André 3000 Reveals Why He Believes Most New Rappers Sound The Same

André 3000 appeared on the latest episode of LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The Shop alongside Sexyy Red and others. They touched on a variety of topics, including André’s New Blue Sun and why he has yet to release a solo rap album. He and Sexyy Red also talked about how haters motivate them. That conversation sparked social media memes. Fans of André started “hating” on him so he could release a rap album.

The panel also touched on one of the most common critiques of modern popular hip-hop: it all sounds the same. Older fans lament the change in sound and pine for the days where hip-hop sounded the way it did a generation ago. Thanks in part to the rise of SoundCloud and the explosion in popularity of artists like Future and Young Thug in the mid-2010s, hip-hop evolved. André explained why he thinks so many new artists sound like what’s already popular, and his answer was a straightforward one.

André 3000 On Why He Believes Many New Rappers Sound The Same

“If we were to come out as OutKast when we thought we were ready, we wouldn’t be around today ’cause we sounded like everybody else. We sounded like who we were listening to,” said André 3000. “Now, I don’t think artists have time to cultivate themselves, so a lot of artists sound the same. You can quickly jump on a microphone — it’s awesome because you’re getting an immediacy, but you don’t get time to hone who you are […] Even Future came up in the Dungeon. I know Ray has Future recordings where Future sounds different; Future was rapping. It takes a minute. Even 2 Chainz. Like, Tity Boi was rapping.”

André 3000s’s critique of the artist development process, or lack thereof, is not an uncommon one. TikTok trends have made it the easiest it’s ever been to become famous. There are limited opportunities for development before they’re thrust onto a national scale. Rappers like J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar performed on small stages before getting their mainstream moment. Lamar infamously performed at Best Buy in Compton once. That opportunity for development no longer exists in how it did for rappers from their era. Future and 2 Chainz, the two rappers André cited, underwent dramatic changes in their approaches to music before becoming popular. If they came out today, they might not have had the chance because of how easy it is to release music and find fame. André’s perspective is an interesting one, and may provide an explanation for the way hip-hop continues to develop.

[Via]

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Andre 3000 Explains Why The Flute Is More Rewarding Than Rapping

Andre 3000 has never liked conventions. He was breaking stylistic and sonic boundaries at every turn as part of Outkast. As a solo artist, he’s broken even more ground. Andre will stop appear on a rap song and deliver a devastating sixteen, but rapping doesn’t excite him like it used to. The artist prefers to play the jazz flute, as evidenced by his album New Blue Sun. Fans and rapping peers may want him to do what made him famous, but Andre 3000 is more concerned with following his muse.

The artist talked about his transformation from rapper to flute player during his recent appearance on HBO’s The Shop. He freely admitted that he was not an exceptional flute player. He went as far as to say that he doesn’t know what he’s doing when he’s on stage. The lack of awareness, and mastery, however, is part of the appeal. “I don’t know what notes I’m playing, to be completely honest,” he told the hosts. “I’m not trying to pretend like I know what I’m doing, in a way. I actually don’t know what I’m doing and that’s part of the art.”

Read More: Andre 3000 Claims Pimp C Hated His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse

Andre 3000 Enjoys Being A Novice In A New Genre

Andre 3000 also addressed the his controversial statement about not wanting to rap over 40 years old. He told The Shop hosts that he supports people who continue to rap, but simply feels that he does not have the passion he once did. “I got homies my age and older than me that still rap,” he admitted. “So if it’s in you, you should rap until you die… But what I’m saying is, what it takes for me to do it, I’m always looking for the next.” The Outkast artist stated, very clearly, that he does not intended to do what’s expected of him simply because it’s expected.

Those lamenting the lack of Andre 3000 bars in the future needn’t throw in the towel, though. Three Stacks made it clear that he is open to rapping again, but it will need to be under circumstances that inspire him. “I can’t say [things] in a fresh, innovative way, if I feel like I’m just hanging onto the same flow that I used to do, it’s not enough for me,” he explained. “So I can’t talk for another rapper about what they doing. I just say, ‘Man, go for it. If it’s in you.’”

