Erykah Badu Drops “Next To You,” Her First Lead Single of the Decade, with The Alchemist

Erykah Badu returns in full force with “Next To You,” her first lead single of the decade, created in collaboration with acclaimed producer The Alchemist.

Released via her newly launched label, Control Freaq Records, the track is a fully Badu-crafted piece—written, composed, arranged, and produced by the iconic artist herself. The Alchemist called the creative process a perfect alley-oop: he laid the foundation, and Badu brought it to life with her signature style and vision.

Touted as one of the most exciting collaborations in recent memory, the single also marks the beginning of a rare live experience. Badu and The Alchemist will perform together for the first time ever during The Abi & Alan Japan Tour, with dates set for June 24 in Osaka, June 28 in Tokyo, and June 30 in Yokohama.

This release follows Badu’s GRAMMY-winning feature on Rapsody’s “3:AM,” her fifth win overall. Meanwhile, The Alchemist continues to ride high off his recent collaborative project Life Is Beautiful with Larry June and 2 Chainz, which reached the Top 20 on radio and made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the 2025 BET Awards.

https://retroworldnews.com/erykah-badu-drops-next-to-you-her-first-lead-single-of-the-decade-with-the-alchemist/