Erykah Badu Announces First New Album In 15 Years​

Erykah Badu, the neo-soul trailblazer known for her bold vision and sonic experimentation, has announced her first studio album in 15 years — and this time, she’s teaming up with acclaimed hip-hop producer The Alchemist, who is known for his work with hip-hop heavyweights like Freddie Gibbs, Griselda, and Kendrick Lamar.

During the Billboard Women in Music celebration on March 29, Erykah received the Icon Award, underscoring her enduring impact on the industry.

“It feels good, it feels natural to me,” she said on the red carpet. “I tour for a living, so I’m a touring artist… as a touring artist, we create moments. As a recording artist, I create memories.”

Erykah’s debut album, “Baduizm,” released in 1997, was a critical and commercial success, earning her two Grammy Awards and establishing her as a leading figure in the neo-soul movement. Her subsequent albums, including “Mama’s Gun” (2000) and “Worldwide Underground” (2003), further showcased her unique blend of R&B, soul, and hip-hop influences.

In 2008, Erykah released “New Amerykah Part One (4th World War),” an album praised for its political themes and experimental production. Two years later, Erykah debuted “New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)” in 2010, offering a more personal and introspective sound. Its lead single, “Window Seat,” drew widespread attention for its visually bold and socially charged video, which sparked both critical acclaim and public controversy.

In the years since her last album, Erykah has remained active in various creative and philanthropic endeavors. She has continued to tour extensively, bringing her soulful performances to audiences worldwide. Beyond music, Erykah has been involved in fashion, being honored with the Fashion Icon Award at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards in New York.

Erykah’s influence spans far beyond her discography. Often referred to as the “Queen of Neo-Soul,” she helped define and popularize the genre in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her song “Master Teacher” is credited with popularizing the phrase “stay woke,” underscoring her impact on both music and culture. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her number 115 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, a testament to her vocal power and lasting legacy.

But beyond awards and accolades, Erykah’s true impact lies in the doors she opened for future generations of artists. Her fearless fusion of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and Afrocentric spirituality helped shape a sound and aesthetic that artists like Summer Walker, Janelle Monáe, Solange, and Ari Lennox continue to draw from today. Her music — both sonically rich and socially reflective — challenged traditional genre boundaries and offered a blueprint for artistry rooted in authenticity and resistance.

Erykah’s live performances have also become a hallmark of her legacy. Known for their improvisational nature and spiritual energy, her shows blur the line between concert and communal ritual, leaving audiences with an experience that’s as transcendent as it is musically masterful. Offstage, her bold, avant-garde style has made her a fashion icon in her own right, recognized not only by the CFDA but by a generation of fans and creatives who see her as a muse across disciplines.

As she prepares to release her first album in over a decade, Erykah returns not just as a performer, but as a cultural architect whose voice, vision, and influence have helped shape the landscape of contemporary Black music and art.