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Singer Erykah Badu Fined, Gets Probation for Music Video Striptease

By Laura Strachan, Esq. on August 18, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Singer Erykah Badu has been fined $500 and will serve 6 months probation for her public music video striptease in Dallas, Texas. The 39 year-old singer got into some legal trouble while filming her music video, "Window Seat," which involved striping off all of her clothes and feigning a shooting in Dealy Plaza -- the same location that President John F. Kennedy was assasinated.

The police did not like their window seat into the music video production and issued the singer a disorderly conduct citation for her behavior, according to People Magazine. The video was shot "guerilla style" in one take, with Badu walking towards the camera as her clothes slowly get left behind. Badu commented on the issue (well, kinda), "I thought it was a move for women and men and children who feel they weren't good enough. This is just me. I am good enough. I felt it was important enough to do. More pros and than cons."

Disorderly conduct charges can range from public nudity to dogs barking too loud in a residental neighborhood. The thrust of the analysis turns on whether the words and/or actions of the indivudal compromise the public's right to peace. In this case, children and bystanders were offended by the naked singer's lack of clothing. Public nudity is one of the more commonly recognized types of disorderly conduct charges, and with the video footage to prove it, there was really no dispute.

The video striptease was ultimately cut from the final product. The Dallas, Texas native will face a criminal conviction on her record if she somehow violates the terms of her probation. No comment as to whether Erykah Badu "feels good enough" after a disorderly conduct charge on her record.

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