Erykah Badu Returns with New Single “Next to You,” Produced by The Alchemist

Erykah Badu is back with “Next To You,” her first lead single of the decade. The track is a self-produced collaboration with acclaimed hip-hop producer The Alchemist, released on her new label, Control Freaq Records.

Badu wrote, composed, arranged, and produced the single, while The Alchemist provided the beat. He described their process as tossing her an alley-oop that she effortlessly finished. The record is already being called one of the decade’s biggest collaborations.

To celebrate Black Music Month, Badu performed Badu Presents: Echos 19 in her hometown of Dallas as part of Amazon Music’s Juneteenth celebration. She premiered a live version of “Echos 19 (mix 122),” now streaming exclusively on Amazon Music.

Badu also announced The Abi & Alan Japan Tour with The Alchemist, kicking off June 24 in Osaka and wrapping June 30 in Yokohama. Tickets are available at baduworldmarket.com.