Erykah Badu Drops Surprise Cover Of Drake's "Hotline Bling" + Announces New Mixtape

This is really happening. What a time to be alive. Just moments ago, Erykah Badu shared her own cover of Drake's "Hotline Bling," turning the MC's somber things-sure-have-changed rap cut into a (slightly) brighter rendition, loaded with live band instrumentation--with production lead by Dallas up-and-comer Zach Witness. This new version is over seven minutes long and features a gorgeous, easy-floating coda that is certainly essential listening for any fan anywhere. It's excellent--a fitting homage to Drake's original joint and that seems to level up with each passing measure. I mean, c'mon, this is E. Badu we're talking about. You knew it was gonna be great before this web page finished fully loading.

Most exciting of all, perhaps, is the word that this Drake cover is part of a larger mixtape, dubbed "BUT U CAINT USE MY PHONE," which Erykah will be dropping soon...quite soon. And for those Drake haters out there already getting ready to type a "Why'd she have to pick THIS song tho?" reply, maybe sit the debate out this time? "Hotline Bling" is an excellent distillation of the semi-shameful places our minds go in the wee small hours of the night. It's about dealing with change and the way(s) our little digital devices make it so very easy to sabotage ourselves. It's certifiably dope, and if you needed any other evidence--here's Badu's co-sign. Listen to Erykah Badu's take on Drake's "Hotline Bling" below as quick as you can, before everybody knows and you feel left out.

Credits:

E. BADU

HOT LINE BLING/ ZACH WITNESS production

zach witness : keys / arrangement

ethan worland : brushes

ben hixon : guitar

bells : e.badu

vocals : e.badu

co written by : 7 benjamin