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 for a highly anticipated collaboration that promises to bridge the gap between classic soul and modern production. To mark the announcement, the duo has shared their new single, “Witch Doctor.”
This partnership arrives as a significant moment in contemporary music. Erykah Badu, a visionary whose influence on R&B remains unparalleled, has found a perfect sonic match in The Alchemist, a producer renowned for his work with heavyweights ranging from Mobb Deep to Freddie Gibbs. The collaboration reportedly began after Badu expressed a long-held desire to rap over the producer’s signature soundscapes, specifically citing Mobb Deep’s “The Realest.”
The project has been teased for months, with fans getting an early taste of the chemistry between the two during Badu’s Juneteenth performance in Dallas, where she debuted tracks titled “Next to You” and “Echos 19 (mix 122).”
A New Chapter in Soul
While the album currently lacks a formal title—listed cheekily on Bandcamp as “Sorry, we don’t have an album title yet…”—the anticipation is palpable. The lead single, “Witch Doctor,” showcases a refined, smooth aesthetic, pairing Badu’s signature silky vocal delivery with the textured, psychedelic production that has become a hallmark of The Alchemist’s recent output.
The album is scheduled for release on Friday, August 28. In support of the new music, the pair will embark on a North American tour throughout September, bringing their unique sound to major cities including 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
