myspace
• DJ Envy on Twitter
• DJ Envy at the Internet Movie Database
• DJ Envy at MTV
• DJ Envy at Discogs

Erykah Badu
Hamburg/Germany 2002
Background information
Birth name	Erica Abi Wright
Also known as	Loretta Brown, Analog Girl in a Digital World, Fat Belly Bella, Medulla Oblongata
Born	(1971-02-26) February 26, 1971 (age 41) Dallas, Texas United States
Genres	R&B, neo soul, soul, funk, jazz, hip hop
Occupations	singer-songwriter, activist, Record producer, actress, DJ, rapper
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, guitar, drums, drum machine
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Kedar, Universal, Motown, Puppy Love, Control Freaq
Associated acts	Soulquarians, The Cannabinoids, Madlib, The Roots, 9th Wonder, The Flaming Lips, Macy Gray, Mark Ronson, Stephen Marley, Dead Prez, Lenny Kravitz, Queen Latifah, Joi, Bahamadia, Angie Stone
Website	ErykahBadu.com

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971),^[1] better known by her stage name Erykah Badu /ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz.^[1] She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical stylings and sense of fashion. She is known as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul" or the "Queen of Neo-Soul".

Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful headwraps. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. She was a core member of the Soulquarians, and is also an actress having appeared in a number of films playing a range of supporting roles in movies such as Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D. She also speaks at length in the documentary Before the Music Dies.

Early life[link]

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Texas, on February 26, 1971. Her mother raised her and her brother and sister alone; their father, William Wright, Jr., had deserted the family early in their lives. To provide for her family, the children's grandmother often helped looking after them while Erykah's mother, Kolleen Maria Gipson (Wright), performed as an actress in theatrical productions. Influenced by her mother, Erykah had her first taste of show business at the age of 4, singing and dancing with her mother at the Dallas Theatre Centre. Erykah Badu was the owner of Focal point in Dallas, Texas.

By the age of 14, Erykah was free-styling for a local radio station alongside such talent as Roy Hargrove. In her early youth, she decided to change the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she firmly believed her original name to be her slave name. The term 'kah' signifies the inner self. Badu is her favorite jazz scat sound and is also an African name for the 10th born child used for the Akan people in Ghana.^[2]

Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Badu went on to study theater at the historically black college Grambling State University. Concentrating on music full-time, she left the university in 1993 before graduating and took on several minimum wage jobs to support herself. She taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. Working and touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, she recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg, who set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal Records.^[2]

Career[link]

Music[link]

Badu’s style is a prime illustration of Neo-Soul in that it focuses on the contemporary styles of the genres soul and hip hop and it sends out a deeper message as opposed to common R&B music. The songs in Badu’s album, “Baduizm” exemplifies her personal take on life. Her philosophy features ideologies from African influences, with fusions from the Nation of Islam and the Five Percent theologies, the complex views of the ancient Egyptians, and Southern African-American folk traditions. The majority of Badu’s music is greatly influenced by her beliefs of the NOI or the Nation of Islam and her African roots and heritage.^[3] Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single "On & On" reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her particular style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday.^[4] Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with "On & On," won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.

Badu performing at the Jazz Reggae Festival, 2009

During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth of her child.^[5] Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in "Tyrone", a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend.^[6] Badu also collaborated with the Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song "You Got Me", co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, "Bag Lady", was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases.^[7] Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and "Bag Lady" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. "Love of My Life" hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy Award for the song in 2003.^[8]

After the release of Mama's Gun and "Love of My Life", Badu experienced writer's block.^[9] She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour", in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September 2003, the Worldwide Underground album was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove.^[10] Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the album. Badu also contributed to Zap Mama's album Ancestry in Progress (2004), adding her vocals to the track "Bandy Bandy."

