New Blue Sun Archives - New Hip Hop News

Andre 3000 Compares Himself To Lil B While Describing “New Blue Sun” As “Punk Jazz”

September 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 compared his music to that of Lil B during an interview with the Recording Academy published on Wednesday. After mentioning Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the legendary Outkast rapper explained how his latest foray into instrumental music is similar to Lil B, who he described as having a “punk way of rapping.”

“A long line of historical bands like Sun Ra, the Chicago Art Ensemble. Even rapper Lil B,” he told the outlet. “I was joking to myself: I was like, I’m almost the Lil B of this type of music. Lil B is, they call it based rap. My son actually turned me on to Lil B. Because a lot of what he’s doing is made up or improv or really reactionary. It’s not this studied, perfect thing. Because I came up in the ‘90s, we came up with Nas and Wu-Tang and some of the [people] considered the best rappers around. It was about clarity. It was more of a studied kind of thing.”

Andre 3000 Performs In Norway

OSLO, NORWAY – AUGUST 08: Andre 3000 performs on stage at the Øyafestivalen on August 08, 2024 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Per Ole Hagen/Redferns)

He continued: “A person like Lil B is not studied at all. But the way the kids respond to him, it’s because of that. It’s kind of like a punk way of rapping, and I like it. [And what I’m doing is] almost like punk jazz or punk spiritual jazz. It’s pure feeling.” Andre put out his debut solo album, New Blue Sun, last year, ending his 17-year hiatus from music. In doing so, he moved away from hip-hop and into ambient jazz.

Elsewhere in his discussion with the Recording Academy, Andre spoke about performing the flute live, the evolution of his artistic expression, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Andre 3000 and Lil B on HotNewHipHop.

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André 3000 Film ‘Listening To The Sun’ Is An Intimate Experience For His New Album

August 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this year, André 3000 surprised longtime listeners by announcing that his new album, New Blue Sun, would be full of flute tunes instead of raps. In spite of this, the instrumental album also upset expectations in a good way, making Billboard history and turning him into a jazz legend as well as a rap one.

The new album just begs for an intimate listening session — and that’s exactly what his André’s companion film, Listening To The Sun, is. To star the 90-minute film, André introduces the album, lights a candle, and lets the mood move him as the album plays. “I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did,” he says. “What you hear is what we did as it was happening.” The film, directed by Terence Nance, isn’t terribly complex, but the soundtrack takes care of that.

Although New Blue Sun was well-received in general, though, André’s comments about rapping after 40 while promoting it certainly ruffled a few feathers. Lil Wayne called André’s thoughts “depressing,” while LL Cool J shot down the idea that there are no new ideas after 40. Still, most fans seem to be holding out hope that André will rediscover his inspiration, after his most recent rap verse, on Killer Mike’s “Scientists & Engineers,” not only scratched their longstanding itch for new André 3000 wordplay, but also helped Mike sweep the Grammys’ rap categories.

You can watch André’s film, Listening To The Sun, above.

Andre 3000 Addresses Backlash To His Controversial Comments On Aging In Hip-Hop

August 12, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 has spoken out on the backlash to his explanation for not continuing to make hip-hop music as he gets older. Speaking with Crack Magazine for a new cover story, the legendary Outkast rapper discussed his controversial comments on aging in hip-hop. “I’ve heard some rappers reply to what I’ve said about age, and I have to ask, ‘What are you rapping about?’” he began.

“Some are the best braggadocious rappers in the world, and we love them for that — but it’s so much easier to do that for the rest of your life. I don’t necessarily rap like that. Our formulas are different. He doesn’t know what it takes for me to do what I do. I don’t know what it takes for him to say the same thing over and over again and still keep it creative. But I love him for doing it.”

Andre 3000 Performs During Syd For Solen In Denmark

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – AUGUST 9: Andre 3000 with the band New Blue Sun performs on stage during Syd For Solen on August 9, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Andre originally shared the take during an interview with GQ from last year after the release of his instrumental album, New Blue Sun. “I’m 48 years old,” he said when asked why he isn’t rapping. “And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does. And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy.’ What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad.’”

Andre 3000 Appears On Cover Of “Crack Magazine”

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Elsewhere in the interview, Andre discussed the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar and why it makes him sad. Be on the lookout for further updates on Andre 3000 on HotNewHipHop.

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Andre 3000 Defends His Flute Album From LL Cool J‘s Criticism

July 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 has responded to LL Cool J’s criticism of his new album after the hip-hop legend took issue with his decision to transition into making ambient instrumental music. “Listen, he is amazing. His bars are all the way up. Not the flute, B. Not the flute,” LL Cool J had said during an appearance on LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The Shop. “Let’s not lie to ourselves. I don’t wanna hear him do the flute. You wanna hear me do a violin album?” Appearing on the latest episode of the show himself, Andre defended his latest album, New Blue Sun.

“To me, I feel like if it’s in you — ’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,” he said. “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. Of course, I have things to say now, 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.’”

Andre 3000 Performs At Blue Note Jazz Club

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: André 3000 performs at Blue Note Jazz Club on February 02, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images for ABA)

Andre dropped New Blue Sun back in November of last year after going 17 years without releasing a new project of his own. It received mixed responses from fans as Andre shifted away from hip-hop with the album. During an interview with GQ afterward, he admitted that he didn’t feel like he had anything interesting to rap about at his age.

Andre 3000 Sits Down With LeBron James, Sexyy Red, & More

Check out Andre’s latest comments on his musical direction on HotNewHipHop. Be on the lookout for further updates on Andre 3000 on HotNewHipHop.

