Puma Badu: Rising Star in Music, Fashion, and the Legacy of Erykah Badu

Puma Sabti Curry, better known as Puma Badu, is not just the offspring of two music legends—Erykah Badu and The D.O.C.—but a budding artist in her own right. From singing viral covers to strutting red carpets in designer attire, Puma has firmly taken center stage. At just 20 years of age, she’s becoming well-known in music, modeling, and on social media—three arenas where her natural charm and inherited talent radiate.

Born of artistic vision, Puma has embraced the spotlight with humility and sincerity. She honors her roots as she carves out a lane that is truly hers alone, blending the soulful energy of her mother with the fashion sensibilities of Gen Z today. Whether live on stage or red-carpet-bound to the Met Gala, Puma represents a new generation of young talent bringing together the generations of classic-school soul and cutting-edge style.

Quick Bio

Who Is Puma Badu?

Puma Sabti Curry was born on July 5, 2004, in Dallas, Texas. She is the second child of soul singer Erykah Badu and rapper/songwriter The D.O.C. Although she grew up with two celebrities, Puma has remained down-to-earth while slowly stepping into the limelight. With her unique name and soulful voice, Puma is becoming well-known for her artistic pursuits in both music and fashion.

Puma is widely known for having a powerful voice and confident attitude. She originally rose to fame after a clip of her performing Rihanna’s “Stay” circulated internationally. Ever since, she has been in the news as a standout public presence with her mom at events like the 2023 Met Gala, when mother and daughter took fashion bloggers’ breaths away. Her dignity, uniqueness, and powerful presence have cemented her position as a musician to watch out for in the emerging crop of singers.

Early Life

Surrounded by creativity at home, Puma was used to artistry. Her mother, Erykah Badu, is the celebrated neo-soul singer known for her carefree vibe and angelic presence. Her father, The D.O.C., is the acclaimed rapper and novelist who helped shape the sound of West Coast hip-hop. This blend of musical talent created a environment in which Puma was able to develop her own skills from an early age.

Puma grew up in Dallas, where she attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, a school renowned for producing youthful talent—her mother had also attended the school. Puma was exposed to rehearsals, concerts, and studio recordings from a young age, so that she could learn not only the technical, but the emotional parts of creating art. This gave her not only the ability, but the self-assurance to flourish under the limelight.

Career Beginnings

Puma’s career journey proper began when she featured in a viral song singing Rihanna’s “Stay,” which garnered praises for her command of the voice and emotional performance. She broke out naturally talented, being better than her mother but demonstrating her own new voice and style. With that performance, the majority of the fans started following her journey to learn how she would continue her career.

Ever since, Puma has made appearances at private family gatherings, even Erykah Badu’s birthday celebrations, which have been live-streamed and heavily shared on social media. Even at this age, her stage performance did not go unseen. Along with that was a growth in her fashion ambitions, where she began modeling—in particular, being featured in the Vogue Mexico magazine when photographed with Erykah. This being featured modeling solidified the reality that she was indeed a budding multi-talented artist.

Who Are Puma Badu’s Parents?

Puma’s mom, Erykah Badu, is a Grammy-winning artist and cultural phenomenon who is regularly credited with having spearheaded the neo-soul movement. With her unique voice, aesthetic, and spiritual energy, Erykah has never been afraid to be different—something that she clearly passed on to her daughter. Erykah has long been a steady source of advice for Puma, regularly appearing in tandem interviews, fashion shoots, and performances.

Her father, The D.O.C. (Tracy Lynn Curry), is a rapper, writer, and producer who has deep hip-hop credentials. A past member of N.W.A. and an important contributor to Dr. Dre’s production, The D.O.C.’s life was shortened in a car accident that damaged his vocal cords. Even though he could not record himself, he remained a behind-the-scenes worker and has been instrumental in his daughter Puma’s career. Puma also has a very close relationship with her half-siblings, including Seven Sirius Benjamin (son of Erykah Badu and André 3000) and Mars Merkaba Thedford (daughter of Erykah and Jay Electronica).

Puma Badu’s Physical Appearance

Puma is around 5 feet 4 inches and carries herself in a bold mixture of youthful assurance and regal poise. She is often depicted as having almond-shaped eyes, glowing complexion, and expressive features that display the beauty of both her mother and herself. She carries an inner presence whether she is shown wearing casual wear or designer clothing.

Her style is sharp, modern, and very influenced by Erykah Badu’s unapologetic fashion sense. Puma rocked a custom Marni crystal-adorned dress paired with green eye shadow and Swarovski embellishment during the 2023 Met Gala. She dances on the knife’s edge of edginess and authenticity, and her presence on the red carpet means she’s not so much pushing the limits of fashion as mastering them.

Net Worth

While Puma Badu’s net worth is not publicly confirmed, her rising career indicates expanding financial opportunities. With her placements on high-end magazines like Vogue and appearances at high-end fashion shows like the Met Gala, Puma is becoming a sweetheart for companies and media outlets alike. Her musical talent also offers access to recording contracts and concerts, all of which can be profitable.

Her mother, Erykah Badu, is worth approximately $10 million, which she has earned from music, tours, business, and public speaking. As Puma makes a name for herself and creates her own profile, she will begin to attract sponsorships, modeling deals, and even music deals. If she continues on this path, her net worth will grow exponentially in the next few years.

Social Media

Puma is just as active on Instagram, posting everything from fashion photoshoots to intimate candid shots. She has thousands of followers on her @pumacurry account who love her honesty, skill, and style. Her uploads have both sophistication and unposed elegance, making her accessible and desirable to many Gen Z followers.

She regularly posts about her family, music gigs, and style moments, so her content is new and of interest. Social media is part of the Puma brand. It not only enables her to communicate with followers, but it also makes her an attractive partner for beauty and fashion brands who seek to work with emerging young influencers who have genuine ability.

Future Prospects And Vision

Puma has made it clear that she’s just getting started. With her talent in singing, modeling, and media appearance, she can build a multi-layered career. She’s hinted at dropping original music sometime in the future, which would be her biggest career boost to date. With her singing ability and artistic foundation, a debut EP or album would likely be met with massive anticipation.

In the future, Puma might further expand her influence in fashion either by way of collaborations with brands or launching her own line. Her ability to blend her heritage with modern style makes her a unique voice among creatives. Whatever she chooses to pursue, music or fashion or both, Puma Badu is undeniably an up-and-comer—and one to keep an eye on.