If you follow Erykah Badu, you know her dating history is basically a hall of fame of brilliant, eccentric minds. Andre 3000. Common. Jay Electronica. But for a few years in the mid-2010s, there was another name that kept popping up in her tweets and at her side: Carl Jones.
Maybe you know him as the producer behind The Boondocks or the creator of Black Dynamite. Or maybe you just remember those adorable, slightly cryptic Instagram posts where they looked like they were speaking a private language. Honestly, the Erykah Badu Carl Jones era was one of the most creatively fertile times in recent memory, even if it didn't stay in the headlines as long as her other relationships.
It wasn't just a romance; it was a full-blown production house.
How the Magic Started (The "Black Dynamite" Spark)
They didn't meet at some swanky Hollywood gala. It was work. Carl Jones needed voice talent for his Adult Swim masterpiece, Black Dynamite. Badu walked into the booth and, according to Jones, she didn't just read lines—she dominated. She voiced characters like "Fatback Taffy" and "Fat Hoe Crow," showing a side of her personality that most fans never see: the comedian.
He was floored. Jones later admitted in interviews that her wit was so sharp he started writing her into more episodes just to keep her around. Eventually, she reached out to him about wanting to do a one-woman show. That’s when the "work" meetings turned into dinner meetings.
By early 2016, the secret was out. Carl tweeted a photo of them together, calling her his "love, best friend, and creative partner." Badu, in her classic style, retweeted it and added that he was also her "shrink, cook, and barber."
✨ Don't miss: Brooklyn and Bailey Nose Job: What Really Happened with Those Plastic Surgery Rumors
It was cute. It was real. And it was about to get very productive.
The Production Company and the Soul Train Era
People often forget that Badu and Jones actually formed a company together. They weren't just "dating"; they were building. One of their biggest wins was when Badu hosted the Soul Train Awards. If you remember those sketches and the comedic timing she displayed, that was heavily influenced by Jones’s background in animation and satire.
He famously called her a "modern-day Carol Burnett."
They worked out of his childhood home in Dallas. Think about that: a Grammy-winning icon and a legendary TV producer, grinding away in a modest one-story house. They were making a "song-a-day," experimentations that blended her neo-soul roots with his dark, satirical edge.
Why It Felt Different
Badu has three children, each with a different legendary artist:
🔗 Read more: Bobby Sherman Health Update: What Really Happened to the Teen Idol
- Seven (with Andre 3000)
- Puma (with The D.O.C.)
- Mars (with Jay Electronica)
Because of this, fans are always looking for the "next" chapter. But with Carl Jones, it felt less like a media circus and more like a quiet meeting of the minds. They shared a sense of humor that was, frankly, a bit weird. They posted videos of themselves playing with matching heart lockets and making clay aliens.
The Quiet End and Recent Drama
Like many things in Badu's life, the end of the romantic chapter with Carl Jones wasn't marked by a messy press release. It just sort of... faded from the public eye. They were together for about four years. Jones later confirmed they had split, noting that he was actually separated (though technically married on paper) when they first started.
Fast forward to late 2025 and early 2026, and their names are back in the mix for a different reason. Amanda Seales recently stirred the pot during a livestream, claiming that Badu got her fired from a writing gig.
The project? A show where Carl Jones was the head writer.
According to Seales, Badu was "cold" toward her and eventually used her influence to have Seales removed from the room. It’s a messy reminder that even when a romance ends, the professional and social circles these giants run in are incredibly small. It also highlights how protective Badu can be of her creative spaces—and the people in them.
💡 You might also like: Blair Underwood First Wife: What Really Happened with Desiree DaCosta
Why the Erykah Badu Carl Jones Connection Still Matters
We live in an era of "shipping" celebrities for the aesthetic. But the connection between these two was about the work. Jones helped pull out a comedic side of Badu that gave us some of her best hosting performances and voice-acting roles.
She, in turn, gave him a muse that pushed his writing into more soulful, experimental territory.
What You Can Learn From Their Partnership
If you're a creative, there's a lesson here. Don't just look for a partner who likes your art; look for one who challenges the way you make it.
- Collaborate Early: They didn't wait for a "perfect" project. They started with voice-overs and grew from there.
- Keep it Private: Despite their fame, they controlled the narrative. We only saw what they wanted us to see.
- Humor is a Love Language: Their entire relationship was built on making each other laugh. That’s why their work from that era feels so light and effortless.
The "Badu Box" is a real thing people joke about—the idea that men change after dating her. But with Carl Jones, it felt like he didn't just change; he leveled up. And so did she. Whether they're still making clay aliens or just crossing paths at industry events, that four-year run was a masterclass in creative intimacy.
If you want to see the fruits of this era, go back and watch The Wizard of Watts episode of Black Dynamite. It's basically their relationship in musical form: weird, soulful, and completely original.