Following a 15-year break from releasing albums, Erykah Badu is preparing for her surprising musical comeback. On March 29, Badu, known for hits like Window Seat, revealed her return to the studio during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at Billboard’s Women in Music event. Unsurprisingly, the announcement has led to numerous speculations surrounding the 54-year-old artist’s comeback. Given the reaction from fans, one must ask: can this momentum lead to significant album sales and critical acclaim?
Erykah Badu Plans Return with New Album
In the interview, Erykah Badu explained that she trusts when making creative decisions, including her choice to jump back into the music space. With her last album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), dropping in 2010, fans have been eagerly anticipating to hear her next project. Initially, Badu confirmed working with acclaimed hip-hop producer The Alchemist during a Billboard interview just weeks before her appearance at the event. Ultimately, the singer remained tight-lipped about specific details but teased her fans, promising they would get what they wanted.
Erykah Badu received the prestigious Icon Award at the ceremony, where she was recognized for her groundbreaking decades-long career. Reflecting on the honor, the singer described being an icon as surpassing her own expectations. Moreover, she acknowledged the importance of making such milestones meaningful reminders of her contributions to music.
Icon Award Acceptance Speech
Notably, Erykah Badu has won five Grammy Awards and five acclaimed albums, including her triple-platinum debut, Baduizm, released in 1997. Altogether, these accomplishments cemented her legacy as a neo-soul pioneer. When the question about her impact was asked, she expressed a desire to leave behind a trail of “pink glitter and gunpowder,” a metaphor for her unique blend of softness and strength.
After she had won, Erykah Badu was presented with the Icon award by singer Summer Walker, who shared an emotional embrace. Badu expressed gratitude to many people, including God, her mother, Kolleen Wright, and all mothers in her acceptance speech, ultimately reinforcing the deep personal connections that shape her artistry. So far, anticipation continues to build for her new album, leaving fans waiting for the next chapter in the singer’s influential career.
Badu Sparks Conversation on Artistic Expression
Erykah Badu commanded attention not only with her acceptance speech at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music ceremony but also with her bold fashion statement. The neo-soul icon is well known for her avant-garde style, wore a custom sculptural bodysuit that amplified the curves of a Brazilian Butt Lift to dramatic proportions. Although Badu both performed and accepted the Icon award, her striking ensemble sparked widespread debate across social media.
So far, fashion critics and fans have discussed various meanings behind her exaggerated silhouette, ranging from historical references of the female form to mocking modern beauty standards. For some observers, Erykah Badu’s look was inspired by 19th-century Sarah Barrtman, however, others saw parallels with ancient fertility figurines. Although Badu hasn’t provided an explanation for her outfit, she’d later share a conceptual short film featuring the controversial outfit on her social media platforms. Moreover, she credited her own creative vision for the radical design and designer Maya Hasbany, who brought it to life.
A Night for Praising All the Mothers
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Erykah Badu paid tribute to women’s enduring strength and beauty, describing the evening as a celebration of life’s creators. Moreover, Badu expressed deep gratitude for her own identity as a woman and honored women overall for being the wisest, most powerful beings on Earth. While thanking God for the gift of womanhood, she acknowledged her mother, Kolleen Wright, and all mothers worldwide, highlighting their profound influence in shaping lives through their authenticity, courage, and unwavering resilience.
Tina Knowles, Billboard’s Mother of the Year honoree, was also praised by Erykah Badu for her eloquent words about motherhood’s transformative power. Badu emphasized that women, especially mothers, are great examples of inner-strength and self-determination and that she embodies these qualities in both life and artistry. At the end of her speech, she gave a declaration of self-assurance, affirming her commitment to staying true to herself, the way mothers teach their children to do.
