André 3000 quits rapping to focus on his actual passion, the flute
Updated: Dec 14, 2023
By Nilaris Roberts
(Epic Records)
Music
This month, André 3000, renowned as one-half of Outkast and a trailblazing rapper, cautiously reentered the music scene with his inaugural solo album, "New Blue Sun." Similar to his previous music style, it diverges from the hip-hop genre, presenting André as a supporting figure in an LP filled with contemplative experimental music. Andre tells Jeff Weiss of The Guardian,
"There may be opposition to this. But the feeling I got making it - the love I had for the music - was much greater than the fear."
How does this unconventional choice illuminate aspects of André's identity that have long defined him? In this week's Trash Talk, we dive into André's complex relationship with fame, the distinctive musical backdrop framing his comeback, and the nuanced interplay between being in the spotlight and maintaining a sense of concealment.
The move prompts reflection on the significance when a celebrated artist takes such a daring creative shift.
(Kai Regan/GQ)
Upon conquering the game, artists embark on diverse paths. Heavy hitters like Jay-Z and Nas boldly dive back in, amused by the art's seemingly effortless nature. Some, like Cole, engage with it periodically. Then there are those, exemplified by Andre, who choose an entirely new passion. Amid our ardent fandom, it's vital to acknowledge that artists owe us nothing. Our fortune lies in aligning with an artist's fulfillment.
He told GQ relative to rap,
“the longer I’m out of it, the better chances I have of staying out of it.’”
If Andre 3000 yielded to our desires, his remarkable foray into flute mastery might never have unfolded. Instead of releasing rap he's not wholly confident in, he transitioned from one-half of rap's successful duo to the culture's fluted wanderer. If, in 2023, all he offers is periodic rhyming treatises on friends' records, it's more than sufficient. We should all take notes from Andre 3000's journey and reflect on the passion we should be focused on.
Sources:
Epic Records, "New Blue Sun" Andre 3000 Album Cover
