Photo Credit: Andrew Dubinsky

It’s been 15 years since Erykah Badu issued her most recent full-length album, New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh, in 2010. Today, to the relief of fans everywhere, the singular singer-songwriter has confirmed that her long-awaited return to the studio is well in the works.

In a new interview with Billboard, Badu revealed to journalist Damien Scott that she is currently committing much of her creative energy to a new studio album. The Afrofuturist forerunner’s forthcoming project features production exclusively from the Alchemist, the hip-hop veteran who’s enjoyed a whirlwind second act in the past few years through collaborations with cutting-edge artists like Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Armand Hammer, Earl Sweatshirt, Larry June, 2 Chainz and the leaders of Buffalo, N.Y.’s Griselda collective.

The pairing is another sharp left turn from two artists who have forged legacies on defying expectations; per Scott, “she says she can’t wait until she’s done.” Badu teased the new set a few weeks ago with a clip posted to her Instagram. With just 45 seconds of hook, it’s already more than enough to set high expectations.

Though a decade has slipped by since her memorable 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone, Badu has been keeping busy with scattered features–including “3:AM,” her Grammy-winning 2024 team-up with Rapsody– and nonstop touring. “I tour eight months out of the year for the past 25 years,” she reflected for Billboard. “That’s what I do. I am a performance artist. I am not a recording artist. I come from the theater. 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 has not yet shared a release timeline for her studio return. While waiting for more information, learn more about the artist and stay up to date on her tour itinerary at baduworldmarket.com.