music
‘I’m an ever-changing vessel’: Erykah Badu on defying definition, life as a birth and death doula and her first album in 11 years
Why do the Texan innovator’s records take so long to make? ‘It’s important to gather the data,’ she says: the death, dating and dopamine behind her exquisite comeback alongside the Alchemist
TL;DR
- Erykah Badu discusses her new album 'Before the World Blows: The Abi and Alan Experiment' with producer the Alchemist.
- She explains that taking time between albums allows her to 'gather data' and draw from life experiences for her music.
- Badu shares her journey into becoming a certified birth and end-of-life doula, emphasizing the similarities between this work and performing on stage.
- She touches on gender politics in relationships, viewing modern dating as more transparent than fractured.
- Badu criticizes the current trend of defining behaviors, suggesting a lack of accountability and the need for more 'ass-whoopings'.
- She expresses concerns about phone addiction and social media's impact, particularly on younger generations.
- The article mentions her past relationships with André 3000 and Jay Electronica, and her ability to maintain friendships with exes.