Erykah Badu Charged Over Nude Video
It was not such a Good Friday for Erykah Badu. The neo-soul songstress was charged with disorderly conduct for her nude “Window Seat” music video.
The controversial clip was filmed guerilla style on March 13 in downtown Dallas’ Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. It features Badu removing articles of clothing while walking down the street, eventually ending up naked. The song is the first single from her new album New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh.
Among those who witnessed the shoot was nine-year-old Kayleigh Espinosa. Her mother Ida Espinosa filed a complaint with police, resulting in the decision to cite Badu for disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. “She was exposed to a level of indecency that most children shouldn’t be exposed to,” Espinosa told Dallas’ Fox 4 News.
Sergeant Warren Mitchell explained the decision to charge the singer. “Having a fact witness that was there is what let us file the charges,” he stated. “After much discussion, we feel that these charges best fit her conduct. She disrobed in a public place without regard to individuals and small children who were close by.”
Badu took to Twitter to respond to the charge. “Charged on good friday …..return of the ankh,” she tweeted. “1 DOLLAR FOR EVERY NEW AMERYKAH PRODUCT SOLD AT GOOD RECORDS TOMORROW WILL GO TOWARD MY BAIL MONEY.THANK YOU . (kidding)but im just sayin.”
A citation will be mailed to Badu. She can either fight the charge or pay the fine.