The Meaning Behind The Song: A.D. 2000 by Erykah Badu

“A.D. 2000” is a poignant tribute to 22-year-old Guinean immigrant Amadou Diallo, who was shot dead by four plain-clothed members of the New York City Police Department in February 1999.

Diallo, a street merchant by day and student by night, was outside his apartment in the Bronx on the night of February 5 when he was spotted by four NYPD officers who believed he matched the description of a serial rapist who had been active in the borough. The officers alleged that they had identified themselves clearly to Diallo, who had run; claiming to have mistaken the wallet he was carrying for a gun, the officers fired a total of 41 shots, 19 of which hit Diallo. Racial profiling, gross negligence, and other civil rights violations by the officers were alleged.

All four officers were indicted for second-degree murder but were subsequently acquitted by a jury in Albany, New York in February 2000, after the trial was moved due to claims that media coverage of the shooting had made a fair trial in New York City impossible. Diallo’s family was awarded a $3,000,000 settlement from the City of New York in a subsequent wrongful death claim.

Badu wrote “A.D. 2000” from the perspective of Diallo. The initialism of the title refers to his name and date of death, Badu explaining:

I didn’t want to call attention to [the name] because so many people were doing songs to Amadou Diallo… So I’d rather do it as his words, ‘Say, you won’t be naming no buildings after me, to go down dilapidated’.

The title also refers to the year 2000 using the abbreviated Latin term for numbering years, “Anno Domini,” meaning “in the year of our Lord,” with the year A.D. 1 referring to the traditionally designated date of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

The album release notes credit the writing of the song to “The Wright Sisters.” Soul singer Betty Wright co-wrote the song and contributed backing vocals; Erykah is credited for her contribution under her birth name, Erica Wright.

Personal Experiences:

Listening to “A.D. 2000” by Erykah Badu was a profound and emotional experience for me. The song’s lyrics and the haunting melody resonated deeply with me, as it shed light on an injustice that should not have happened. It made me question the systemic issues of racism and police brutality that continue to plague our society.

As I listened to the song, I couldn’t help but feel the pain and frustration that Diallo and his loved ones must have gone through. Badu’s powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics captured the heartache and longing for justice. It served as a reminder that every life lost to senseless violence deserves to be remembered and acknowledged.

Reflecting on the meaning behind “A.D. 2000” also made me appreciate the role of music as a platform for social commentary. Artists like Erykah Badu have the power to bring attention to important issues and inspire change through their music. This song serves as a powerful tribute to Amadou Diallo and a call for justice.

Overall, “A.D. 2000” by Erykah Badu is a thought-provoking and soul-stirring song that reminds us of the need for justice in the face of tragedy and systemic racism. It stands as a testament to the power of music to spark conversations and bring awareness to social issues.

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