The Queen of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu returns to Australia for the first time in 14 years. An American singer songwriter, record producer and actress, Badu is one of the most influential and enduring artists in contemporary music.

Influenced by R&B, 1970s soul and 1980s hip hop, Badu emerged in the 1990s as a central figure in the neo soul movement alongside artists such as D’Angelo and Maxwell. Her genre defining sound and cultural impact have firmly established her as the leading voice of the movement and one of the most important creative forces of her generation.

Since the release of her groundbreaking debut album Baduizm in 1997, Badu has continually pushed artistic boundaries, blending soul, jazz, funk and hip hop with spiritual and socially conscious themes. Her catalogue includes era defining albums Mama’s Gun and New Amerykah, works that remain foundational to modern R&B and Black music culture.

Badu is a five time GRAMMY Award winner, with nominations and wins spanning from 1988 through to 2025, underscoring a career that has remained creatively vital and culturally relevant for nearly four decades. Her influence extends beyond music into film, fashion, visual art and activism, reinforcing her status as a global cultural icon.

Renowned for her deeply intuitive, improvisational and emotionally resonant live performances, Badu’s return to the Bluesfest stage offers Australian audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the most important artists of the last 30 years in full live form.