The collaboration traces its origins to a simple conversation, when Badu expressed a desire to rap over the gritty textures synonymous with The Alchemist’s production. Their initial studio meeting in Los Angeles sparked an experimental partnership, resulting in the single "Next to You" and a distinctive sonic language that blends warm, punchy samples with Badu’s intricate instrumentation, including kalimba and complex chord layering. The pair road-tested this material throughout 2024 and 2025 during intimate, phone-free performances alongside The Cannabinoids.
Erykah Badu and The Alchemist Set August Release for Collaborative LP
After eighteen months of clandestine sessions across Dallas and Los Angeles, Erykah Badu and The Alchemist have confirmed their long-awaited joint album will arrive on August 28, 2026. The project, released via Control FREAQ Records and Young Recordings, marks a definitive convergence of two distinct musical legacies.
To coincide with the announcement, the duo has shared their latest single, "Witch Doctor." This track follows earlier releases such as "Echos 19 (mix 122)," which premiered during Badu’s Juneteenth concert in Dallas. The resulting album defies genre boundaries, shifting through soul, blues, funk, and underground hip-hop. Alongside the record, the artists are embarking on a North American tour, with dates spanning from Highland Park, Illinois, to a final show at the Hollywood Bowl on September 29.
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