Ebony Listening Lounge hosts CD release parties for Erykah Badu

Jet, Oct 27, 2003

The EBONY Listening Lounge (ELL), in conjunction with Universal/Motown Music Group, recently hosted a series of listening parties for Erykah Badu.

The listening parties, held in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, coincided with the release of Badu's new CD, Worldwide Underground.

The release party at the Lobby in New York was given on the day that the CD hit music stores. That event drew industry executives and performers, including The Last Poets and Dead Prez, who came out to show their support for Badu.

The ELL hosted a pre-listening party for Badu in Los Angeles at Ivar. The Chicago event, sponsored by Motions, was at Harry's Velvet Room. Badu, who was the cover subject for the September issue of EBONY, made an appearance at all three affairs.

The ELL was born last year as a way to feature new or established artists during a private event held at a trendy location while highlighting the artist's current project.

Meshell Ndegeocello was the first artist to be featured for the ELL. Last year a CD release party, sponsored by Coca-Cola, was held for the project Cookie: The Anthropological Mix Tape.

Late last year up-and-coming R&B artists on the Universal Records label were showcased during the Universal Records' Organic Soul Night, co-sponsored by EBONY (JET, Dec. 16, 2002). Artists like Dani Stevenson, Famil and Rashad performed. This event was sponsored by Coca-Cola.