Erykah Badu and the Alchemist launch co-headlining tour

X Facebook WhatsApp

Erykah Badu will return to North American stages this September, bringing a full-band collaboration with producer The Alchemist and a rotating lineup of guest acts. The schedule mixes festival appearances and arena dates, with select nights joined by veteran hip-hop group De La Soul, rising star Smino and other guest performers—making the run one of the most talked-about R&B-leaning tours of the season.

Why this matters now

The pairing of Badu and The Alchemist turns heads because it pairs a singular vocalist with one of contemporary hip-hop’s most respected beatmakers. Fans are watching closely: the two released a single, “Next to You,” and toured Japan together last year amid talk of an album titled Abi & Alan that has not yet appeared. These September dates are the clearest sign yet that the creative partnership remains active.

Tour dates and supporting lineup

The Alchemist will accompany Badu throughout the North American trek. Below are the announced stops; dates where De La Soul or Smino are confirmed are noted in parentheses. Promoters also say there will be additional guest appearances at select shows.

Sept. 8 — Richmond, VA — Richmond Jazz & Music Festival

Sept. 10 — Highland Park, IL — Ravinia Festival (with De La Soul)

Sept. 11 — Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre (with De La Soul)

Sept. 13 — Toronto, ON — RBC Amphitheatre (with De La Soul)

Sept. 15 — Cleveland, OH — Jacobs Pavilion (with De La Soul)

Sept. 17 — Uncasville, CT — Mohegan Sun Arena (with De La Soul)

Sept. 18 — Queens, NY — Forest Hills Stadium (with De La Soul)

Sept. 20 — Vienna, VA — Wolf Trap (with De La Soul)

Sept. 22 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater

Sept. 24 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium

Sept. 26 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre (with Smino)

Sept. 27 — Berkeley, CA — Greek Theatre (with Smino)

Sept. 28 — Highland, CA — Yaamava Theater (with Smino)

Sept. 29 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Bowl (with Smino)

What to watch for

There are several reasons these shows could be consequential beyond the immediate live experience. If Badu and The Alchemist are assembling new material, performances may preview unreleased tracks or extended collaborations. The presence of De La Soul at multiple dates signals a reunion of sorts for a landmark hip-hop act, while Smino’s involvement on the West Coast leg brings a younger, funk-inflected energy.

Logistics matter too: festival appearances (Ravinia, Richmond Jazz and Music Festival) mean set times and lineups will vary from the standalone amphitheater and arena nights. That can affect how long Badu’s set runs and whether special guests appear.

Quick takeaways

The Alchemist is billed as Badu’s collaborator across the entire North American tour.

De La Soul joins several East Coast and Midwest shows; Smino appears on multiple West Coast dates.

Fans hoping for an Abi & Alan album may find clues in live performances, but an official release has not been confirmed.

Expect a mix of festival and arena presentations, plus occasional surprise guests.

Tickets and venue details are available through each location’s box office and official ticketing partners; check event pages for exact start times and support-act confirmations as the tour approaches.