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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Worldwide Underground
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Motown
Release Date: 16 September 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Urban, R&B
Summary
Officially an EP, this 10-track effort is actually a full 50 minutes long and contains all new material. Guests include Lenny Kravitz, Zap Mama, Queen Latifah, Angie Stone and Bahamadia.
Also By This Artist: Mama's Gun New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Mojo
An astonishing album... a nu soul master that should ride high on any 21st century 'best of' lists. [Dec 2003, p.109]
Entertainment Weekly
Most of this succeeds. [19 Sep 2003, p.86]
Village Voice
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.
Read Full Review >Launch.com
This time around, she and her collaborators have also figured out how to blow away the incense without losing her mystique.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Frequently intoxicating. [Jan 2004, p.103]
Vibe
Some songs are just completely uninspired.... There are definitive highlights on Underground, however, that make this collection essential. [Nov 2003, p.147]
Pitchfork
Badu keeps the proceedings here buoyant and relaxed with that supple-lipped scat of hers, stretching out scant syllables at her lounging, loopy leisure.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
The sad fact is that this rarely makes good on the promise of 2000s masterful Mamas Gun.
Read Full Review >Blender
There's rambling, digital fiddling and self-indulgent sprawl here, but a sense of purpose, too, even as her lips move on autopilot. [#20, p.114]
All Music Guide
As easy as the disc is to slide into, it's far and away the least commercial R&B; release of the year.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
There's nothing unlistenable... but nothing hugely inspiring, either. [Dec 2003, p.120]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Michael D gave it a 10:
Astonishing
Dunc H gave it a 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 - she has the best voice around.
Brooklyn Brown gave it a 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 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!!!
Damien R gave it a 9:
Love the cd, with the exception of Love of My Life Worldwide...
Zoesha Mountain gave it a 10:
I don't care what anyone says. You shouldn't judge a CD by the review. Listen to it for yourself and let your own mind decide! The CD is the bomb
mayaNN gave it a 10:
Im freakin lovin this one- I think it has made its way to my desert island top 10- you can feel some of the chaka khan influence in some of the tracks
hayley a gave it a 10:
Beautiful.......