KURT: Texas singer and songwriter Erykah Badu came virtually out of nowhere a month ago, popping up, with her debut album, "Baduizm," at number two on the "Billboard" pop chart. She did do a duet with D'Angelo last year on the soundtrack of the movie "High School High," and while her given name is Erica Wright, she says she adopted "Badu" as a tribute to old jazz scat singers. Seeking to learn even more, we stopped by the set of her latest video, where we found the singer busy on both sides of the camera.

MTV: In an industry forever on the hunt for the next buzz, newcomer Erykah Badu's sound resonates more like a soulful hum. As she criss-crosses man-made musical boundaries, the sultry singer displays a down-home style too sly to be pinned down by any one label, except the one she chose for herself, "Badu".

ERYKAH BADU: Badu is paying homage to scat music, be-bop music. Badu is one of the things I'm always singing in music (SHE BREAKS INTO SONG) "Badu, Badu!" Had a whole song just singing that.

My father wrote me a letter later on telling me what Badu meant. He said in Islamic it means to manifest light and truth and that's what I'm doing. And he wrote at the end of the letter, "Good choice, kid"

MTV: Not the only good choice she's made during her short career. By signing with Keedar Entertainment, a new label whose hunger for a breakthrough act was matched by considerable marketing savvy, this virtually unknown artist was able to launch her debut record into the number two spot on the "Billboard" album chart in its first week of release, a feat that didn't seem to shock the 26 year old singer.

BADU [Quicktime Movie 1.4 MB]: I was very happy. But I wasn't surprised 'cause I planned it y'know. You never expect for your music to do not well.

MTV: With that kind of self-confidence, it's no wonder that she decided to expand her role in the creative process and co-direct her second video.

BADU: I would have directed the first one if I could. Everything that I need to be conveyed, I can give the direction for you know without stepping on anybody's toes cause I'm the director.

MTV: Being in control also allows Erykah to make sure her work stays true to what she perceives is at the core of her art, that essence of herself she refers to as "Baduizm."

BADU [Quicktime Movie 1.9 MB]: Baduizm is lighting my instincts, lighting my candles, knowing the creator, knowing myself. It's not a religion. It's an experience. I just want to share the things that make me feel good with you. What's your ism?

KURT: Erykah Badu will start a U.S. tour on April 8th in Washington, D.C.