Baduizm is the debut album by American
R&B and
neo soul singer-songwriter
Erykah Badu, released on February 11, 1997 by
Kedar Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, where she recorded a 19-song demo,
Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of
Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with
D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with
Universal Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during January to October 1996 at Battery Studios in
New York City, Sigma Sounds & Ivory Studios in
Philadelphia, and Dallas Sound Lab in
Dallas.