After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. "Honey", a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008. According to Nielsen Soundscan, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) has sold 359,000 copies in the United States ^[11] Erykah Badu performed at the 10th annual Voodoo Experience in New Orleans the weekend before Halloween 2008.^[12]

Erykah Badu released her fifth studio album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) on March 30, 2010.^[13]

An "Icon" CD series of Badu was released on August 31, 2010. It features 12 of the most favorable hits from different albums of Erykah Badu.

Badu is currently working on new material with Flying Lotus.^[14] Badu will also appear on the debut album by the supergroup, Rocketjuice and The Moon which is due for release in March 2012.^[15]

Controversy over "Window Seat" video[link]

Badu in 2008

On March 13, 2010,^[16] Badu filmed the video for her song "Window Seat", at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, which Badu wrote on her Twitter feed "was shot guerrilla style, no crew, 1 take, no closed set, no warning, 2 min., Downtown Dallas, then ran like hell."^[17] Without acquiring permission or permits from the city, Badu shed her clothes as she walked along a Dallas, Texas, sidewalk until she was nude at the site where President Kennedy was assassinated. A shot rang out as the song ended, and Badu's head jerked back and she fell to the ground. Children with their families could be seen nearby as Badu stripped.^[18] When asked about stripping nude in the presence of minors, Badu said, "I didn’t think about them until I saw them, and in my mind I tried to telepathically communicate my good intent to them. That’s all I could do, and I hoped they wouldn’t be traumatized."^[16] Badu also explained on The Wanda Sykes Show on April 3, 2010, that it was not her intention to insult the memory of the late President Kennedy, saying "My point was grossly misunderstood all over America. JFK is one of my heroes, one of the nation's heroes. John F. Kennedy was a revolutionary; he was not afraid to butt heads with America, and I was not afraid to show America my butt-naked truth."^[19] Coodie and Chike, directors of the Window Seat video, admitted they had bail money ready during filming if Badu was to be arrested.^[19] Badu said the video was a protest against “groupthink” and was inspired by Matt and Kim's music video Lessons Learned. Badu has also said she has "no regrets."^[16]

On Friday, April 2, 2010, Badu was charged with disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor, in relation to the music video. "Sgt. Warren Mitchell said Friday the decision to cite Badu for disorderly conduct — a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 — came after witness Ida Espinosa, 32, of Vernon, offered a sworn statement to police Thursday [April 1]. Espinosa declined to comment to The Associated Press on Friday."^[20] On April 28, 2010, Badu challenged the disorderly conduct charge by pleading not guilty rather than paying the fee by mail.^[21][22] On Friday, August 13, she pleaded, deferred adjudication, meaning that the final judgment in the situation has been deferred until a later time and paid the $500 ticket.

Acting[link]

Badu appeared in the films Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules, House of D, Before the Music Dies, and Dave Chappelle's Block Party. She is reported to have a leading role alongside Mos Def in the upcoming indie film, Bobby Zero, which tells a story of a struggling couple who hit rock bottom after Mos Def's character gives up his dream of artistic aspirations to pursue an advertising corporate job to make ends meet.^[23] She also appeared in scenes of the music video of Miko Marks' 2006 recording "Mama" and Common's video for "The Light" as well as making a special appearance on the sitcom Girlfriends. She was named the latest muse to fashion designer Tom Ford in 2008 as the face of his White Patchouli fragrance. Ford, also longtime friends with Badu, considered her the best choice for the campaign. “I have always considered her a true beauty … she just fits”, says Ford.^[24]

Personal life[link]

backstage Hamburg/Germany 2002

Badu splits her time between Dallas and Brooklyn, NY in her Fort Greene apartment.^[25] Badu has three children. Her eldest child is a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin, born in 1997, with André 3000. Their relationship inspired André 3000 to write the song Ms. Jackson. From 2000 to 2002, she dated rapper Common. On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma Sabti Curry, in her Dallas home; Puma's father is West Coast rapper The D.O.C., who is originally from Dallas, Texas. On February 1, 2009, Badu gave birth to her third child at home, a girl named Mars Merkaba Thedford, with her boyfriend of five years, rapper Jay Electronica.^[26] In attendance were her two children, Puma and Seven.^[27]

