Erykah Badu had zero interest in performing for a lifeless crowd, and she made that extremely clear during a recent show where she halted the music mid-performance to call out several front-row audience members for not engaging.
In a now-viral clip from the concert, Badu is seen walking across the stage before turning to her band and asking them to cut the music. She then addressed the crowd directly, singling out the people closest to the stage.
"I'm not doing shit else until these people stand up," Badu said, pointing toward the front row. She then honed in on one person in particular.
"Especially you. You get your ass up. Where she at? Did she leave? Good," said Badu, but she didn't stop there as she called out another attendee who apparently sat with a stony expression throughout the show.
"Some n***a over here trying to mean mug me the whole time in the front row with his arms folded," she said, clearly amused but also unbothered. "You paid your money to do that? Thank you."
The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers as Badu resumed the performance, proving once again that she's not afraid to break the fourth wall, or set the tone, when the energy isn't right.
Fans online have reacted overwhelmingly in support of the moment, praising Badu for protecting her vibe and demanding participation from the crowd. Others joked that getting called out by Erykah Badu might be a spiritual awakening in itself.
Check out some reactions below.
