The wait is almost over! Erykah Badu has officially confirmed that she’s deep into a brand-new album produced entirely by The Alchemist—marking her first studio album in 15 years!
In a recent interview with Billboard, the neo-soul queen gave fans a glimpse into the project, revealing that while she may not follow hip-hop as closely as she once did, she still holds the genre close to her heart.
Badu shared with Billboard, her deep connection to hip-hop, explaining:
“The thing I like about rap right now is the same thing I liked about rap when I first met it. Rap is the people. Hip-hop is the people. It’s the folks. It’s the tribe.”
She also noted how watching her own children grow up helps her appreciate the next generation of artists, saying:
“I cannot separate them when I see artists who are that age coming up. That’s how they feel. They are continuing the tradition.”
Though she hasn’t confirmed a release date, Badu has previewed snippets of the album on Instagram, sending fans into a frenzy. This will be her first studio release since 2010’s New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), making it one of the most highly anticipated projects of the year!
Before teaming up with The Alchemist, Badu collaborated with Rapsody on the Grammy-winning track “3:AM” from Please Don’t Cry, which took home the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Reflecting on the experience with VIBE, Badu described it as one of her most enjoyable projects:
“That’s the one record I have enjoyed the most because it was a process, and getting to know her more and building a deeper friendship. She’s such a beautiful human being.”
She also recalled how Rapsody’s unique creative approach left a lasting impact on her:
“She FaceTimed me the first time and didn’t even say hello. She was in bed with a microphone, just humming melodies. It was so dope to see her process. I told her, ‘I appreciate your process. You taught me how to slow down.’”
With Badu and The Alchemist joining forces, fans are bracing for something groundbreaking. Will this album redefine modern neo-soul? One thing’s for sure—when Erykah Badu speaks, the world listens. ✨
Stay tuned for more updates!
(Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix)