After her performance at the 2010 Soul Train Awards, pregnancy rumors spread because of her heavier appearance and her concealing attire.^{[citation needed]} It was said that Badu was pregnant for a fourth time, now by the police officer that allegedly arrested her during the production of her Window Seat music video.^{[citation needed]} Badu quickly dispelled the rumors via her Twitter account December 1, 2010 as she proclaimed "everyone knows I was NEVER ARRESTED for the window seat VIDEO nor put on probation.I only got A TICKET in the mail. and I am NOT PREGNANT".^[28]

Badu also remains an activist in her hometown of South Dallas.^{[citation needed]} Her charity organization, Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D. 501c3), provides community-driven development for inner-city youth through music, dance, theater and visual arts.^{[citation needed]}

In the publication VegNews Magazine, July–August 2008, Ms. Badu stated: "Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And to me, your soul is your intent. If your intent is pure, you are pure".^[29]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Baduizm (1997)
• Mama's Gun (2000)
• Worldwide Underground (2003)
• New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008)
• New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010)

Live albums

• Live (1997)

Tours[link]

• Baduizm Tour (1997)
• Mama's Gun World Tour (2001)
• Frustrated Artist Tour (2003)
• Worldwide Underground Tour (2004)
• Sugar Water Festival Tour (2005)
• Summer Tour (2006)
• The Vortex World Tour (2008)
• Jam Tour (2009)
• Out My Mind, Just in Time World Tour (2010)

Filmography[link]

• All That (1997)
• Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
• The Cider House Rules (1999)
• House of D (2004)
• Before the Music Dies (2006)
• Dave Chapelle's Block Party (2006)
• Yo Gabba Gabba! (2009)
• Re:Generation Music Project (2012)

See also[link]

Poetry portal

• List of awards and nominations received by Erykah Badu
• Neo soul
• Five Percent Nation
• Nation of Islam

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Erykah Badu

• Official website
• Erykah Badu at the Internet Movie Database
• Erykah Badu's page on Gigulate
• Erykah Badu video

Angela Yee
Birth name	Angela Yee
Born	January 3 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Show	The Breakfast Club (co-host)
Station(s)	Power 105.1
Time slot	6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Style	Radio presenter
Country	United States
Previous show(s)	The Morning After with Angela Yee Lip Service with Angela Yee and Leah Rose
Website	http://www.teamyee.tv

Angela Yee is an American radio personality on New York City's radio station Power 105.1.

Early life[link]

Yee was born and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York^[1] to a Montserratian mother and a Chinese father.^[2] When she was 15 years old, she moved to South Orange, New Jersey. Angela attended Wesleyan University,^[3] where she majored in English. Having aspirations of becoming a writer, she gravitated to the marketing and music industries soon after graduation from college. Her first job after college was working at Wu-Tang Management.^[1]

Career[link]

Radio[link]

She hosted Lip Service and The Morning After with Angela Yee on Eminem's radio station, Shade 45, at Sirius Satellite Radio.^[4][5] She started her radio career at Sirius in 2005 as the co-host for The Cipha Sounds Effect. When Cipha Sounds left Sirius in July 2008, Angela took over the hosting duties full time and the show was renamed the Shade 45 Morning Show Starring Angela Yee. The name of the show was later changed to The Morning After with Angela Yee.^[6]

In December 2010, Angela left Shade 45 and began hosting The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1, alongside DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God.^[7] She also works as a correspondent for MTV2's Sucker Free.'^[8]

The Source (Magazine) named Angela Yee as one of the top radio personalities in the country in their "Power 30" issue.^[9]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Angela Yee on Twitter
• Angela Yee on Facebook
• Angela Yee on Myspace
• Team Yee