Synopsis

Introduced as "a story by Erykah Badu," the video follows a woman and the man she desires across three different lifetimes. Their connection unfolds in "Motherland, 1637 A.D.," during "The Movement, 1968," and in "Motherland, 3037." Each period gives the romance a different social and visual setting, while Badu's performance ties the timelines together. The recurring relationship reflects the song's central idea: two people who cannot be together in the present may find one another in another lifetime.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video is divided into three clearly identified periods: "Motherland, 1637 A.D.," "The Movement, 1968," and "Motherland, 3037."

• Its opening title, "A Story by Erykah Badu," presents the clip as a short narrative rather than a conventional performance video.

• The video features appearances by André 3000, Method Man, and Pete Rock.

• André 3000 appeared during his relationship with Badu, adding a personal dimension to the video's central story of romantic connection across different lifetimes.

• "Next Lifetime" was released from Badu's 1997 debut album, Baduizm, an album widely associated with the emergence of the neo-soul movement.