Erykah Badu Window Seat Video: Is Her Stripping Illegal or Just in Poor Taste?

By: Edecio Martinez, Kevin Hayes
Topics: Daily Blotter

Erykah Badu in Music Video "Window Seat" (ErykahBadu.com)

DALLAS (CBS/WCBS) Heads turned during the filming of singer Erykah Badu's latest music video, "Window Seat."

PICTURES: Erykah Badu "Window Seat" Controversy

The video was shot in and around Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas. In it, Dallas native Badu walks down Elm Street while stripping her clothes off one piece at a time - until she's fully nude. Elm Street is the place where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Badu walks between several people on the street, and a few can be seen staring at her as she strolls and strips. You can watch the video on her site. It's slightly NSFW, although parts of her body have been blurred out.

Badu is completely nude as she approaches the spot on Elm where Kennedy was shot (which is marked with an "X" on the pavement). The sound of a gunshot can be heard and Badu collapses as if she has been shot.

Streaks of blue "blood" then spill from her head as she lays in the street, spelling the word "groupthink."

According to the Dallas Morning News, a Dallas city spokesman said that Badu did not have permission for the stunt: "The production company that produced this video never contacted the City to seek the proper permits. This is known as "guerilla filming" where production companies circumvent the proper permitting procedures and usually shoot these scenes in one take knowing that if they are discovered they would face arrest and/or penalties."

On Twitter yesterday, Badu said the video was shot in one take. She also says she heard people yelling things at her, but she kept walking. Badu, who has three children, also said she worried that she might traumatize the children who were there at the time.

Badu has reportedly said the video is intended to launch a discussion of "groupthink."

Story Contributed By CBS Affiliate WCBS.

79 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 79 Comments


by nappyheaded April 5, 2010 9:06 PM EDT: I love the symbolism of the video. This has been done in POP culture before. Let not forget, Alanis Morrisette did a whole video naked...no big deal. Blink 182 did a video naked...no big deal. Red Hot Chili Peppers did a video wearing only socks on their *******...no big deal. Erykah Badu does a video naked...oh no, a black has lost her mind.

I think the whole purpose of this video is to start the conversation. I think the video has served its purpose.; Reply to this comment

by aicirtaps April 2, 2010 3:53 PM EDT

I am a Badu fan....but this video is absurd. Come On, Badu. You could have created a set and hired extras to shoot this video....no do it in a public arena. Our society is going to the dogs because nobody wants to recognize rules, laws, boundaries anymore. It's all about, I do what I want to do...whenever ..and wherever I want. Well, freedom is a precious right that is being stretched beyond its intent. A society without any boundares, or rules etc. ... eventually becomes "barbaric". It's even sadder to think that this woman has children...who's raising them? I hope SOMEBODY is teaching them morals.

Reply to this comment


by kikirp April 3, 2010 12:15 PM EDT: Why is it that people such as yourself and Ms Badu constantly accuse everyone of group think? This woman represents an industry that is 95% left of center on every issue and yet she accuses us of group think.If my accountant stood in front of your home and stripped nude diplaying the word pro-life on his chest I'm willing to bet all of the Badu defenders would not be quite so open minded.


by queenofclubs April 2, 2010 3:33 PM EDT: Wow...that was a pretty powerful and daring video statement, to be sure. What she says at the end is 100% correct, people DO assasinate what they don't understand. There is nothing pruriant or sexy or even sexual about this video. Those who are criticizing just plain don't get it.; Reply to this comment

by baduism March 31, 2010 2:32 AM EDT

People really....ok what about Matt and Kim's video in New York? I think people are missing the concept, ok I understand when some say but oh there were children around but, don't forget these kids have already seen nudity on t.v, video games etc.... And as for record sells Erykah Badu is a great artist her music sells period. Yeah all may not like her music but MANY do. Seems like she is proving her point groupthinking, the majority is NOT always right people, some times you have to do something different and stand alone.

Reply to this comment


by pragmatist1 March 31, 2010 12:58 PM EDT: Badu was disrespectful for what she did in the Plaza where President Kennedy was assassinated and for her to also pretend getting shot shows ahow ignorant and morally bankrupt she is; I'm not exactly surprised by someone like her doing something like this, either. No respect for herself, others and for the person who was gunned down and injured. That event scarred many individuals. She is also ignorant to history and probably doesn't care anything about it.


by Despise_iGnorance April 10, 2010 12:34 PM EDT: to pragmatist1 what do you mean by your not surprise from someone like her??See thats the problem you guys are attacking her beacuse she is black;;i didnt see no one making any blogs when other caucasian musicians made a similar video doing the same thing;;&& erykah respects her culture && in a rather say very unique way;;Why are you afraid of gods creation;;god made your body...why hide the art that is given...this shows how true ignorance to people who dont get her;;i APPLAUD you ERYKA BADU!! "ART IN PERFECTION=WiNDOW SEAT ViDEO"


by museworthy March 31, 2010 1:34 AM EDT: Right. And what about the music video for Matt and Kim's "Lessons Learned" she apparently got this concept from? Isn't that video just as indecent and tasteless? And if so, why didn't it create the same controversy? So many good questions and not enough good answers.
That being said, I personally love this video and the statement it makes is very insightful. Same goes with the Matt and Kim video. True art at its finest.; Reply to this comment


by RickCain4150 March 30, 2010 10:45 PM EDT: What bothers me is the good parts are always fuzzed out.; Reply to this comment


by formrusmcsgt March 30, 2010 8:25 PM EDT: If your talent doesn't carry you, stripping in public might.....; Reply to this comment


by Yrral01 March 30, 2010 7:28 PM EDT: It is in "poor taste" only to our filthy minded prosecutors and meddling moralizers. Curse the lot of them.; Reply to this comment

by iocor March 30, 2010 5:26 PM EDT

"Badu has reportedly said the video is intended to launch a discussion of "groupthink."

First you should try individualthink.

Reply to this comment


by CompletelyFrustrated March 31, 2010 2:02 PM EDT: I agree. She obviously had little support if it was just her and a guy with a camcorder.

She should get charged with public indecency - the video is evidence!


by bruceben9 March 30, 2010 3:59 PM EDT: so she's concerned about the children that may have seen her but making this g##ddam video was more important. what a jerk. get lost erica.; Reply to this comment