Read More: Andre 3000 Credits Jazz With Restoring His Passion For Music

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André 3000 Wants LL Cool J And Others To ‘Rap Until You Die,’ But He Still Isn’t A Fan Of It Past 40-Years-Old

In the teaser clip of The Shop, André 3000 admitted to using critiques from haters as fuel.

Following André 3000’s November 2023 interview with GQ, his tank runneth over. To this day, he continues to receive pushback regarding his “rapping over 40” comment. So, during his appearance on The Shop he addressed that and latest critic of his stance, LL Cool J.

“To me, I feel like if it’s in you,” he said. “Cause I got homies my age and older than me that still rap. So if it’s in you, you should rap until you die. You should perform until you die. But what I’m saying is, what it takes for me to do it, I’m always looking for the next. I’m not trying to uphold a thing that I’ve done before.”

Despite his perceived indifference to making an official return to rap, he hasn’t completely turned away from the possibility. “Of course, I have things to say now,” he said. “But if I can’t say them in a fresh, innovative way, if I feel like I’m just hanging onto the same flow that I used to do, it’s not enough for me. So I can’t talk for another rapper about what they doing. I just say, “Man, go for it. If it’s in you.’”

Watch The Shop episode starring André 3000, Sexyy Red, Jerry Lorenzo, Jiaoying Summers, and Nigel Sylvester above.

Andre 3000 Claims He Doesn’t Remember His Iconic Source Awards Speech

Andre 3000 dropped several gems during his recent appearance on The Shop. He discussed taking hatred from others and using it to fuel creativity. He also talked about his experiments with jazz, and how it’s freed him up to do whatever he wants. The most fascinating revelation, though, was when the show’s other guest, Sexyy Red, asked about his iconic speech at the 1995 Source Awards. Andre 3000 reflected on the speech, before admitting that he doesn’t really remember what he said.

Sexyy Red was born in 1998, so she inquired about the intention of the speech during their Shop talk. Andre 3000 told the younger rapper that his memory of being onstage was hazy. “I don’t even remember the whole thing,” he admitted. What he did remember, however, was the sense of frustration he felt in the years leading up to the Source Awards. “N**gas hating on the South at that point,” he said. “I remember being really angry and driven because we’ve been creating this music, man. We’ve been in the Dungeon. And we just felt like, ‘Y’all don’t get it.’”

Read More: Andre 3000 Claims Pimp C Hated His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse

Andre 3000 Recalls Being Extremely Nervous On Stage

The reason why Andre 3000 struggles to remember his speech was because he was extremely nervous while giving it. “It was not planned,” he admitted. “It looked brave, but I was nervous as a motherf*cker. I was just angry, man.” Three Stacks, who was one half of Outkast at the time, felt that the South was not being afforded the same respect that New York was. Further adding to the frustration was the fact that both Andre and Big Boi were fans of the NY sound. “We love New York,” he said. “We grew up on all New York music, man. I just felt like, I don’t know, it just came out. And I just said that.”

Andre 3000’s speech has since been lionized by fans. It’s a classic moment in both Source and Southern hip-hop history. It was so prominent, in fact, that Outkast used audio from the speech on their 1998 song “Chonkyfire.” The phrase that Andre 3000 uttered towards the end of his speech has become a rallying cry of sorts for the entire South. They had something to say, and so did Three Stacks. Even if he doesn’t remember it clearly.

Read More: Andre 3000 Delivers Sobering Update On Potential Outkast Reunion Album

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Andre 3000 Credits Jazz With Restoring His Passion For Music

Everybody wants Andre 3000 to rap. Fans want it, other rappers want it, this writer wants it. The problem is, Andre 3000 doesn’t. The Outkast icon decided to release his first solo album in 2023, and many were shocked to find that it was a collection of flute instrumentals. In an effort to quell the confusion (maybe a better word would be frustration), Three Stacks has gone on an extensive press tour. He even stopped by HBO’s The Shop to discuss his genre pivot. Hear him tell it, it’s the most important thing he’s done.

