Erykah Badu Denies Copying Gwyneth Paltrow With Vagina Incense

BY Erika Marie 2.2K Views
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Erykah Badu Gwyneth Paltrow
Erykah Badu's "Badu's P*ssy" incense recently sold out & critics accused the singer of copying the actress's vagina candle success.

She's been hailed as an innovator who is never a duplicator, so it was important for Erykah Badu to address recent accusations.  Earlier this month, Erykah shared with 10 Magazine that she had plans of releasing her own incense with the "superpower" of her vagina. "There’s an urban legend that my p*ssy changes men," Erykah said. “I took lots of pairs of my panties, cut them up into little pieces and burned them... Even the ash is part of it.” Since she claims to not wear underwear anymore, it wasn't much of a loss.

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This news came a month after Gwyneth Paltrow sold out of her $75 "This Smells Like My Vagina" candle. The actress's lady parts made headlines following the news, and soon, Erykah's incense sold out, as well—and in 20 minutes, no less. It didn't take long for people to accuse Erykah of plainly copying Gwyneth after seeing the actress's success. However, Erykah took to Twitter to shut down those rumors by telling the world that she's been working on this for years.

"My incense was not inspired by Gwenith Paltrow," Erykah wrote. "That’s a whole nother kinda pu$ $¥. I been in the lab for years. I stay on my pu$ $¥ muscle hustle." Erykah made sure to show Gwyneth love. "Panties off to Gwen’s candle! we love @goop.” The singer may not have copied Gwyneth, but rest assured, there will be plenty of others who will certainly use their blueprint in the future.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.