Erykah Badu, long regarded as the high priestess of neo-soul, is once again drawing attention. In a recent Amazon Music special, she hinted at her next project: a collaboration with The Alchemist, the prolific hip-hop producer admired for his layered, atmospheric beats. True to form, Badu reminded listeners that her music follows no clock but her own.
It has been 15 years since her last studio album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), and nearly a decade since her 2015 mixtape, But You Caint Use My Phone. Fans braced for a return this summer, but on August 28, just hours before an expected release, Badu appeared on Instagram Live with a message: “Midnight” would not bring a drop. The moment underscored her enduring refusal to conform to the industry’s timelines.
The album, Abi & Alan, pairs Badu’s unmistakable voice with The Alchemist’s signature sound. While news of a delay disappointed many, anticipation only grew. Earlier this year, she introduced the single “Next To You” during her Juneteenth concert in Dallas, streamed live on Prime Video—a performance that offered an early glimpse of the project’s hypnotic, evolving tone.
A glimpse of what’s next from two artists at their peak
Over the summer, Badu and The Alchemist embarked on a 10-city tour, culminating with a sold-out performance at Austin’s Moody Theater on August 24. The shows previewed the contours of Abi & Alan: lo-fi textures, meditative grooves, and meticulous songwriting. The album is expected to feature contributions from Thundercat, Earl Sweatshirt, and Kamasi Washington, signaling a project both expansive and deeply collaborative.
For Badu, the record is not a look backward but an exploration forward, another reinvention in a career defined by them. The Alchemist, meanwhile, remains in the midst of a prolific run, following projects with Freddie Gibbs, Larry June, and 2 Chainz, while also preparing new music with Mobb Deep. Together, they represent two artists in full command of their craft.
Though Abi & Alan has no release date, it has already stirred the rare kind of anticipation few artists can summon. Fans wait patiently, trusting that when Badu is ready, the music will arrive—and, as it has before, change the conversation.
Leave a Reply