The globe trotting André 3000 is planting his feet firmly on the ground with the upcoming release of his first solo album this Friday, Nov. 17.
Often spotted roaming the streets with a flute, this time André 3000 took the instrument to the studio for his instrumental album New Blue Sun. Yes, the legendary member of Outkast and highly sought-after collaborator in hip-hop, did not make a rap album.
In an exclusive interview with NPR, the Hey Ya! Singer explained that he decided to make a jazz album when he learned how the revolutionary genre challenged established musical traditions during its time and owned the cultural space which hip-hop now holds.
“Jazz was the rap of that time. These dudes, they were smoking. They were doing heroin. They were in clubs. We trade verses; they [were] trading solos,” he told NPR. “[When] you really get into it and you really understand what they were doing — and how rebellious what they were doing [was] — you’re like, man, this is the ultimate.”
It’s no surprise that André 3000 found the rebellious nature of the genre appealing given his eclectic style, music, and personality, but what seems to appeal to him the most isn’t its counterculture sounds. Sounds are universal and can be interpreted in more ways than words ever can, and with a rap legacy largely established in the past, the rapper decided to replace his words with the dynamic sounds of a flute.
The result is an eight track, 87 minute long album with song titles that are almost like poetry or philosophical statements. Take track three for example, titled That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Sh¥t Was Wild.
Featured on the album are jazz instrumentalists like percussionist Carlos Niño, guitarist Nate Mercereau, and keyboardist Surya Botofasina. And so far artists like Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator, who André 3000 previewed the album to, have approved of the quartet’s coalescence.
Now, he’s ready to share his new sound with us.
Are you excited to hear André 3000’s flute musings? Read the tracklist below and send us a tweet telling us which song you’re most excited for.
New Blue Sun Tracklist:
- I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
- The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina . Do You Agree?
- That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control … Sh¥t Was Wild
- BuyPoloDisorder’s Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered
- Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé
- Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy
- Ants To You, Gods To Who ?
- Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens