Badu Alchemist Joint Album Due Aug 28

After more than a decade spent nurturing solo projects, Erykah Badu is finally ready to unveil something entirely new—and she’s bringing her legendary sonic architect, The Alchemist, along for the ride.

The highly anticipated collaborative album, which has been long on the horizon, will arrive digitally on August 28 via Control FREAQ Records/Young Recordings. This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s the result of an extensive, eighteen-month creative deep dive, with the material meticulously recorded across Dallas and Los Angeles.

The project itself remains untitled, underscoring the focus on the sound and experience rather than a single label. This venture marks Badu’s first new release in eleven years and her inaugural official studio album in sixteen. During this hiatus, she has been immersed in touring, motherhood, doula work, and plenty of deep existential reflection.

The partnership between Badu and The Alchemist is a masterclass in creative alchemy. It began more than three years ago when Badu approached her longtime creative partner, Cold Cris, wanting to layer her voice over Mobb Deep’s classic track, “The Realest”—a production handled by The Alchemist. This initial spark led to a Los Angeles studio session that birthed the early tracks, including “Next to You,” setting the entire album in motion.

From there, Badu took The Alchemist‘s rich collection of instrumental samples and completely deconstructed them. She reshaped his warm, punchy sounds by introducing elements ranging from kalimba melodies to layered chords and unique drum patterns. The duo didn’t stop there; they road-tested the music live throughout 2024 and 2025, performing in intimate, phone-free settings with Badu’s digital collective, the Cannabinoids, while The Alchemist worked on his MPCs. This immersive process allowed them to continually fine-tune the songs before committing them to record.

The collaboration highlights how creative energy thrives through patience and shared exploration. While Badu navigated her personal and professional growth, The Alchemist maintained his famously prolific pace, releasing multiple projects annually, including albums with Hit-Boy and the celebrated trio of Armand Hammer, Billy Woods, and E L U C I D.

The momentum continues with new singles like “Witch Doctor,” alongside tracks such as the Amazon Music-exclusive “Echos 19 (mix 122),” which debuted during Badu’s recent Juneteenth celebration in Dallas. The duo will bring this new work to the stage soon, with performances scheduled for September 10 at Ravinia outside Chicago and wrapping up with a spectacular show on September 29 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.