Edge Rewrite
everything Source code View original
// HTMLRewriter · presentation

This page was redesigned at the edge.

Cloudflare fetched the original article and streamed it through HTMLRewriter to apply an entirely new visual system without rebuilding the source page.

// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a438d0984ab42308

Jump to content

Before the World Blows

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Before the World Blows
A series of symbols translating to the album's title Before the World Blows.
Studio album by
Erykah Badu and the Alchemist
ReleasedAugust 28, 2026 (2026-08-28)
Recorded2024–2026
Genres
Length62:52
Labels
Producers
Erykah Badu chronology
But You Caint Use My Phone
(2015)		 Before the World Blows
(2026)
The Alchemist chronology
Better Than McDonald's
(2026)		 Before the World Blows
(2026)
Singles from Before the World Blows
  1. "Witch Doctor"
    Released: August 13, 2026

Before the World Blows is a collaborative studio album by the American singer Erykah Badu and record producer the Alchemist. It was released on August 28, 2026, by Control Freaq and Young. The album merges Badu's use of melodic and atmospheric compositions with the Alchemist's sampling techniques. It marks Badu's first project in eleven years, following the mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone (2015).

Badu met the Alchemist during her annual Birthday Bash in Dallas, with both having interest in working with each other beforehand. The Alchemist learned about Badu's production approach by using her instruments into his sample-based beats. The duo recorded and produced the album in the span of over eighteen months in Dallas and Los Angeles.

In promotion of the album in 2025, Badu and the Alchemist released its initial lead single "Next to You", previewed the track "Echos 19 (mix 122)", performed three shows in Japan, and went on The Abi & Alan Tour, with all performances being phone-free. The album was initially set for release on August 29, but was postponed as the Alchemist denied it would release that day. The album resumed promotion the following year with a new release date and the release of its lead single "Witch Doctor". Badu and the Alchemist are currently on a North American tour with De La Soul and Smino in September 2026.

Background

[edit]

Erykah Badu met the Alchemist during her annual Birthday Bash in Dallas that began in 2013, which featured guests including Yasiin Bey, Dave Chappelle, and former partner André 3000.[1] The Alchemist is a hip-hop record producer known for his boom bap revivalist-style, producing for artists including Freddie Gibbs, Boldy James, Armand Hammer, Roc Marciano, Earl Sweatshirt, Conway the Machine, Action Bronson, and Mike.[2] Badu first connected with the Alchemist because she wanted to rap over the instrumental from Mobb Deep's "The Realest" (1999), which was produced by the latter.[3]

Prior to their collaborative album, Badu's latest project was the mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone (2015),[4] and had not released a studio album since New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010).[5] At the time of the collaborative album's announcement, Badu had recently featured on Jamie xx's "F.U." (2025) and received her fifth[6] Grammy Award for her featured appearance on Rapsody's "3:AM" (2024).[7]

Development and production

[edit]

In September 2025, during Badu and the Alchemist's appearance on Drink Champs, the latter revealed that they produced the album together, in which he compared learning from Badu's approach to his experience with DJ Muggs from when he was a teenager.[8] The Alchemist took interest in working with Badu for years prior to meeting.[9]

After their initial meeting, the Alchemist sent Badu various instrumental beats, in which the latter brought her instruments into the former's samples.[9] They recorded the tracks in person and split time in their personal studios from Los Angeles and Dallas for several months.[8] In addition to production, from 2024 to 2025, the duo tested the album live in "intimate, phone-free settings" with Badu's collective the Cannibinoids and the Alchemist on the MPC.[9]

The Alchemist revealed that he was nervous when performing with Badu and her backup band the Cannabinoids, which lean on improvisation and intuition. Badu encouraged the Alchemist to use an MPC, having never used it on stage before.[8] The album was recorded and produced in the span of over eighteen months in Dallas and Los Angeles,[10] and features seventeen tracks.[11]

Composition

[edit]

Overview

[edit]

According to a press release, Before the World Blows "moves from soul, blues, funk, rock, jazz, and underground hip-hop."[12] The album blends the two's distinctive styles, with the Alchemist's discovery and manipulation of samples, and Badu's use of "melodic, beautiful and atmospheric" compositions.[8]

Tracks

[edit]

"Witch Doctor" is a "hypnotic zone-out" that runs for six minutes and a half, where Badu sings about breaking someone's curse because she's a "witch, oooh, doctor". In the middle of the track, she lists various witches that she does not represent: Elphaba, Glinda, Ursula, Sabrina, Maleficent, Stevie Nicks, Broom-Hilda, and Agatha. The Alchemist's "slow, heady beat" evolves the track Into a "campfire drum circle."[3]

