André 3000 announces his first new album in 17 years
After a 17-year break from sharing his own music since the split of OutKast, André 3000 has announced plans to release an album of flute instrumentals titled New Blue Sun on November 17th.
The musician rose to prominence as one half of the aforementioned hip-hop duo, making some of the most acclaimed hip-hop of the 1990s and early ’00s alongside his partner Big Boi. Since they split in 2007, his career has been reserved only for guest verses, collaborating with artists including Beyoncé, Anderson. Paak and Gorillaz.
According to 3000, the album began life while working with Tyler, the Creator, telling NPR, “I remember I had maybe four songs, and I was just kind of testing it out ’cause I wanted to see how a younger audience would perceive it. I live in Cali now, so I reached out to Tyler for him to check it out and I went to his house.”
While the album will be his first proper solo outing, this is not the first time 3000 has made an album alone. Despite the terminology, many fans consider the double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below as the first proper André 3000 solo album, with the duo splitting up to cut solo projects sold as one disc.
The former OutKast member also discussed his approach to music, noting how he prefers to make songs based on his muse, explaining, “If I can’t find a way to rock on it, I’ll just leave it there.”
Outside of 3000’s various guest verses, he has forayed into acting, playing Jimi Hendrix in the 2013 film All Is By My Side. His public appearances have also shown him doing various eccentric musical projects, including playing the flute on public transportation. Additionally, Outkast reunited for a tour in 2013.
In preparation for the album’s release, 3000 also said: “New Blue Sun was something that I realized, whoa, I really want people to hear it. I really want to share it. That’s my only gauge. I have to like it as a person, as an artist myself, because if I don’t like it I can’t expect nobody else to like it.”
New Blue Sun is set to arrive on November 17th, 2023. See the cover art below.
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