Erykah Badu is officially making her return to the studio, announcing her first full-length project in 16 years. The neo-soul pioneer has teamed up with acclaimed hip-hop producer The Alchemist to craft a new body of work, marking a significant shift in her discography. To celebrate the announcement, the duo has shared the lead single, “Witch Doctor,” offering fans a first glimpse into their collaborative chemistry.
The partnership between Erykah Badu and The Alchemist—a producer celebrated for his work with heavyweights ranging from Mobb Deep to Freddie Gibbs—has been highly anticipated. The two previously teased their creative synergy with the tracks “Next to You” and “Echos 19 (mix 122),” which Badu debuted during her Juneteenth performance in Dallas earlier this year.
A Long-Awaited Creative Union
The origins of this project trace back to a conversation between Badu and her longtime creative partner, Cold Cris. Badu expressed a long-held desire to rap over the instrumental for Mobb Deep’s “The Realest,” a classic beat crafted by The Alchemist. Following an introduction, their initial discussions quickly evolved into a full-scale album collaboration.
The new single, “Witch Doctor,” showcases a seamless blend of Badu’s signature silky, poignant vocal delivery set against the backdrop of soft-textured, rhythmic production. The track, along with the previously released “Next To You,” suggests a project that leans into psychedelic textures while maintaining the grounded, soulful essence that has defined Badu’s career.
Album Details and Tour Information
While the project remains untitled—cheekily listed on Bandcamp as “Sorry, we don’t have an album title yet…”—the release date is set for Friday, August 28. Fans can currently pre-save the album to ensure immediate access upon its arrival.
In addition to the music, the pair has announced a North American tour scheduled throughout September. The tour will hit major cities, including stops in Toronto, New York, and San Francisco.
Tour Dates
- Sep 10, 2026 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
- Sep 11, 2026 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
- Sep 13, 2026 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
- Sep 15, 2026 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion
- Sep 17, 2026 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
- Sep 18, 2026 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
- Sep 20, 2026 – Washington, D.C. – Wolf Trap
- Sep 22, 2026 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater
- Sep 24, 2026 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
- Sep 26, 2026 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
- Sep 27, 2026 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
Tickets for the upcoming tour are available for purchase now.