Andre 3000 told Shop hosts LeBron James and Maverick Carter that he does not claim to be an expert when it comes to jazz. He’s a fan, but he concedes that he’s far behind the musicians who have spent their lives studying the genre. “I don’t take myself that serious,” he explained. “Jazz is a studied music so I kinda just try to humanize [it].” The musician alluded to the song titles that he chose for the album. He admitted that he chose silly titles in an effort to remove the seriousness from the music. “It’s so elitist in ways,” he noted. “A lot of jazz cats went to school… I don’t want people to think I’m trying to be a jazz musician.”

Read More: Andre 3000 Announces North American Tour For “New Blue Sun”

Andre 3000 Enjoys Being Freed From Songwriting

Three Stacks then coined the term “sonic displayist,” which would have been a killer album title, frankly. “I don’t know what notes I’m playing to be completely honest,” he told the room. “I don’t know what I’m doing and that’s part of the art.” Andre 3000 compared the process of making jazz to rapping, and went on to admit that he’s never felt more free as an artist. “This is most free I’ve ever been,” he admitted. The biggest difference, from Andre’s perspective, is the way in which he’s able to let the music, rather than the lyrics, guide him.

Andre 3000 considers himself a songwriter over a freestyler, which means his Outkast verses were always words first, music second. By removing words, the artist is able to follow his muse anywhere he sees fit. This means that every performance is different. “We really don’t know where we gon’ go,” he explained. “And it’s kinda like you have to feel it out. It’s really an exploratory thing, man.” As much as fans want to hear him rap, it’s difficult to deny Three Stacks’ passion.

Read More: Andre 3000 Reveals Smart Reason Why He Has An Instagram Account

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[WATCH] Andre 3000 Recalls Pimp C Being Mad At His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse

Screenshot 2024 07 09 at 11.31.44 PM

While appearing on LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The Shop series, Outkast’s Andre 3K reflected on the late Texas rapper being “really mad” at him when he submitted his verse for the 2007 hit.

“Rest in peace Pimp [C], but I got a [funny] story about that,” André said when co-host Paul Rivera asked him about his verse on the song. “Pimp was so mad at me because they sent the beat and I wrote my verse, put my words down and I took the beat out for me to rap.”

“When I sent it back to them, Pimp was like, ‘Fuck this muthafucka, man! This n-gga done goddamn took my beat out! Who the fuck he think he is?!’ So he was really mad at the choice that I had made to take the beat [out]. I don’t know if it was Bun or somebody, they were like, ‘Nah, but you don’t understand, when that beat drop, though, it sets it off.’ So it’s almost like a set-up. So it worked, and once he got that, he was like, ‘Okay, okay.’ But he was so mad at me.”

Veteran A&R Jeff Sledge previously told this story on an episode of ItsTheReal’s A Waste of Time podcast in 2016.

“When André sent his piece back and had no drums, [Pimp C] was pissed off,” he explained. “He was like ‘Fuck André, man! How the fuck is he gonna send my shit back and take my drums out? Fuck that.’ He was going off about André taking the drums out. I was like, ‘Chad, hold up fam. Let’s rock it like that because when André doing a capella and then when the beat drops, that’s when your verse drops. And then your verse is gonna lift the record up because now the beat is rocking and your verse is kicking.’

The post [WATCH] Andre 3000 Recalls Pimp C Being Mad At His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Andre 3000 Recalls Pimp C Being Mad At His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse appeared first on The Source.

