Erykah Badu is currently dedicating much of her time to an upcoming album, which is a significant focus in her life right now. Despite her enthusiasm for the project, Badu has expressed that her primary identity is as a performance artist rather than a recording artist. Touring has been a major part of her career, as she has spent about eight months of every year on the road for the past 25 years. This focus on live performance is rooted in her background in theater and her passion for the unique, spontaneous connection she experiences with audiences during concerts.
Badu describes performing as a therapeutic experience for both her and her audience, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of live shows where a singular, shared experience is created. Her last major release was the 2015 mixtape “But You Caint Use My Phone.” Since then, she has been involved in various collaborations, including a Grammy-winning feature on Rapsody’s “3:AM” and contributing vocals to Jamie xx’s track “F.U.” Despite the long interval between her albums, Badu remains deeply engaged with her music and performance art.
Erykah Badu is set to release her first studio album in 15 years, marking her return to recording with a project solely produced by The Alchemist. Known for his work with prominent hip-hop artists, The Alchemist brings a unique production style to Badu’s upcoming album. In a Billboard interview, Badu shared that this project is currently her main focus, highlighting the anticipation surrounding its release.
Badu explained the long hiatus between albums, attributing it to her extensive touring schedule. For the past 25 years, she has spent the majority of the year on the road, emphasizing her identity as a performance artist rather than a recording artist. She expressed her love for the live experience, where the interaction with the audience creates a unique, shared moment.
Her last major work was the 2015 mixtape “But You Caint Use My Phone,” though she has remained active through collaborations, such as her Grammy-winning feature on Rapsody’s “3:AM” and her contribution to Jamie xx’s track “F.U.” This new album is highly anticipated, as it represents a significant return for Badu to the studio scene.
