When neo-soul pioneer Erykah Badu debuted in the late '90s, listeners and critics alike noted the strong influence of classic jazz icons from Billie Holiday to Nina Simone on her sound. But from the jump, Badu claimed a wide variety of inspirations. From '60s soul and singer-songwriter folk, to '70s funk and disco, to '80s pop, Badu has synthesized it all into her singular, idiosyncratic sound.