Poster by 2018 DART student art contest winner Vendanti Naktode.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) announced a new partnership with Erykah Badu, a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and avid DART rider. The public transportation agency will dedicate three of its buses and two of its lights to honor the Dallas-based musician, which will be unveiled Feb. 24.
The female soloist attended Booker T. Washington in the nineties where she learned all she knows about music. Regularly, the artist took DART as her way to get around Dallas.
“Collabing with DART has been fun – new for me and new for them,” said Erykah Badu. “I love my hometown, and riding DART is still cool.”
New DART designs will feature artwork and images of the Grammy Award-winning artist, along with creations from Badu inspired by her life.
As part of the joint campaign, Badu has accumulated a list of her favorite East Dallas dartable spots.
Some of these include:
The Factory in Deep Ellum – Bus 009 or 249
Booker T. Washington High School – Bus 237 or Red Line
Lula B’s Antique Shop – Bus 102
Good Records – Bus 214
Kalachandji’s – Bus 214 or Bus 249
“DART is thrilled to partner with Erykah Badu for our yearlong collaboration celebrating all that North Texas has to offer,” said Nadine Lee, DART president & CEO. “As a Dallas native, Erykah Badu has inspired so many people. From her many awards and accolades to everything she’s given back to our communities, we’re honored to celebrate her many successes.”
Photo courtesy of DART.
The partnership will take place from Jan. 16 to Feb. 10 and kick off with a sweepstakes leading up to Badu’s annual birthday bash performance, Saturday, Feb 24 at the Factory in Deep Ellum, a Dallas music venue.
DART riders can enter to win in hopes of being one of the four lucky riders to receive access to the VIP section, private entrance, exclusive swag, and a monthly DART pass. Additionally, the winners will be amongst the first North Texans to see the Badu Bus and Rail designs.
Riders interested can visit DART.org/Badu, 97.9 The Beat, or Majic 94.5. to participate.
