Erykah Badu is finally readying her first album in over a decade – find out more below.
In a new interview with Billboard, Badu revealed that she’s bene hard at work in the studio, where she’s recording on her first studio album in 15 years. The album is being produced solely by The Alchemist, who has in the past worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah and more.
While the album isn’t done and hasn’t received a title or release date, Erykah Badu has told Billboard that it’s “taking up most of her time” and that she “can’t wait” until it’s done.
Elsewhere during the chat, Badu explained why it’s been so long between albums: “I tour eight months out of the year for the past 25 years. 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.”
Her upcoming album will be her first since 2010’s ‘New Amerykah, Part II: Return Of The Ankh’. That record scored a four-star review from NME: “‘…Part II’ is an altogether more personal and laidback affair, concerned with romance and emotions. The word ‘love’ features heavily, in titles and in lyrics, and it seems to have relaxed her, though there are flashes of doubt that cut through the smoothness.”
Early next month, Badu will be one of several rap and R&B icons performing at J. Cole’s final edition of the Dreamville festival. Other acts include Cole himself, Lil Wayne, Ludacris and more.