Erykah Badu is getting ready to drop her first studio album in over a decade, and this time, she’s doing it her way. The genre-bending singer confirmed on Instagram Thursday morning, June 5th, that her long-awaited project with producer The Alchemist will arrive under her own label, Control FREAQ Records. She kept it short and sweet in the caption: “Let’s go.”
The album will be Badu’s first since New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, released in 2010. A lead single is expected to arrive sometime this summer, with the full album following shortly after. Back in March, Badu teased the project and revealed that The Alchemist would be producing the entire thing.
Control FREAQ Records, a label originally founded by Badu in 2005, was created as a space for creative freedom, and she’s now using it as a platform to fully own and distribute her music. This marks a new level of independence for the Dallas-born artist, who’s spent more than 20 years shaping and redefining neo-soul.
With this next chapter, Badu is stepping back into the spotlight with full control over her voice, her message, and her sound. The music is expected to reflect her growth over the years, offering listeners something fresh while staying rooted in the thoughtful, genre-defying style that made her a household name.
Badu will also be hitting the stage soon, with performances scheduled for June 14 in Vienna, Virginia, and June 15 in Atlantic City. She’ll then take the show overseas with a visit to Japan at the end of the month.
Fans should keep an eye on her social media for sneak peeks and updates. One thing’s for sure: Erykah Badu is back with her own label and she’s calling all the shots.
Leave a Reply