Andre 3000 Claims Pimp C Hated His “Int’l Players Anthem” Verse

Andre 3000 has too many classic verses to count. That being said, his turn on “Int’l Players Anthem” might be one of his most celebrated. It’s quotable, eccentric, and it all plays out before the drums to the main instrumental kick in. It distinguishes Andre’s verse from the other rappers on the song, aka Big Boi and UGK. As beloved as the verse and the song is today, though, Pimp C was not happy when he first heard it. The things that make it unique are the very things that rubbed the UGK rapper the wrong way.

Andre 3000 shared this anecdote during his recent appearance on The Shop. He recounted the making of the song, and his unorthodox choice to remove the drums from his verse. He sent the verse back with just the sample, and Pimp C was livid. “Pimp was so mad at me,” Andre 3000 recalled. “Because they sent the beat and I wrote my verse, put my words down and I took the beat out for me to rap.” Pimp C wasn’t disappointed with the bars, but he felt like the song had been changed without his permission. “Pimp was like, ‘Fuck this muthaf*cka, man! This n**ga done goddamn took my beat out,” Andre said. “Who the f*ck he think he is?!’ He was really mad at the choice that I had made to take the beat [out].”

Read More: Andre 3000 And Sexyy Red Will Appear On A New Episode Of The Shop

Andre 3000 Claimed Pimp C Disliked The Beat Change

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. Andre 3000 told The Shop hosts that others made the case for keeping the verse the way it is. “I don’t know if it was Bun [B] or somebody,” the rapper called. “They were like, ‘Nah, but you don’t understand, when that beat drop, though, it sets it off.’ So it’s almost like a set-up. So it worked, and once he got that, he was like, ‘Okay, okay.’” The gamble paid off. “Int’l Players Anthem” peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was UGK’s first and only entry on the charts, and remains their most successful single.

While The Shop episode marks the first time Andre 3000 has shared the Pimp C story, a similar anecdote was shared by A&R Jeff Sledge during a 2016 appearance on the A Waste of Time podcast. The change in Sledge’s version was that it was him, not Bun B, who urged Pimp C to keep Andre’s verse without the beat. “Let’s rock it like that,” the A&R recalls saying. “Because when Andre doing acapella and then when the beat drops, that’s when your verse drops. And then your verse is gonna lift the record up because now the beat is rocking and your verse is kicking.” Whoever made the call, we’re thankful.

Read More: Andre 3000 Announces Summer Tour Dates

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André 3000 And Sexyy Red Confess To Running Off Of ‘Hater Fuel’ In A Teaser Clip Of ‘The Shop’

Andre 3000 The Shop Interview Screenshot 2024
YouTube

The next episode of LeBron James‘ unscripted show, The Shop, is nearly here. Each episode sets to match unlikely pairs for a deeply introspective chat about life, business, and more. For the forthcoming video, the seemingly unlikely duo is André 3000 and Sexyy Red.

However, in the teaser clip of the episode shared online today (July 9), André 3000 and Sexyy Red revealed they have a lot more in common than others may think. Outside of the obvious (being rappers), both confessed to being motivated by negative remarks and public ridicule.

“Like, they still don’t believe in me,” said Sexyy Red. “So, I just be like, ‘Imma just show you I am.’ Like he said, ‘They don’t understand.’ We really came from nothing, and then we be making a big achievements. That’s something for us. But they just be like, ‘You ain’t doing nothing.’”

“Use it for fuel,” added André. “Hater fuel is the best sh*t man. It’s free energy.”

“I like when they talk about me,” chimed Sexyy.

André echoed Sexyy’s response. “That make me go, it makes me go in. I love when someone doubt you.”

“Because now I’m finna show you something,” closed Sexyy.

Watch the full promotional clip of André 3000 and Sexyy Red’s upcoming appearance on The Shop below.

The full episode is scheduled to be shared to The Shop’s official YouTube channel on July 11. Find more information here.

