André 3000 will, most likely, always be most revered for his outstanding contributions to hip-hop, most prominently as one half of the legendary rap duo Outkast, alongside Big Boi. He’s no stranger to lists claiming to declare the ‘Best Rappers of All Time’, and deservedly so. His lyricism has helped to create some of the most iconic tracks since the early 1990s, both alongside Big Boi and through contributing verses to an eclectic roster of stars, from Gwen Stefani to Erykah Badu, and Beyoncé to Kanye West. As impressive his illustrious rapping career is, that’s not why I’m penning this feature.
In the last 5 years or so, André 3000 has embarked on an immense musical and spiritual shift, leaving lyricism for new-age jazz. His first album in 17 years, New Blue Sun, was released in 2023, and it is 90 minutes of breath-taking flute and ambient, healing jazz noise, with not a single beat, bar or lyric to be heard – a stark difference to the sound he made his name from.
Despite there being some prior hints, such as through his 2018 partnership with James Blake, for the jazz track Look Ma No Hands, and prior live flute performances as far back as 2019, it’s safe to say the shift took the majority of his fanbase by surprise, with many seemingly disappointed by the drastic change conveyed in his music and identity.
I, unsurprisingly, don’t share that sentiment. I do appreciate why listeners may be confused and disappointed, as the album is so different from his prior work. It is a fantastic and inspired creation though, and, aside from it being a spellbindingly meditative and healing record, André’s fearlessness in exploring his creative identify deserves the utmost respect. His dramatic exertion of the most intense form of artistic freedom is astounding. The former rap icon clearly has a priority – to express himself and his creative visions in a way which feels the most genuine. New Blue Sun absolutely affirms this. Despite its lack of lyricism, it is saturated with spirit, and the most moving artwork André 3000 has ever produced.
With a record like this though, I think it is key to be experienced in the right context. His performance left fans divided at London’s All Points East Festival, back in August. I was there, and was incredibly excited to see his work translated into a live performance. It was, however, slightly underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but praise and admiration for André’s new music and creative identity, and New Blue Sun is, as you might have guessed, one of my favourite releases of 2023, especially in the jazz realm. But when sandwiched between rap icons Nas and Loyle Carner, performing in a Victoria Park field at 8:30pm to a crowd of hip-hop heads, it was never going to get the reception it deserves. Despite it being probably the most emotionally charged performance of the day, it felt a bit flat – which is a real shame. It seemed to me it was not afforded the setting it deserved. In a live context, I can’t help but feel it should be experienced in an intimate, smoky jazz venue, to a small crowd who are as engaged and open to the experience as André himself is.
The handbrake turn of André 3000 is one of the biggest in history for an artist of his popularity and status. Whilst he hasn’t ruled out a return to rap, he’s previously stated that as of right now it would be ‘inauthentic’. He surely knew New Blue Sun would never be his most popular release – but that is not why he created it. The shift is emotional, powerful, and most importantly, 100% genuine – something modern music lovers should be grateful for. In an era of influencers, artists and creatives wanting to fit a perfect mould to be the most popular versions of themselves they can be, André 3000’s creative shift is refreshing, inspiring and well-worthy of the highest level of respect and admiration.
Waxing Lyrical 