​THE GOOD IN BADU — JANUARY 15, 1999

RING OF LIFE: Erykah Badu rocks her jewels at Tower Records Oak Lawn on Jan. 11, 1999. (Photo: DANIEL KUSNER.)

The ebony mistress of soul Erykah Badu was in Oak Lawn on Monday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Tower Records.

Resplendent in enormously jeweled rings and one of her signature chapeaus, the Dallas-based singer gra­ciously signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans. 

The Grammy-award winning vocalist took a moment to express a kind message of love and peace to her queer devotees. 

"Be who you are forever and ever. And just hold onto yourself. Because a lot of times, that's the only thing we have to hold onto," Badu said.  "I thank all my gay fans for their support. Just continue to send the love to me — but mainly to each other. ​Peace." 

Badu is up against celebrated diva Lauryn Hill for two awards at this year's Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album.

When asked if she's going to let Hill (who has 10 nominations) walk away with all the awards, Badu said, "Oh, that's okay if she wins them. Because she's my sister."

— DANIEL KUSNER

Badu flashes a smile at Dallas' Tower Records in Oak Lawn on Jan. 11, 1999. (Photo: DANIEL KUSNER.)