Andre 3000 And Sexyy Red Will Appear On A New Episode Of The Shop

Andre 3000 and Sexyy Red are superstars on different ends of the spectrum. Andre is an established legend who’s trying to expand upon his legacy. Sexyy Red is a rising talent who is still trying to define her legacy within the hip-hop genre. These differences are what will make their joint appearance on HBO’s The Shop such a fascinating watch. The two artists will sit down with the Shop hosts on July 11 to talk about their careers and their artistic ambitions.

A teaser from The Shop episode was released on July 9. It sees Sexyy Red address the criticisms that have been leveled at her since she first broke out. “They still don’t believe in me, so I’m just gonna show you who I am,” she explained. The rapper also talked about the frustration of finding huge success, only to have it be diminished by others. “Ain’t nobody doing this,” she asserted. Andre 3000 chimes in with support, telling Sexyy Red to use the hatred from others to fuel her creativity. “Use it for fuel,” he said. “Hater fuel, man, it’s the best sh*t.” The Outkast icon noted that negative attention is just free energy from others.

Read More: Andre 3000 Reveals Smart Reason Why He Has An Instagram Account

Andre 3000 Urges Sexyy Red To Use Criticism As Fuel

Sexyy Red admitted that she feeds off the negative energy in the same way that Andre 3000 did when he was experimenting with different sounds in the 1990s. Andre incurred similar criticism, in fact, during a different episode of The Shop. LL Cool J recently went on the HBO talk show, and he called out Andre 3000 for making a flute album instead of a rap album. “I need him to spit,” LL told Lena Waithe. “Flutes? Man, come on, bro. His bars is all the way up. I’m very clear. Not the flute, B. Not the flute. Don’t do the flute.” Ironically, LL’s criticisms are the same thing that Andre 3000 claims to benefit from during his Shop teaser.

“That make me go in,” Andre revealed. “I love when somebody doubts you.” The rapper also noted how important it is to follow your muse, even when it leads to pushback from peers. During the same Shop appearance, he relayed a story in which Pimp C was frustrated with him. The late UGK legend didn’t like the way Andre 3000 rapped over “Int’l Player’s Anthem,” and yet, it’s become the most iconic verse on the song. We can’t wait to see what else the rapper reveals during the episode.

Read More: Andre 3000 Announces North American Tour For “New Blue Sun”

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André 3000 Announces Fall North American Tour in Support of ‘New Blue Sun’

André 3000 Announces Fall North American Tour in Support of 'New Blue Sun'

Following the release of his critically acclaimed solo album “New Blue Sun” on Epic Records, André 3000 has unveiled a North American tour set for this fall. The instrumental album, co-produced with Carlos Niño and featuring a talented ensemble including Nate Mercereau and Surya Botofasina, marks a new sonic territory for the celebrated artist.

The tour will kick off in New Orleans, including performances at renowned venues such as The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, the John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, June 28th, at 10 a.m. local time.

Fans can expect an immersive experience showcasing André 3000’s innovative approach to music, blending improvisation with a celebratory atmosphere. This tour is a must-see for music enthusiasts eager to witness André 3000’s artistic evolution firsthand.

NEW BLUE SUN – LIVE IN CONCERT

September 19 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater 

September 21 – Dallas, TX – AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House

September 22 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater

September 25 – Houston, TX – The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts

September 27 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium 

September 28 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center

October 1 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys By The Bay 

October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre

October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theatre

October 5 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater

October 9 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theater 

October 11 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre 

October 14 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 

October 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater 

October 17 – Denver, CO – Ellie Caulkins Opera House 

October 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Northrop 

October 21 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed

October 22 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre 

October 25 – Brooklyn, NY – BAM Howard Gilman Opera House

October 30 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre

November 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark

November 2 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre

November 8 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater

November 9 – Washington, DC – The Kennedy Center

November 12 – Durham, NC – DPAC

November 14 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

The post André 3000 Announces Fall North American Tour in Support of ‘New Blue Sun’ first appeared on The Source.

The post André 3000 Announces Fall North American Tour in Support of ‘New Blue Sun’ appeared first on The Source.