Erykah Badu and The Alchemist release joint album ‘Before the World Blows’

Erykah Badu and producer The Alchemist have released their collaborative album, ‘Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment’. Released via Control Freaq Records and Young Recordings, the 16-track project marks Badu’s first full-length studio album in 16 years.

The album was recorded over 18 months in Dallas and Los Angeles, blending neo-soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. It features a diverse array of guest artists, including Thundercat, Steve Lacy, Westside Gunn, Earl Sweatshirt, Kamasi Washington, and DRAM.

To support the release, the duo is embarking on a North American tour starting September 10 at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, with stops in cities such as Toronto, Washington, D.C., Denver, and San Diego, concluding at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on September 29.