It’s news so exciting that I (nearly) wet my pants. Erykah Badu is finally stepping back into the studio for her first album in 15 years.
In a new interview with Billboard, Badu revealed that the project is taking up most of her time, and while there’s no title or release date yet, she “can’t wait” to finish it.
It’s been a long wait since 2010’s New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh, but Badu has never been one to rush. Instead of churning out records, she’s spent the past 25 years on the road, something she made clear in the interview. “I tour eight months out of the year. That’s what I do. I am a performance artist. I am not a recording artist. I come from the theater,” she explained.
That mindset has shaped her career. For Badu, the stage is where the magic happens. “It’s the immediate reaction between you and the audience,” she said. “The point where you become one living, breathing organism with people. That’s what I live for.”
This time around, she’s locked in with The Alchemist, a producer known for his work with Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Ghostface Killah. His dusty, soul-infused beats seem like the perfect match for Badu’s signature blend of cosmic wisdom and laid-back funk.
Though she’s been quiet on the recording front, Badu hasn’t exactly been off the radar. Next month, she’ll be hitting the stage at J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival, sharing the bill with Lil Wayne, Ludacris, and Cole himself.
It’s anyone’s guess what this new album will sound like, but given Badu’s track record, it’ll be worth the wait. As evidenced in her previous works, she’s never been one to play it safe. And with The Alchemist on board, this could be something truly unique.
Fifteen years is a long time, but Erykah Badu isn’t about to drop anything half-baked. Whenever it arrives, expect something raw and soulful. Something that’s inimitably Erykah.
