Legendary R&B artist Erykah Badu received the prestigious Icon award at Billboard Women in Music 2025. The five-time Grammy winner captivated the audience with a funky performance of “Annie Don’t Wear No Panties” while dressed in an outlandish, conversation-starting outfit.
Summer Walker, who presented the award, praised Badu for her “fearless artistry” and revealed personal connections to the musical pioneer. The ceremony, held at YouTube Theater, celebrated female achievement throughout the music industry.
Badu Celebrates Womanhood in Powerful Acceptance Speech
“Sisters, how y’all feel?” Badu drawled as she surveyed the crowd at YouTube Theater. The Dallas native immediately set the tone for her acceptance speech by proclaiming, “This night is for us!”
Her passionate words honored women as “the womb of the world” and “the most invincible, sexiest, purest, finest.” The audience responded with thunderous applause as Badu thanked God “for giving me the opportunity to be born a woman!”
Showstopping Performance Showcases Signature Style
Before accepting her award, Badu delivered an exuberant rendition of her 2007 non-album track “Annie Don’t Wear No Panties.” The performance perfectly demonstrated why she’s remained an influential musical visionary since her 1997 debut album Baduizm.
Her outfit choice proved equally memorable. Badu wore a black-hooded capelet over a tan-colored oversized pants outfit featuring exaggerated breasts, feet, and booty—stylistically reminiscent of Teletubbies. At one point, she playfully shook her enhanced posterior, drawing raucous laughter from the delighted crowd.
Summer Walker Reveals Special Connection to Musical Idol
Presenter Summer Walker shared deeply personal connections to Badu during the award ceremony. The next-generation R&B star revealed that Badu has been her “fave artist” since she was just 12 years old.
Even more surprisingly, Walker disclosed that Badu, who works as a doula outside her music career, actually delivered Walker’s twin sons. This multifaceted relationship between the two artists highlighted Badu’s wide-ranging influence beyond just her musical contributions.
Gratitude to Mothers and Female Resilience
Badu expanded her acceptance speech to honor mothers everywhere. She specifically acknowledged Tina Knowles in the audience and “Doechii’s mama,” thanking all mothers for providing inspiration and examples of resilience.
“Thank you so much for giving us so much inspiration and examples of what it means to be resilient, what it means to take charge, what it means to be courageous,” Badu expressed. She emphasized the importance of authentic self-expression, stating, “That’s all we gonna be. That’s all I want to be.”
Humorous Anecdote Caps Memorable Acceptance Speech
The musical icon concluded her speech with a charming story about her youngest daughter, Mars. Badu explained how a simple teaching moment during bath time led to an unexpectedly profound question from her then-four-year-old child.
After instructing Mars about female anatomy and noting its importance to the planet, her daughter innocently asked, “Where is the planet’s vagina?” The heartwarming anecdote, which Badu had to repeat for maximum effect, left the entire YouTube Theater audience laughing appreciatively.
Billboard Women in Music Celebrates Female Achievement
Billboard’s annual Women in Music event spotlights outstanding female contributions across all areas of the music industry. The 2025 ceremony continued this tradition with Badu’s Icon award serving as a highlight of the evening.
The event featured numerous influential women from various musical genres and industry roles. Through performances and presentations, the ceremony emphasized the vital importance of female voices and leadership in shaping contemporary music.
Badu’s Legacy of Musical Innovation Continues
The Icon award recognizes Badu’s lasting influence on multiple generations of artists. Since her breakthrough nearly three decades ago, she has consistently pushed boundaries with her eclectic musical style and fearless artistic vision.
Her performance and appearance at the Billboard ceremony demonstrated that even after years in the spotlight, Badu remains as innovative and unpredictable as ever. The Icon award acknowledges not just her past contributions but her ongoing relevance in today’s music landscape.
