Rewrite and translate this title 50 Questions With Erykah Badu to Japanese between 50 and 60 characters. Do not include any introductory or extra text; return only the title in Japanese.

Erykah Badu is a woman of many talents. After releasing one of the greatest albums of all time – Baduizm, in 1997 – and subsequently birthing a new genre of music, she’s gone on to pursue several ventures. More than simply the legendary godmother of neo soul, the 53-year-old is a doula, a business woman, the founder of her own brand of incense and cannabis, a fashion icon, and a DJ, too.

After being honoured with the CFDA’s 2024 Fashion Icon award last month, Badu is headed to London. Not quite as the Badu that we know, but as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, who will play at Tottenham megaclub Drumsheds tomorrow (December 6), alongside Honey Dijon no less. It may have been 14 years since she last released an album, yet somehow, Badu finds a way to keep us fed. Whether it’s with her messages, gigs, wellness retreats, fashion moments or DJ appearances, she’s booked and busy. Though, that’s not to say there’s no hope for another record, as you will see in her answers below.

Badu has become something of an oracle for pearls of wisdom and frank opinions. Her 50 answers are no different – take question number 41, for example, while her favourite swear word may look like a typo, it’s not. She simply rejects the word. Elsewhere, she sets her mantra for the new year and reflects on the proudest moment of her career to date. We’ll meet her on the dancefloor, but until then, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown answers a few burning questions.

1. How are you today? Exquisite.

2. Where do you call home? Dallas, Texas.

3. What’s on your to-do list today? Today, I have to pack up my tour bus and head back to Dallas.

4. Last month you won the CFDA Fashion Icon award, how did it feel to be honoured with that? I felt very proud and seen.

5. Do you have a favourite look you’ve ever worn? Every look is a winner as long as I have my amulets and talismans.

6. Is there anything you regret wearing? No.

7. Who is your style icon? My mother.

8. If you could swap wardrobes with anyone who would it be? Cynthia Erivo.

9. How would you describe your style in one word? Ignorant. My style has no understanding of what fashion is.

10. Which fashion designers do you like working with? Independent young artists.

“I don’t have any alter egos, but I do have aliases. All of the aliases share the same ego: Low Down Loretta Brown, Annie the Alchemist, Manuela Maria Mexico, SHE ILL, Butchie Betty, Sarah Bellam, Badoula Oblingada, and Analogue Girl” – Erykah Badu

11. Can you give our readers one piece of fashion advice? Dress for your mood.

12. What’s been your favourite album of the year so far? Tine Wolf Rebellion by Joi. Joi is an artist that is continuing her evolution.

13. What was the last song you listened to? Mobb Deep, The Realest.

14. Do you remember the first album you ever bought? I bought a 45 by The Doobie Brothers. On one side was Minute by Minute and on the other side was What a Fool Believes. I must have been seven or eight years old.

15. What’s an album that you wish you’d featured on? Andre [3000]’s current album.

16. You’re DJing in London next week, where did you get your DJ name from? My DJ name, Loretta Brown, was inspired by a character from the 1975 film Cooley High. In one scene there’s a house party where the main character tries to get the attention of a character named Loretta Brown. I was struck by the way she pronounced her name in that scene, and it stuck with me.

17. Do you have any other alter egos? I don’t have any alter egos, but I do have aliases. All of the aliases share the same ego: Low Down Loretta Brown, Annie the Alchemist, Manuela Maria Mexico, SHE ILL, Butchie Betty, Sarah Bellam, Badoula Oblingada, and Analogue Girl.

18. Are you excited to play at Drumsheds’ Hydra event alongside Honey Dijon? Yes, I’m excited. I can’t wait to feel the energy in that room.

19. What’s one track you’re excited to play when you’re in London? I don’t have a set list, I just improvise.

20. How do UK audiences compare to the rest of the world? They have always been very grandmothering to me. No judgement, just appreciation.

21. Do you have any favourite things to do in London? Record dig.

22. What was the last thing you ate? Homemade vegan pizza with nut cheese and red bell peppers, made by my daughter Puma.

23. What’s your favourite food to cook? I prefer raw dining and I love to put together a really good charcuterie board.

24. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Breathwork.

25. What’s the last thing you do before bed? Breathwork.

26. You just starred in The Piano Lesson. Would you like to do more movies? Yes.

27. When was the last time you were somebody’s doula? In March this year.

28. How do you know when you want to be a doula for someone? If they are committed to the diet I prescribe everything else kinda falls into place.

