Erykah Badu’s sophomore album Mama’s Gun is one of the definitive albums of neo-soul alongside her GRAMMY Award-winning debut Baduizm. It was on Mama’s Gun that Badu brought us the classics “Bag Lady” and “Didn’t Cha Know,” which is enjoying a renaissance of sorts almost 23 years after its release. Jazz singer José James remade “Didn’t Cha Know” on his incredible Erykah Badu tribute album On & On, which was released in January. Now rapper Denzel Curry tries the song on for size with a sizzling cover featuring Badu’s Soulquarians brother Bilal.
Denzel recorded “Didn’t Cha Know” for his Live At Electric Lady EP released exclusively on Spotify. Per the title, the project was made during a live session at New York City’s famed Electric Lady Studios – the exact same studio where Badu recorded Mama’s Gun in 1999 and 2000. We don’t know if that was a cosmic coincidence, an inspired choice or if he was guided by the spirit of J Dilla, but Denzel rocked it regardless.
Beautifully backed by the Cold Blooded Soul Band, who accompanied Curry on his Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music last June, the rapper doesn’t spit one single bar on his rendition of “Didn’t Cha Know,” choosing instead to sing the whole song. And he actually does a pretty good job on the introspective tune. Curry handles all the lead vocals while Bilal – who we thought would be the one doing the heavy lifting – falls to the background in a supporting role.
We didn’t know that Denzel Curry had it in him, but his remake of “Didn’t Cha Know” is an impressive take on a beloved track from a legend’s songbook. May Erykah Badu continue to get her flowers from artists by way of dope covers such as this.
Listen to Denzel Curry’s “Didn’t Cha Know” featuring Bilal below, and stick around to stream his Live At Electric Lady EP in its entirety if you’d like to hear him spit more fire with a banging live band.
