Erykah Badu and The Alchemist team up for joint album and drop new song, "Witch Doctor"

The collaboration began more than three years ago after Badu told her longtime creative partner Cold Cris that she had always wanted to rap over Mobb Deep's "The Realest", which features production from The Alchemist. The producer had been wanting to work with Badu for years, and they were introduced soon after. Their first studio session in Los Angeles brought about the single "Next To You", which is followed by today's newest reveal, "Witch Doctor".

Following their initial meeting, The Alchemist sent Badu a collection of instrumental beats, which she deconstructed and sculpted, bringing new instruments into his samples. Combining their individual sounds, the songs on the yet-to-be-named album fuse soul, blues, funk, rock, jazz and underground hip-hop.

From 2024 to 2025, the duo tested the album live in intimate, phone-free settings with Badu's digital collective The Cannabinoids and The Alchemist on the MPC. It's been eleven years since Badu's last project, her mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone, but she has been active with touring, teaching, motherhood and doula work. The Alchemist has continuously worked on collaborations with different artists, most recently releasing Alfredo 2 with Freddie Gibbs.

Erykah Badu & The Alchemist artwork