Promotion and release

[edit]

2025

[edit]

It was reported in January 2025 that Badu was working on a collaborative album with the Alchemist, with the latter describing it as "life-altering."[1] They previewed a snippet, seemingly titled "Valentine", on Instagram the following month.[13] Badu officially announced the project on March 19, during an interview with Billboard.[4][5][14] On June 5, she announced that the album would soon release under her own record label Control Freaq.[15]

On June 20, 2025, Badu and the Alchemist released the single "Next to You" to streaming services,[16] following the former's performance in Dallas the previous night, which was live streamed as part of Amazon Music's Juneteenth special Forever in Rotation. The single samples Mobb Deep's "The Realest" (1999), which was also produced by the Alchemist.[17] It was initially the lead single for their collaborative album, which was originally titled Abi & Alan. "Next to You" quickly received criticism on social media for its AI-generated album artwork, also resembling the album cover for Sonic Youth's Goo (1990).[18] The Alchemist later responded to the criticism with "humor, sarcasm, and a few philosophical jabs" on X.[19] The duo additionally previewed another track titled "Echos 19 (mix 122)".[20]

Shortly after release of "Next to You", Badu and the Alchemist performed three shows at KT Zepp Yokohama in Japan throughout June 24 to 30, 2025.[17] On the former day, the duo announced The Abi & Alan Tour, which began on August 8, in Seattle and concluded on August 24, in Austin.[21] Presale for tickets of the concerts were provided by using the code Abi122, with general on-sale being made available on June 27.[22] On August 1, it was revealed that Badu and the Alchemist would preview Abi & Alan exclusively on their tour.[23] Attendees were required by security to place their cellphones in locked pouches.[24][25]

The album was initially set for release on August 29, 2025.[23] However, the day before it was set for release, Badu announced that the album was postponed.[26] The Alchemist would also deny announcing the release date for Abi & Alan,[27] despite promotional material listing the date.[28] On August 30, the duo appeared on Drink Champs.[29][28] On September 27, the track list for the album surfaced online, which featured guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Thundercat, DRAM, Earl Sweatshirt, and Kamasi Washington.[30]

2026

[edit]

On June 24, 2026, following no announcements concerning the album for nearly a year, Badu announced a North American concert tour with the Alchemist, De La Soul, and Smino. The tour began on September 10, at Highland Park, and is set to conclude on September 29, in Los Angeles. Additionally, in July, Badu performed four shows in Japan, and on August 9, performed at the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival.[31]

On August 13, 2026, Badu and the Alchemist officially announced that their collaborative album would be released on August 28, through Control Freaq and Young,[32] under the tentative title Sorry, We Don't Have an Album Title Yet....[10] The same day, they released the lead single "Witch Doctor".[3] They would later announce a website where the symbols on the cover could be decoded, revealing the final title as Before the World Blows.[33] On August 17, Badu and the Alchemist released the music video for "Witch Doctor", with consists of a running time of ten minutes.[34]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Financial TimesStarStarStar[35]
NMEStarStarStarStarHalf star[36]
Pitchfork7.5/10[37]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[38]
The Needle Drop6/10[39]

Will Dukes of Rolling Stone wrote that Before the World Blows "plays to both of their strengths and delivers exactly what fans have been waiting for".[38] A.D. Amorosi of Flood Magazine praised the combination of Badu's vocals and the Alchemist's production, highlighting her melodies and songwriting.[40] Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Mark Richardson described the album as "eccentric and often mesmerizing" and regarded it as a substantial collaboration, noting Badu's contributions to its production, instrumentation, arrangements and mixing.[41] In a release-day article for HotNewHipHop, Alexander Cole described the album as "a gorgeous blending of sounds".[42] Alice Vyvyan-Jones of DJ Mag likened the album to an extended studio jam, with the pair "trading sounds with an almost telepathic chemistry".[43] Billboard's, Angel Diaz described the music as an "immersive experience" and praised the Alchemist's versatility.[44]

Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times highlighted Badu's vocal range, describing the production as "flickering and shadowy".[35] Kiana Mickles of Pitchfork described the album as "seductive" and "pleasantly rambly", praising the duo's production while finding its middle section less engaging.[37]

Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop offered a more reserved assessment, praising Badu's vocals and the Alchemist's production, while feeling that the songwriting needed further refinement, with some of the tracks underdeveloped and others overly long.[39]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Erykah Badu, except where noted.[45]

