Collaborative project arrives Aug. 28 via Control FREAQ Records / Young Recordings; new single “Witch Doctor” released today

The 18-month session between two of music’s most unconventional forces has finally crystallized. Erykah Badu and producer The Alchemist will release their joint album on Friday, August 28, the artists announced today.

“Next To You” is a heartfelt love song that captures feelings of longing, intimacy, and the yearning to be near someone special. Erykah Badu conveys a profound emotional and physical connection, expressing a desire to share simple daily activities like smoking, drinking, walking, and conversing with this individual.

The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and youthful spirit with phrases like “after school” and “break the rules,” highlighting the importance of this person in her life. The line “I can’t think without you” is repeated to stress how deeply she is affected by their presence. The refrain “I wanna be next to you” reinforces the central theme: it’s about companionship, comfort, and a relationship that is both playful and deeply meaningful.

The record, which arrives digitally via Control FREAQ Records / Young Recordings, was co-produced over the course of a year and a half in Dallas and Los Angeles. It follows the previously released singles “Next To You” and the Amazon Music exclusive “Echos 19 (mix 122),” the latter of which debuted during Badu’s Juneteenth concert celebration in Dallas. The track, “Witch Doctor,” drops alongside today’s announcement.

In the song “Witch Doctor,” the metaphor of witchcraft is employed to delve into themes of perception, influence, and manipulation. Erykah Badu distinguishes herself from the typical pop culture witch—refusing to be likened to fictional figures like Tabitha and Samantha—by identifying as a “medium” who channels energy and truth. She draws a connection between a witch’s ability to sway others and the manner in which media shapes public opinion, implying that individuals often accept what they are presented without skepticism (“you eat it up, what they feedin’ you”).

The chorus and verses portray her as a healer or truth-teller (“doctor”) capable of breaking curses and revealing illusions. The Spanish bridge reinforces this notion by referring to her as a “witch doctor” or “curandera,” highlighting her role as a figure who heals or provides clarity. Ultimately, the song critiques uncritical belief and champions the importance of self-awareness and spiritual/intellectual autonomy.

The collaboration traces back to a casual remark: Badu told her partner Cold Cris she had always wanted to rap over Mobb Deep’s “The Realest” — a track produced by The Alchemist. An introduction was arranged, and the pair soon entered the studio together. Their first session in Los Angeles produced “Next to You,” which set the template for the full project.

From there, The Alchemist sent Badu a batch of instrumental beats. Rather than simply layering vocals over the finished productions, she deconstructed them — adding kalimba notes, immersive chords, and additional drums to reshape the tracks into something that felt entirely her own. The resulting sound drifts between soul, blues, funk, rock, jazz, and underground hip-hop without settling into any single category.

Between 2024 and 2025, Badu and The Alchemist road-tested the material in intimate, phone-free live settings, performing with Badu’s collective The Cannabinoids and The Alchemist on the MPC.

The pair are currently touring North America, the UK, and Europe, with additional U.S. dates recently added. Full tour information is available at erykahbadu.com.
Erykah Badu + The Alchemist joint 2026 tour Dates:

Sep 10 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
Sep 11 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Sep 13 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
Sep 15– Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion
Sep 17– Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Sep 18– Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
Sep 20 – Washington, D.C. – Wolf Trap
Sep 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater
Sep 24– Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Sep 26– San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Sep 27 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
Sep 28 – Highland, CA – Yaamava Theater
Sep 29 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

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