Erykah Badu hasn’t released a new album since 2010’s New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), but that could all change soon. In a recent Billboard interview, the neo soul pioneer revealed she is working on her first studio album in 15 years.
Adding to the intrigue, it’s being solely produced by The Alchemist, better known for working with hip-hop artists like Freddie Gibbs, Earl Sweatshirt, and Boldy James.
According to journalist Damien Scott, the currently untitled project is a primary focus in Badu’s life. “The album has been taking up most of her time; she says she can’t wait until she’s done,” Scott wrote.
Elsewhere in the interview, Badu explained why it’s been so long between albums. “I tour eight months out of the year for the past 25 years,” she said. “That’s what I do. I am a performance artist. I am not a recording artist. I come from the theater.”
She continued, “It’s the immediate reaction between you and the audience and the immediate feeling. The point where you become one living, breathing organism with people. That’s what I live for. It’s my therapy. And theirs, too. We’re in it together. And I like the idea that it happens only once.”
Badu’s most recent project was her 2015 mixtape, But You Caint Use My Phone. However, she’s done occasional collaborations, including her recent Grammy-winning feature on Rapsody’s “3:AM” and vocal contribution to Jamie xx’s “F.U.”
Next month, Badu will appear at J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival (get tickets here).
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