My earliest memory of Erykah Badu takes me back to 1997, when my older brother Daryl would light up incense and blast her debut album "Baduizm" (I'm sure to woo some girl). While the overly-fragrant smoke and jazzy-soulful sounds were enough to put me in a trance, I was mostly intrigued by Badu's colorful head wraps and matching spaghetti strap dresses. Before the kids and the famous booty, the Dallas native was petite on top just like me but embraced her femininity in Afrocentric fashions.
Once she ditched those towering turbans, Badu got even more creative with her wardrobe. From donning top hats that looked like they came straight out of a Tim Burton film to pairing '60s-style fit and flare dresses with futuristic bangles, she continues to rock stages today in get-ups that are just as powerful as her voice.
In celebration of Erykah Badu's 42nd birthday on Tuesday (Feb. 26), we're taking a look back at some of her most eccentric fashion statements over the years. Be sure to vote for your favorite in our slideshow.
Flip through our many other style evolutions here.
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