Erykah Badu Backlash for Swaziland Gig

Singer Erykah Badu found herself in a Dennis Rodman kind of situation when she recently traveled to Swaziland to entertain King Mswati III on his 46th birthday celebration. The king’s birthday is actually April 19th which fell on a Saturday thi syear. If it wasn’t for Easter, it would have been celebrated on the Friday before or the Monday after so Mswati could declare a national holiday. But he postponed it for a week so it would not coincide with Easter celebrations.

Anyway, Badu was brought over to Swaziland by Jacob the Jeweler, designer to many celebrities. Slate has an “opinion piece called “Twerking for a Dictator,” slamming Badu for participating in the celebration and decrying her explanations as to why she decided to sing Happy Birthday to the Swazi king. She also gave him presents — a $100 bill and a and give did it.

We checked with the newspapers of several African nations around Swaziland, but South Africa was the only one we could find an article on after the fact. IOL News reported on the flap in “Erykah under fire for Swazi King’s song.” Some comments felt that the West really does not understand African culture and should mind their own business.

The Swazi Observer reported on the celebration itself and what a good time was had by all. Some of the other gifts King Mswati got must have made Badu’s $100 bill look pretty dumb, though maybe it was meant to represent 100 years. The Observer said: “His Majesty King Mswati III was showered with gifts… from grand pianos, cattle, Cuban cigars, exclusive art work to mention a few.” He also got a custom made watch from Jacob the Jeweler.

Badu was not the only performer, though apparently the only American. There were also acts from Egypt and Taiwan. The King’s daughter Princess Sikhanyiso gave a performance of her song, Hail Your Majesty, accompanied by her younger siblings and backup dancers.