Erykah Badu and The Alchemist Played Hollywood Bowl
The duo closed their September tour with an star-studded performance designed by visual artist Lauren Halsey.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
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Erykah Badu and The Alchemist held a concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday to conclude their LIVE: A September Tour. The event featured guest appearances from Flea, Earl Sweatshirt, DRAM, and DJ Creole Princess.
Why it matters
The performance celebrated the release of the duo's new collaborative album, which dropped in August. It also highlighted a unique visual collaboration with artist Lauren Halsey, who designed the stage set.
The setlist featured 11 songs from the duo's new album, which contains 16 total tracks. The release marks a return for Badu, ending a 16-year gap since her previous studio album.
The players
Erykah Badu
An influential singer and songwriter who released a collaborative album with The Alchemist in August 2026.
The Alchemist
A prominent hip-hop producer who toured with Erykah Badu in September 2026.
Lauren Halsey
A visual artist who designed the stage set for the Hollywood Bowl concert as part of an emajendat takeover.
Flea
The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist who performed trumpet at the concert and released his own solo album in March 2026.
Anderson .Paak
A musician and performer who served as the opening act under the moniker DJ Pee .Wee.
The details
Opening act Anderson .Paak performed as DJ Pee .Wee before Badu and The Alchemist took the stage. During the performance of the song 'Black Box', Flea joined the duo to play the trumpet.
Timeline
March 2026: Flea released his debut solo album Honora.
August 2026: Badu and The Alchemist released their collaborative album.
September 29, 2026: Erykah Badu and The Alchemist performed at the Hollywood Bowl.
Industry Dynamics
This performance reflects the growing industry trend of integrating immersive fine-art visual installations into major live music sets. It demonstrates how artists are increasingly collaborating with visual designers to elevate the concert experience beyond traditional stage production.
Fans who missed the Hollywood Bowl event can access the duo's new 16-track album through major streaming platforms. The collaborative project is available to listeners worldwide following its August 2026 release.
The takeaway
Collaborative album cycles are increasingly defining the live touring experience as artists seek to showcase new material with live instrumentalists. Bringing high-profile guests on stage remains a primary method for creating unique, one-time moments during these tour finales.
Further reading
For more on the latest performances and projects in the scene, visit our Hip-Hop and Rap section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JamBase.
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