Worldwide Underground
by Erykah Badu
  • Record Label: Motown
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2003
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Mojo
    90
    An astonishing album... a nu soul master that should ride high on any 21st century 'best of' lists. [Dec 2003, p.109]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Most of this succeeds. [19 Sep 2003, p.86]
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  3. Village Voice
    80
    Although sometimes her reliance on mood threatens to get the better of Worldwide Underground, Badu remains faithful to the old school of flow, a blend of drums and rhythm designed to service soul's best instruments: its vocalists.
  5. Launch.com
    80
    This time around, she and her collaborators have also figured out how to blow away the incense without losing her mystique.
  6. PopMatters
    80
    For the first time in her career, Badu is wearing her own voice.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    May 27, 2011
    75
    At times sprawling and eccentric enough to have her schooling a fictional audience on the flute-accented "Woo," this melding of old-school funk, jazzy instrumentation and dancey bleeps nevertheless flows well.
  8. Vibe
    70
    Some songs are just completely uninspired.... There are definitive highlights on Underground, however, that make this collection essential. [Nov 2003, p.147]
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  9. Uncut
    70
    Frequently intoxicating. [Jan 2004, p.103]
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  10. AllMusic
    70
    As easy as the disc is to slide into, it's far and away the least commercial R&B release of the year.
  11. Pitchfork
    67
    Badu keeps the proceedings here buoyant and relaxed with that supple-lipped scat of hers, stretching out scant syllables at her lounging, loopy leisure.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    66
    The sad fact is that this rarely makes good on the promise of 2000’s masterful Mama’s Gun.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. MichaelD
    Feb 9, 2004
    10
    Astonishing
  2. DuncH
    Jan 9, 2004
    9
    This is a fruity confection which has a positive summery groove. A little indulgent perhaps but so few other artists could pull this off - This is a fruity confection which has a positive summery groove. A little indulgent perhaps but so few other artists could pull this off - she has the best voice around.… Full Review »
  3. BrooklynBrown
    Dec 16, 2003
    6
    Once you get into a flow, the damn track KEEPS flowing...too much air space, sound like she was just trying to fill up space on the CD, at Once you get into a flow, the damn track KEEPS flowing...too much air space, sound like she was just trying to fill up space on the CD, at first I wanted my money back, but I'm kinda feeling track 3 and 4, i hate Love of my life Worldwide Underground.....Badu needs to come with sumthin much better next time, she's still my girl, just a little high on some incense...peace!!!… Full Review »
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