29. What’s your proudest moment of this year so far? It’s too soon to say. It ain’t over yet but I’ve won everything.

30. What’s the proudest moment of your career so far? This year because it mimics 1997, except I get to see it in real time, so I get a chance to be proud. Before, I only had a chance to feel the work. This time I get to see the fruit.

“I like being recognised but I think ‘Neo Soul’ is a corny name. I’d call it Queen of Molecular Cellular, Atomic Sound Frequency” – Erykah Badu

31. How would you describe 2024 in one word? Blessings.

32. What’s your mantra for 2025? It’s not on you, it’s in you!

33. What’s something that you predict will happen in 2025? I will have peace of mind.

34. How do you wind down and relax? I get on stage.

35. Do you ever binge TV? Never.

36. Do you have a favourite movie or TV show? The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie.

37. What was the last thing you Googled? ‘How does vibracoustic therapy work?’

38. Who would play you in a movie about your life? I wanna play myself!

39. Which musicians have had the biggest impact on you? Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pink Floyd, and Joni Michell.

40. Did you ever meet them? All except Joni Mitchell and Maurice White.

41. What’s your favourite curse word? Can’t.

42. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? My grandma told me, “Keep livin’ it will come to you.”

43. What piece of advice would you give to an emerging artist? Never ask someone if they like your music, only ask how it makes them feel. It’s too late for any other kind of opinions, especially after it’s done.

44. You’ve done music, fashion, film, wellness, doula-ing. What’s something you’ve never tried that you’d like to? Get second place.

45. Will there ever be another Erykah Badu album? I’m sure there will.

46. How do you feel about the title ‘Queen of Neo Soul’? I like being recognised but I think ‘Neo Soul’ is a corny name. I’d call it Queen of Molecular Cellular, Atomic Sound Frequency.

47. Who would be your dream dinner party guest? Neil deGrasse Tyson.

48. What was the first thing that made you smile today? My daughter Mars bringing me a green juice.

49. If you hadn’t started making music what do you think you’d be doing now? Teaching school.

50. What’s the key to staying woke? The Five Doctors: Dr Sleep, Dr Sun, Dr Nutrition, Dr Exercise and Dr Spirit.

Erykah Badu is a woman of many talents. After releasing one of the greatest albums of all time – Baduizm, in 1997 – and subsequently birthing a new genre of music, she’s gone on to pursue several ventures. More than simply the legendary godmother of neo soul, the 53-year-old is a doula, a business woman, the founder of her own brand of incense and cannabis, a fashion icon, and a DJ, too.

After being honoured with the CFDA’s 2024 Fashion Icon award last month, Badu is headed to London. Not quite as the Badu that we know, but as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, who will play at Tottenham megaclub Drumsheds tomorrow (December 6), alongside Honey Dijon no less. It may have been 14 years since she last released an album, yet somehow, Badu finds a way to keep us fed. Whether it’s with her messages, gigs, wellness retreats, fashion moments or DJ appearances, she’s booked and busy. Though, that’s not to say there’s no hope for another record, as you will see in her answers below.

Badu has become something of an oracle for pearls of wisdom and frank opinions. Her 50 answers are no different – take question number 41, for example, while her favourite swear word may look like a typo, it’s not. She simply rejects the word. Elsewhere, she sets her mantra for the new year and reflects on the proudest moment of her career to date. We’ll meet her on the dancefloor, but until then, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown answers a few burning questions.

1. How are you today? Exquisite.

2. Where do you call home? Dallas, Texas.

3. What’s on your to-do list today? Today, I have to pack up my tour bus and head back to Dallas.

4. Last month you won the CFDA Fashion Icon award, how did it feel to be honoured with that? I felt very proud and seen.

5. Do you have a favourite look you’ve ever worn? Every look is a winner as long as I have my amulets and talismans.

6. Is there anything you regret wearing? No.

7. Who is your style icon? My mother.

8. If you could swap wardrobes with anyone who would it be? Cynthia Erivo.

9. How would you describe your style in one word? Ignorant. My style has no understanding of what fashion is.

10. Which fashion designers do you like working with? Independent young artists.

“I don’t have any alter egos, but I do have aliases. All of the aliases share the same ego: Low Down Loretta Brown, Annie the Alchemist, Manuela Maria Mexico, SHE ILL, Butchie Betty, Sarah Bellam, Badoula Oblingada, and Analogue Girl” – Erykah Badu

11. Can you give our readers one piece of fashion advice? Dress for your mood.

12. What’s been your favourite album of the year so far? Tine Wolf Rebellion by Joi. Joi is an artist that is continuing her evolution.

