Erykah Badu On & OnWatch at the source

Erykah Badu, the American neo-soul singer-songwriter, released "On & On" in December 1996 as the lead single from her debut album, *Baduizm*, which was released on February 11, 1997. The song is notable for its blend of R&B, soul, and hip-hop elements, showcasing Badu's distinctive vocals and lyrical depth. The accompanying music video, directed by Paul Hunter, portrays Badu as a maid in an African-American household, performing daily chores, with scenes inspired by the 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker's *The Color Purple*. The video received critical acclaim, earning nominations for Best Female Video and Best R&B Video at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. "On & On" achieved commercial success, reaching number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song also earned Badu a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1998.