I confess I was not a fan of Erykah Badu until just recently. Don't get me wrong; it wasn't because I disliked her. Far from it. In fact, I had simply never taken the opportunity to listen to her music. It is only now I realise I have been missing out. Intrigued by the chance to see the lady perform live at London's Somerset House, I was completely unaware of how magnificent she would prove to be.

Born in Dallas, Texas in 1972 Erykah had strong performance influences from her mother a theatrical actress from an early age. Accompanying her on stage aged four to sing and dance it seems as though her talents were obvious even then and continued to grow and mature as she did. This is something that may well have been instilled in Erykah as during an interlude in the concert her small daughter Puma, born in 2004, was brought on stage much to the delight of the crowd and Badu held her in her arms as she continued to sing. Daughter Puma is the second of Badu's children with son Seven, fathered by Outkast's Andre Benjamin, being the elder of the two.

By the time she had hit fourteen Erykah was involved with the free-styling method for a local radio station. Her success only continued to flourish: she was signed to Legacy Entertainment with her band Erykah Free. This breakthrough was the start of the continuing success to come. However, it would mean the end of Erykah Free when Badu was eventually signed to Kedar Entertainment. Kedar Massenburg saw her potential and decided to market Erykah as a solo artist.

In 1996 she began to record the "Baduizm" set and by February 1997 the album was released reaching platinum status as Badu's popularity soared. She was becoming established and receiving praise for her well-deserved efforts. 'On and On', her first single, saw Erykah walk away with 'Best Female Newcomer' at the Soul Train awards. Erykah has supported such revered names as 'A Tribe Called Quest', 'Arrested Development' and 'D'Angelo' in her rise to world-wide acclaim.

Erykah has a natural air of cool about her, the kind of presence some stars only dream about (or pay a team of professionals to lamely achieve). Singing songs such as 'Kiss Me on My Neck', 'Bag Lady' and 'Appletree' followed cheers and much appreciation from the crowd at Somerset House. Although I was new to this soulstress, her magnificent voice was undeniably stunning. Her music is a mix of soul, jazz and hip-hop-inspired songs. Other albums that followed such as 'Mama's Gun', released in 2000, and 'Worldwide Underground', released in 2003, continued to display her ever-evolving success as a singer/songwriter.

Badu clearly has an impressive following and witnessing the power of her voice and seeing the way she worked the stage, it is apparent why. As my knowledge heightens so does my adoration towards her. Badu has many strings to her bow, including acting in films such as Blues Brothers 2000 and The Cider House Rules and is involved in her charity in south Dallas called Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.) .

Not only is she an accomplished singer, but a graduate, a mother and above all a reputable, charismatic female icon. I feel compelled to rush out and buy all of her albums to listen to the full scope of her unique and captivating sound. Hearing her sing and watching her perform live gives you the kind of envious feeling where you wish you had the raw talent to command the crowd and the respect the way she so effortlessly does.