Erykah Badu doesn't just make music; she births movements. If you've been scrolling through TikTok lately, you've probably seen her "twin" singing beside her. That's Puma Sabti Curry, and honestly, the resemblance is spooky. But it’s more than just a shared face. People are losing their minds over how Puma and her younger sister, Mars Merkaba Thedford, are carrying the torch of the "Baduizm" legacy while carving out their own weird, wonderful paths.
It’s not every day you see a celebrity kid who actually has the chops to back up the hype. Usually, it's just a name. Not here. Erykah Badu and daughter Puma have become a frequent fixture in the cultural zeitgeist because they represent a specific kind of "cool" that you can't buy at a boutique. It's a mix of Dallas grit, high-fashion modeling, and vocals that sound like velvet and sandpaper at the same time.
The Viral Rise of Puma Curry
Puma Curry, now 21, is the middle child. Her father is the legendary West Coast rapper The D.O.C., which means she was basically born into a masterclass of lyricism and rhythm.
She first broke the internet back in 2016. She was only 12, twirling in an aerial hoop while singing a cover of Rihanna's "Stay." It was effortless. No autotune. No flashy production. Just a kid in her living room with a voice that sounded like she’d lived three lifetimes. Since then, the mother-daughter duo has gone viral more times than we can count. Remember the "Green Eyes" cover? Puma tackled one of her mom’s most difficult, jazz-heavy tracks and nailed it.
Not Just a Backup Singer
Lately, Puma has stepped out as her mother's personal assistant and creative collaborator. They even hit the Met Gala together in 2023, looking like two versions of the same soul. But Puma isn't just "Erykah's shadow." She’s built a massive following on TikTok—over 700k followers—mostly by being a regular Gen Z girl who happens to have a soul icon for a mom. She posts lip-syncs, fashion hauls, and behind-the-scenes tour footage that makes the Badu household look like a creative sanctuary.
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Mars Merkaba: The Youngest Visionary
Then there's Mars. Born in 2009, she’s the daughter of Badu and the elusive, lyrical giant Jay Electronica. If Puma is the performer, Mars is the multifaceted artist.
Erykah has described Mars as a visual artist, actor, and bass player. She’s only 16, but she’s already been homeschooled in a way that would make most PhDs jealous. Imagine having your brother, Seven, teach you botany and your dad, Jay Electronica, teach you world affairs. That’s the reality for Mars.
Badu famously live-tweeted Mars' birth because Questlove dared her to. Since that day, Mars has been the "baby" of the family, often seen in grainy Instagram clips playing instruments or just being a typical teenager with a very atypical perspective. While she stays a bit more low-key than Puma, her creative output is just as intense. She’s a student of the arts in every sense.
What Most People Get Wrong About Badu’s Parenting
People look at Erykah Badu and see the headwraps and the incense and assume it’s all "free-spirit" chaos. It’s actually the opposite.
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Badu is notoriously disciplined about her kids' education and health. All three of her children—Seven, Puma, and Mars—were born at home. She’s a certified doula herself, so she views the "mother-daughter" bond as a literal extension of the birth process. She doesn't just raise them; she "evolves" with them.
The Homeschooling Blueprint
- Multidisciplinary Learning: Each family member plays a role in teaching. It's a collective.
- Holistic Health: They grew up on a vegan diet, learning to read labels before they could read books.
- Professionalism: Puma working as her mother's assistant wasn't just for show. It was a lesson in the business of art.
There’s this misconception that celebrity kids are just handed a career. While the doors are definitely open, Badu seems to make her daughters earn the "artist" title. She’s spoken openly about how she wants them to be "improvements on her design." That’s a heavy expectation, but seeing Puma on stage during the Unfollow Me Tour, it’s clear she’s not crumbling under it.
The "Twin" Factor
Why does the internet care so much? Because we love a legacy.
When you see a video of Erykah Badu and daughter Puma singing "All The Joy" by Moonchild, you aren't just seeing a cover. You’re seeing the DNA of Neo-Soul being passed down in real-time. Their harmonies are so tight it’s almost instinctual. They look alike, they move alike, but they have distinct energies. Erykah is the "Queen Mother," otherworldly and detached. Puma is more grounded, more modern, but with that same undeniable "it" factor.
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Moving Beyond the Shadow
As we move into 2026, the conversation is shifting. It’s no longer just about "Erykah Badu’s kids." Puma is starting to hint at her own original music. Mars is developing a visual style that stands on its own.
They’ve managed to do something very few celebrity children do: they’ve stayed likable. There’s no "nepo baby" resentment here because they actually seem to respect the craft. They aren't trying to skip the line; they’re leaning into the mentorship their mother provides.
Actionable Insights for the "Badu" Way
If you're looking to apply some of that Badu energy to your own life or family, consider these takeaways from how she’s raised her daughters:
- Foster a "Legacy of Learning": Don't just delegate education to schools. Involve the whole family in teaching what they know best.
- Embrace the "Pivot": Badu lets her daughters explore multiple avenues—modeling, singing, art, acting—without forcing them into a box.
- Balance Tradition with Modernity: Use social media to build a brand (like Puma), but keep the "home" life sacred and grounded in holistic health.
- Work Together: If you have a family business or a creative pursuit, involve your kids in the "grit" of it, not just the "glamour."
The story of Erykah and her daughters isn't finished yet. It’s a living, breathing piece of art that keeps changing every time one of them picks up a microphone or a paintbrush. Keep an eye on Puma’s TikTok and Erykah’s live shows—you’re essentially watching the next twenty years of soul music being built from the ground up.
Next Steps for Fans and Creators:
To truly understand the Badu legacy, start by watching the live performance of Puma and Erykah singing "Good Morning Texas." Pay attention to the vocal layering; it's a masterclass in familial harmony. If you're a creator, look at Puma's TikTok strategy—she bridges the gap between "legendary daughter" and "relatable teen" without losing her mystique. Finally, stay tuned for Mars' visual art releases, as she is rumored to be prepping a debut that leans more into the avant-garde than her sister's musical path.