When Erykah Badu (nee Erica Wright) came on the scene in 1997, music was in a state of transition. New Jack Swing was basically dead, and pop music was ascending to supremacy. But with a voice that was reminiscent of a modern day Billy Holiday and a style that was Afro-centric, Badu sowed the seeds for what would become neo-soul.

Her debut single, “On & On,” became a hit single, that topped the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart for two weeks, and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100—becoming the first song of the new genre to chart so high.

The success of the song helped her win the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, three Soul Train Music Awards and three Lady of Soul awards in 1997 and 1998.

TAGS: Baduizm, Billboard Hot 100, Billy Holiday, Erykah Badu, Neo Soul, New Jack Swing, On & On, R&B, Retro Centric