Erykah Badu Announces First Album in 15 Years
Erykah Badu is making her long-awaited return—and this time, she’s cooking up something special with none other than legendary producer The Alchemist.
The neo-soul icon recently revealed in an interview with Billboard that she’s deep into the process of recording her first studio album in 15 years, officially marking her highly anticipated return to the music scene.
While the Texas native has kept busy touring, collaborating, and curating her holistic empire, fans have eagerly awaited a new body of work since New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) dropped in 2010.
That wait is finally coming to an end, and the pairing with The Alchemist—a producer revered for his work with hip-hop heavyweights like Freddie Gibbs, Griselda, and Kendrick Lamar—signals an exciting sonic direction.
Although the singer hasn’t disclosed a title or release date, she made it clear that the creative process has been all-consuming. “I want to focus. I want to be in the moment of the foreplay. Creating the music. The tragedy. The love. The experience of the whole thing,” she told the music publication.
The Alchemist, known for his soulful yet gritty production, may seem like an unconventional choice for an artist who helped define the neo-soul movement. But Badu has never been one to follow the expected path.
For now, Badu remains immersed in the creative process, splitting time between her Dallas home and the studio. “The album has been taking up most of my time,” she shared. And if history is any indication, the result will be well worth the wait.