Before the World Blows track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Echos" 
7:22
2."I Just Play a Part" (featuring DJ Creole Princess, Westside Gunn, and Joi)
  • Badu
  • DJ Creole Princess
4:22
3."Crossfade" 
5:33
4."Witch Doctor"
  • Badu
  • Rob Free
6:26
5."Valentine" (featuring DRAM)
  • Badu
  • DRAM
  • Badu
  • The Alchemist
  • Smead Hudman
  • Austin Johnson
2:28
6."Next 2 U" Barbara Gaskins2:58
7."Love Me Not" 
  • Raymond Davies
  • Mars Merkaba
4:13
8."Breezy" 
3:22
9."Abracadabra"Jay Electronica
  • Mike Chavarria
  • Jay Electronica
1:03
10."To the Moon (Plan C)" (featuring Steve Lacy)
  • Badu
  • Steve Lacy
4:16
11."They Ain't You" (featuring Thundercat) 
  • Badu
  • The Alchemist
4:49
12."What the People Say (Apostle 1)" 
  • Badu
  • The Alchemist
  • Zoltán Nemeth
  • Iván Szenes
2:32
13."Hot BiBi (Apostle 2)" 
2:05
14."No I.D." (featuring Westside Gunn)
  • Badu
  • Westside Gunn
  • Badu
  • The Alchemist
  • Karolak
3:52
15."I Know That Man" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt)
  • Badu
  • Earl Sweatshirt
  • Badu
  • The Alchemist
  • Oma Drake
3:15
16."Black Box" (featuring Kamasi Washington) 
4:16
Total length:62:52

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[45]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Erykah Badu – vocals, arrangement (all tracks); programming (tracks 1–6, 8–14, 16), kalimba (1, 2), Mellotron (3, 4), percussion (6, 8), handclaps (15)
  • The Alchemist – programming (all tracks), percussion (2), handclaps (15)
  • DJ Quik – percussion
  • RC Williams – synthesizer (2), keyboards (8, 12, 13), piano (15)
  • Westside Gunn – vocals (2, 14)
  • Joi Gilliam – vocals (2, 16)
  • Josef Leimberg – trombone (2)
  • DJ Creole Princess – vocals (2)
  • Thundercat – bass guitar (3, 4, 11)
  • Amen Khum Ra – vocals (3)
  • Carlos Perez – vocals (4), handclaps (15)
  • Frank Moka – percussion (4)
  • Rob Free – vocals (4)
  • Cold Cris – vocals (5), handclaps (15)
  • DRAM – vocals (5, 16)
  • Jay Electronica – programming (9)
  • Mike Chavarria – programming (9), handclaps (15)
  • Steve Lacy – bass guitar (10)
  • Young Guru – handclaps (15)
  • Jack Miller – handclaps (15)
  • Randy Brown – handclaps (15)
  • Earl Sweatshirt – vocals (15)
  • Kamasi Washington – saxophone (16)

Technical

[edit]
  • Erykah Badu – production, mixing
  • The Alchemist – production
  • Mike Chavarria – production, engineering, mixing
  • Young Guru – engineering, mixing
  • Zach Witness – engineering
  • Chris Godbey – mixing
  • Leslie Brathwaite – mixing
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Jay Electronica – production (9)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Before the World Blows
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[46]50
UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[47]10
UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)[48]47
UK R&B Albums (Official Charts)[49]7
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[50]32
US & Canadian College Radio Top 200 (NACC)[51] 21

