Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Drop "Witch Doctor," Announce Joint Album!
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Drop "Witch Doctor," Announce Joint Album!
The wait is over! Erykah Badu and The Alchemist unveil new single "Witch Doctor" and detail their long-awaited collaborative album. Get ready for a soulful, hip-hop fusion!
After years of anticipation, music icons Erykah Badu and The Alchemist are officially releasing a joint album, and they’ve just dropped a fresh single titled “Witch Doctor.” This exciting collaboration, which has been in the works for over three years, is set to be a groundbreaking blend of genres, combining Badu’s soulful artistry with The Alchemist’s renowned production.
The seed for this project was planted when Badu, known for her innovative sound, expressed a desire to rap over The Alchemist’s production, specifically Mobb Deep’s “The Realest.” This led to an introduction between the two artists, who quickly found a creative synergy. Their first studio session in Los Angeles produced the single “Next To You,” and now, “Witch Doctor” gives fans another taste of what’s to come from their untitled album.
The creative process saw The Alchemist sending Badu a collection of instrumental beats, which she meticulously deconstructed and enhanced, weaving new instruments into his samples. The resulting sound is a rich tapestry that fuses soul, blues, funk, rock, jazz, and underground hip-hop, promising a unique sonic experience for listeners. The duo even tested the album live from 2024 to 2025 in intimate, phone-free settings with Badu’s digital collective The Cannabinoids and The Alchemist on the MPC, honing their craft directly with an audience.
This marks a significant return for Badu, whose last full-length project was her mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone eleven years ago. Despite the album hiatus, she has remained incredibly active with touring, teaching, motherhood, and doula work. The Alchemist, on the other hand, has continuously collaborated with various artists, most recently releasing Alfredo 2 with Freddie Gibbs. Their joint album is scheduled to drop on August 28th, coinciding with their upcoming fall North American tour, making this a highly anticipated event for music lovers everywhere.
