August 2, 2025 — Erykah Badu has officially announced Mama’s Gun ’25: The Return of Automatic Slim Tour, a North American concert series commemorating the 25th anniversary of her landmark album Mama’s Gun, originally released in November 2000. The tour begins October 3 with a special performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, featuring rapper Westside Gunn as the opening act.
The tour will continue through October, November, and December, hitting major cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Boston, Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Houston. Badu will also make an international stop in Paris on October 29.
Mama’s Gun was Badu’s second studio album following her 1997 debut Baduizm. It included the hit single Bag Lady, which earned her Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001. The album is still regarded as one of the defining neo-soul records of the early 2000s.
Before launching the anniversary tour, Badu will tour North America this August with producer The Alchemist. The pair recently collaborated on the single Next to You and are expected to debut their new joint album Abi & Alan during the summer shows.
While fans have not received a new full-length project from Badu since her 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone, and her last studio album New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh came out in 2010, her influence remains profound and her concerts consistently draw wide audiences.
Erykah Badu’s decision to revisit Mama’s Gun after 25 years not only honors the legacy of a timeless record but also emphasizes her continued relevance in a music landscape that often overlooks the longevity of R&B and neo-soul. However, the fact that she hasn’t released a new solo studio album in over a decade may leave some fans wondering whether this tour is a celebration or a substitute. Still, her ability to draw excitement without fresh material is a testament to the enduring power of her earlier work.
