André Benjamin, higher generally known as André 3000, mentioned he sees a “completely different person” when he seems to be again at his early profession, when he rose to fame within the Nineties as half of the best-selling hip-hop group OutKast.
“Like I’m 48 now,” he mentioned in an interview with CBS News. “I think like the older you get, you kind of get this skin or this…protective layer that’s like…things kind of roll off or you better because you have a better understanding of the rollercoaster in a way.”
That rollercoaster has included a pivot from hip-hop to a ardour for enjoying the flute.
“I don’t sit and try to rap every day like when I was younger, and that’s all I did when I was younger,” he mentioned. “I miss those times a lot, but it’s like: life changes, life moves on.”
André 3000 now has a set of some 30 woodwinds. And at document producer Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, he recorded his new instrumental album, “New Blue Sun,” which was launched in November.
The album marks a divergence from his rap roots, with its first tune humorously titled, “I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time.”
André 3000 mentioned he understands the frustration some followers may really feel after 17 years of ready for a brand new album. It will not be what they’re used to, or anticipated.
“When people ask me about a rap album, ‘Man, I would love a rap album, I’m with you,'” he mentioned. “But it’s like, I want to be with you when I’m really on it.”
He mentioned he has “no idea” why he is “not on it,” on condition that he writes down concepts and lyrics on a regular basis.
“Maybe I haven’t found a music that’s inspiring enough for me to want to write raps to. Maybe I gotta find a new way to rap,” he mentioned.
“Maybe I exhausted a thing,” he continued. “And sometimes you have to kind of try something else.”
Many followers had been shocked by the shift. With OutKast, André 3000 helped create the southern hip-hop scene, and the group grew to become the most important crossover rap group in historical past. Their 2003 album, “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” grew to become the best-selling hip-hop album of all time this September.
But as hip-hop marked its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months, André 3000 turned down each invitation to have a good time.
“I wouldn’t want to be — I’m doing it just because I’m trying to meet an expectation,” he mentioned. “I didn’t get into OutKast for that, you know.”
“We were just kids, like trying to see how far we could take it,” he mentioned.
Now, André’s ardour for the flute is obvious. He finds it arduous to be with out one.
“I’ve gotten so used to it. I kind of have a muscle memory of holding it. So when I don’t have it, like I’m trying to find something to do with my hands when I end up putting them in my pockets, you know, but because I’m used to kind of like fiddling around,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the “humanness” of the instrument, together with its portability and speedy sound, made him fall for it, even with out being a educated musician.
“I don’t even know what notes I’m playing. So everything, every move for me is new, which is kind of crazy, but it feels great to do it because when you find things, you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s like a reward for searching,'” he mentioned.
The shift from rap icon to flute fanatic isn’t just a change in musical fashion, but in addition represents to him the significance of doing issues he enjoys.
“People are judging you, of course, which they should,” he mentioned. “I think the audience is important, but I don’t think catering to an audience is important at all.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andre-3000-album-new-blue-sun-outkast-life-changes-life-moves-on/
