Erykah Badu has been in the studio, working with none other than acclaimed producer The Alchemist on an upcoming album. On the cover of Billboard, the Texas native explains her creative process and shares minimal details on the pending work. Journalist Damien Scott describes the album as “taking up most of her time,” and continues adding the 54-year-old’s anticipation for completion.
Once released, the unnamed work will be her first official album in 15 years, however, the gap in drops has not hindered the Grammy-winner from performing. According to the interview, her intention behind her music is to bring it to life on stage.
“I tour eight months out of the year for the past 25 years,” she explained. “That’s what I do. I am a performance artist. I am not a recording artist. I come from the theater.
The Mama’s Gun creator 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.”
Badu’s most recent solo release came in the 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone, however at this year’s Grammy Awards she earned a gold trophy for her “3:AM” collaboration with Rapsody, featured on the latter’s latest Please Don’t Cry album.
“That’s the one record I have enjoyed the most because it was a process, and getting to know her more and building a deeper friendship. She’s such a beautiful human being. You know the talent is in this style icon. She FaceTimed me the first time and she didn’t even say hello. She was in bed and she had a microphone and she was just humming melodies, and it was so dope to see her process. And we were speaking the other day and I told her, ‘I appreciate your process. You taught me how to slow down.” detailed Rapsody of working with the Neo Soul veteran.
As for The Alchemist, the collaborative Life Is Beautiful with 2 Chainz and frequent collaborator Larry June was issued earlier this year.
Badu is set to be recognized with the Icon Award from Billboard later this month at the magazine’s annual Women In Music celebration. Doechii, Tyla, GloRilla, and more will also be honored at the live-streamed event.
Read the full list of recognitions below:
Doechii – Woman Of The Year
aespa – Group of the Year Award
Ángela Aguilar – Breakthrough Award
Erykah Badu- Icon Award
GloRilla- Powerhouse Award
Gracie Abrams – Songwriter of the Year Award
JENNIE -Global Force Award
Megan Moroney- Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky
Meghan Trainor- Hitmaker Award
Muni Long- Rising Star Award presented by Honda Stage
Tyla- Impact Award presented by Bose.
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