13. What was the last song you listened to? Mobb Deep, The Realest.

14. Do you remember the first album you ever bought? I bought a 45 by The Doobie Brothers. On one side was Minute by Minute and on the other side was What a Fool Believes. I must have been seven or eight years old.

15. What’s an album that you wish you’d featured on? Andre [3000]’s current album.

16. You’re DJing in London next week, where did you get your DJ name from? My DJ name, Loretta Brown, was inspired by a character from the 1975 film Cooley High. In one scene there’s a house party where the main character tries to get the attention of a character named Loretta Brown. I was struck by the way she pronounced her name in that scene, and it stuck with me.

17. Do you have any other alter egos? I don’t have any alter egos, but I do have aliases. All of the aliases share the same ego: Low Down Loretta Brown, Annie the Alchemist, Manuela Maria Mexico, SHE ILL, Butchie Betty, Sarah Bellam, Badoula Oblingada, and Analogue Girl.

18. Are you excited to play at Drumsheds’ Hydra event alongside Honey Dijon? Yes, I’m excited. I can’t wait to feel the energy in that room.

19. What’s one track you’re excited to play when you’re in London? I don’t have a set list, I just improvise.

20. How do UK audiences compare to the rest of the world? They have always been very grandmothering to me. No judgement, just appreciation.

21. Do you have any favourite things to do in London? Record dig.

22. What was the last thing you ate? Homemade vegan pizza with nut cheese and red bell peppers, made by my daughter Puma.

23. What’s your favourite food to cook? I prefer raw dining and I love to put together a really good charcuterie board.

24. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Breathwork.

25. What’s the last thing you do before bed? Breathwork.

26. You just starred in The Piano Lesson. Would you like to do more movies? Yes.

27. When was the last time you were somebody’s doula? In March this year.

28. How do you know when you want to be a doula for someone? If they are committed to the diet I prescribe everything else kinda falls into place.

29. What’s your proudest moment of this year so far? It’s too soon to say. It ain’t over yet but I’ve won everything.

30. What’s the proudest moment of your career so far? This year because it mimics 1997, except I get to see it in real time, so I get a chance to be proud. Before, I only had a chance to feel the work. This time I get to see the fruit.

“I like being recognised but I think ‘Neo Soul’ is a corny name. I’d call it Queen of Molecular Cellular, Atomic Sound Frequency” – Erykah Badu

31. How would you describe 2024 in one word? Blessings.

32. What’s your mantra for 2025? It’s not on you, it’s in you!

33. What’s something that you predict will happen in 2025? I will have peace of mind.

34. How do you wind down and relax? I get on stage.

35. Do you ever binge TV? Never.

36. Do you have a favourite movie or TV show? The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie.

37. What was the last thing you Googled? ‘How does vibracoustic therapy work?’

38. Who would play you in a movie about your life? I wanna play myself!

39. Which musicians have had the biggest impact on you? Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pink Floyd, and Joni Michell.

40. Did you ever meet them? All except Joni Mitchell and Maurice White.

41. What’s your favourite curse word? Can’t.

42. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? My grandma told me, “Keep livin’ it will come to you.”

43. What piece of advice would you give to an emerging artist? Never ask someone if they like your music, only ask how it makes them feel. It’s too late for any other kind of opinions, especially after it’s done.

44. You’ve done music, fashion, film, wellness, doula-ing. What’s something you’ve never tried that you’d like to? Get second place.

45. Will there ever be another Erykah Badu album? I’m sure there will.

46. How do you feel about the title ‘Queen of Neo Soul’? I like being recognised but I think ‘Neo Soul’ is a corny name. I’d call it Queen of Molecular Cellular, Atomic Sound Frequency.

47. Who would be your dream dinner party guest? Neil deGrasse Tyson.

48. What was the first thing that made you smile today? My daughter Mars bringing me a green juice.

49. If you hadn’t started making music what do you think you’d be doing now? Teaching school.

50. What’s the key to staying woke? The Five Doctors: Dr Sleep, Dr Sun, Dr Nutrition, Dr Exercise and Dr Spirit.