Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas) is an American singer, songwriter and producer widely credited as a founding figure of neo-soul. Her debut album Baduizm (1997) reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and won two Grammys straight out of the gate. Over the following decades she built a catalog that weaves soul, jazz and hip-hop with socially conscious lyrics - from Mama's Gun (2000) to the New Amerykah diptych (2008/2010). With five Grammy wins and the 2024 CFDA Fashion Icon Award to her name, she ranks among the most influential artists of her generation.
Badu announced her 'LIVE' tour for fall 2026, together with producer The Alchemist and De La Soul as co-headliners.
She released a jubilee re-edition of Mama's Gun to commemorate the album's 25th anniversary, in multiple limited vinyl editions.
Spotify celebrated the 25th anniversary of Mama's Gun with a special 'Spotify Anniversary' episode, recorded with bassist Thundercat at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.
Badu toured the US and Europe with the 'Mama's Gun '25: The Return of Automatic Slim Tour', in honor of the 25th anniversary of her second studio album.
The single 'Next to You', a collaboration with The Alchemist, appeared as a preview of the long-awaited joint album Abi & Alan - her first studio album in more than fifteen years.
