Erykah Badu and The Alchemist Announce Joint Album, Out August 28, 2026
Erykah Badu and producer The Alchemist have announced the full details of their joint album, Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment. It arrives Friday, August 28, 2026, with 16 tracks recorded over 18 months between Dallas and Los Angeles. The title itself had already been teased for weeks through a puzzle-style rollout before this confirmation.
Who's on the album
The 16-track guest list spans hip-hop, jazz and R&B. Westside Gunn appears on two songs; the rest of the featured artists each turn up once:
- Steve Lacy
- Thundercat
- Earl Sweatshirt
- Kamasi Washington
- Westside Gunn (two tracks)
- DRAM
- Joi
- DJ Creole Princess
A puzzle instead of a press release
Rather than a standard announcement, the album's title was revealed gradually through a scavenger-hunt-style promo campaign, including cryptic posters spotted in cities like Sydney that fans pieced together to arrive at the full name, Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment. The subtitle nods to the pair's given names.
Recording and release details
Recording took place over 18 months, with sessions moving between Dallas, where Badu has long been based, and Los Angeles, where The Alchemist works. This marks the first full-length project the two have released under a joint credit.
- Album: Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment
- Artist: Erykah Badu & The Alchemist
- Release date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Tracks: 16