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Mafa, Zakaria (January 16, 2025). "Erykah Badu x The Alchemist Reveal Colossal Album That Will Make Fans Happy". Stanisland Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (March 19, 2025). "Erykah Badu's long-awaited new album is a collaboration with The Alchemist". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on March 22, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Breihan, Tom (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist's Album Is Finally Coming Out". Stereogum. Archived from the original on August 14, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Scott, Damien (March 19, 2025). "In Dallas With Erykah Badu, a True Original Who's Prepping Her First Album in 15 Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (March 19, 2025). "Erykah Badu Prepping First New Album In 15 Years, Produced Entirely By The Alchemist". Stereogum. Archived from the original on June 6, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (March 19, 2026). "Erykah Badu Working on The Alchemist-Produced Album". Complex. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  7. ↑ Fu, Eddie (March 19, 2025). "Erykah Badu Working on First New Album in 15 Years with The Alchemist". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Diep, Eric (September 22, 2025). "Abi and Alan: What to Know About Erykah Badu and The Alchemist's Collab Album". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on February 20, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 Sandiford, Kayla (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu and The Alchemist team up for joint album". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Monroe, Jazz (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu and the Alchemist Finally Releasing Joint Album This Month". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Schube, Will (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu and The Alchemist Share New Single, Detail New LP, Apologize for Not Coming Up with an Album Title". Flood Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Fu, Eddie (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu, The Alchemist Announce New Album, Share "Witch Doctor"". Consequence. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  13. ↑ Rogers, Karlie (March 19, 2025). "Erykah Badu Teases First New Album in 15 Years, the Alchemist Producing". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on October 18, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  14. ↑ Greene, Andy (March 19, 2025). "Erykah Badu Is Prepping Her First Album in 15 Years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  15. ↑ Ali, Amina (June 5, 2025). "Erykah Badu Returns With First Album In 15 Years Under Her Own Label". Hot 97. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  16. ↑ Farrell, Margaret (June 20, 2025). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist - "Next To You"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 24, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Diaz, Angel (June 20, 2025). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Flip a Classic Mobb Deep B-Side for New Single 'Next to You': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 6, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  18. ↑ Fisher, Caroline (June 20, 2025). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Under Fire For AI-Generated Cover Art". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  19. ↑ Elibert, Mark (June 21, 2025). "The Alchemist Reacts Back at AI Cover Art Criticism". Complex. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  20. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (June 20, 2025). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist share two songs off long-awaited collab LP". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  21. ↑ Williams, Stereo (June 24, 2026). "Erykah Badu and Alchemist Announce U.S. Leg of Tour". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on October 16, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  22. ↑ Gregory, Allie (June 25, 2025). "Erykah Badu Announces 2025 Tour with the Alchemist". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Grant, Shawn (August 1, 2025). "Erykah Badu and The Alchemist to Premiere Abi & Alan Live Before Streaming Release". The Source. Archived from the original on April 18, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ Macomber, Shawn (August 20, 2025). "Review: Erykah Badu Brings a Soulful, Human-Centered Revolution to Miami Beach". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  25. ↑ Trapunski, Richard (August 22, 2025). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Played Their Full Upcoming 'Abi & Alan' Album at Phone-Free Toronto Concert". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on July 21, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  26. ↑ Pruitt, Simon (August 28, 2025). "Erykah Badu and The Alchemist's Joint Album Is Postponed". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on February 14, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  27. ↑ Horvath, Zachary (August 30, 2025). "The Alchemist Denies Announcing The Release Date For His Erykah Badu Joint Album". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  28. 1 2 Morton, Devin (August 31, 2025). "The Alchemist Seemingly Hints At A New Jay-Z Album During "Drink Champs" Interview". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on January 27, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ Watch the full Erykah Badu & The Alchemist "Drink Champs" episode. August 30, 2025. Archived from the original on January 19, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via Revolt.
  30. ↑ Horvath, Zachary (August 29, 2025). "Tracklist For Erykah Badu And The Alchemist's Collab Album Surfaces". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ Fu, Eddie (June 24, 2026). "Erykah Badu Announces 2026 Tour Dates with The Alchemist, De La Soul". Consequence. Archived from the original on June 25, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  32. ↑ Pappis, Konstantinos (August 13, 2026). "Erykah Badu and the Alchemist Releasing Collaborative Album This Month". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Decode the Album". www.b-t-w-b.com. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ Erykah, Badu; The Alchemist (August 17, 2026). Erykah Badu & The Alchemist - Witch Doctor. Retrieved August 24, 2026 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. 1 2 Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (September 3, 2026). "Erykah Badu is as impressive as ever on 'Before the World Blows' — album review". Financial Times. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  36. ↑ Saleh, Oumar (September 1, 2026). "Erykah Badu, The Alchemist – 'Before The World Blows' review: cosmic soul for a fractured world". NME. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Mickles, Kiana (September 4, 2026). "Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  38. 1 2 Dukes, Will (September 1, 2026). "Erykah Badu and the Alchemist Want You to Live in the Moment 'Before the World Blows'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  39. 1 2 Fantano, Anthony (September 2, 2026). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist - Before the World Blows". The Needle Drop. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  40. ↑ Amorosi, A.D. (September 2, 2026). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist, Before the World Blows". Flood Magazine. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  41. ↑ Richardson, Mark (September 1, 2026). "'Before the World Blows' Review: Erykah Badu's Psychedelic Return". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  42. ↑ Cole, Alexander (August 28, 2026). "Before The World Blows - Album by Erykah Badu & The Alchemist". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  43. ↑ Vyvyan-Jones, Alice. "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – Before The World Blows". DJ Mag. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  44. ↑ Diaz, Angel (August 28, 2026). "Erykah Badu & The Alchemist's 'Before the World Blows': All 16 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Before The World Blows / Erykah Badu / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – Before the World Blows". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 4/9/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 4/9/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart on 4/9/2026 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Erykah Badu Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  51. ↑ "NACC Chart - Top 200 Summary Chart". North American College and Community Radio Chart. September 8, 2026. Retrieved September 17, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Before_the_World_Blows&oldid=1377235863"