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Andre 3000 Tour 2024: Tickets, Dates & More

June 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Following a series of highly praised intimate performances and major festival gigs, Andre 3000 is set to embark on a comprehensive North American tour this fall. This tour will promote his solo album, New Blue Sun, which dropped in November under Epic Records to critical acclaim. Co-produced by André and renowned multi-instrumentalist Carlos Niño, the album is entirely instrumental and showcases a variety of skilled musicians. New Blue Sun is an improvisational and celebratory auditory experience that has enthralled both audiences and critics. The tour aims to bring this distinct sound to some of the most iconic venues across the country.

Promoting New Blue Sun: A Focus On Jazz

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Andre 3000’s tour is designed to showcase his solo jazz project, New Blue Sun, which marks a departure from his iconic work with Outkast. Released last year to critical acclaim, New Blue Sun is a fully instrumental album that highlights André’s versatility and creativity as a musician. Unlike his Outkast efforts, which are rooted in hip-hop and funk, this album embraces jazz influences and showcases André’s skills as an instrumentalist and composer. The tour will bring this unique, improvised, and celebratory piece of work to life, providing fans with an entirely new and immersive musical experience.

Tour Details

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This special run of shows will feature the exceptional talents of Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks. The tour kicks off in New Orleans and will include 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 the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, among others. Tickets will go on sale on Andre 3000’s official website on Friday, June 28th at 10am local time.

Tour Dates

New Orleans, LA – September 19 – Orpheum Theater
Dallas, TX – September 21 – AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
Austin, TX – September 22 – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Houston, TX – September 25 – The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
Albuquerque, NM – September 27 – Kiva Auditorium
Mesa, AZ – September 28 – Mesa Arts Center
San Diego, CA – October 1 – Humphreys By The Bay
Los Angeles, CA – October 2 – The Greek Theatre
Santa Barbara, CA – October 4 – Arlington Theatre
Oakland, CA – October 5 – Fox Theater
Seattle, WA – October 9 – Paramount Theatre
Vancouver, BC – October 11 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Portland, OR – October 14 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Salt Lake City, UT – October 16 – Eccles Theater
Denver, CO – October 17 – Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Minneapolis, MN – October 19 – Northrop
Chicago, IL – October 21 – The Salt Shed
Detroit, MI – October 22 – Masonic Cathedral Theatre
Brooklyn, NY – October 25 – BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Boston, MA – October 30 – Boch Center Wang Theatre
Philadelphia, PA – November 1 – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
Akron, OH – November 2 – Akron Civic Theatre
Richmond, VA – November 8 – Altria Theater
Washington, DC – November 9 – The Kennedy Center
Durham, NC – November 12 – DPAC
Atlanta, GA – November 14 – Fox Theatre

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

June 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 will officially be performing his new solo album, New Blue Sun, across North America for an upcoming tour between September and November of this year. He announced the dates for the New Blue Sun — Live In Concert tour on Tuesday afternoon. The series of shows includes stops in Chicago, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and many more cities before concluding with a hometown concert in Atlanta.

On the road, Andre will be joined by Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, and Surya Botofasina with Deantoni Parks. Tickets for the tour will go on sale on June 28 at 10:00 AM, local time. The announcement comes after he already announced a summer tour with appearances at several global music festivals.

Andre 3000 Performs During 2024 Roots Picnic

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 02: Andre 3000 performs New Blue Sun during the 2024 Roots Picnic at The Mann on June 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban)

Andre released New Blue Sun as his first solo album following the indefinite hiatus of Outkast. It features a dramatic stylistic change from his time working with Big Boi. Rather than a hip-hop effort, New Blue Sun sees Andre operating purely with instrumentals and performing on his flute. Check out the full list of tour dates below and be on the lookout for further updates on Andre 3000 on HotNewHipHop.

Andre 3000 Reveals Schedule For “New Blue Sun – Live In Concert”

09/19 — New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theater
09/21 — Dallas, TX @ AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
09/22 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
09/25 — Houston, TX @ The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
09/27 — Albuquerque, NM @ Kiva Auditorium
09/28 — Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center
10/01 — San Diego, CA @ Humphreys By The Bay
10/02 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
10/04 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Arlington Theatre
10/05 — Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
10/09 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theater
10/11 — Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/14 — Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
10/16 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Eccles Theater
10/17 — Denver, CO @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
10/19 — Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop
10/21 — Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
10/22 — Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
10/25 — Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
10/30 — Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
11/01 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
11/02 — Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
11/08 — Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
11/09 — Washington, DC @ The Kennedy Center
11/12 — Durham, NC @ DPAC
11/14 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre

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

June 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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.

André 3000 Will Set Out On A North American Tour Thanks To ‘New Blue Sun – Live In Concert’

June 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

André 3000 surprised the world last year with New Blue Sun, his debut solo album that’s jazzy, flute-based music and definitely not the hip-hop for which he’s best known. Whatever the case, folks are just happy to see him making music again, and now they’ll get to do it on the road: Today (June 25), André announced New Blue Sun — Live In Concert, a North American tour that kicks off in September and ends in November.

On the road, André will be joined by a band featuring Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, and Surya Botofasina with Deantoni Parks. Tickets go on sale starting June 28 at 10 a.m. local time. More information is available on André’s website.

This follows a tour André had earlier this year.

Find the list of tour dates below.

André 3000 2024 Tour Dates: New Blue Sun — Live In Concert

09/19 — New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theater
09/21 — Dallas, TX @ AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
09/22 — Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
09/25 — Houston, TX @ The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
09/27 — Albuquerque, NM @ Kiva Auditorium
09/28 — Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center
10/01 — San Diego, CA @ Humphreys By The Bay
10/02 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
10/04 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Arlington Theatre
10/05 — Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
10/09 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theater
10/11 — Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/14 — Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
10/16 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Eccles Theater
10/17 — Denver, CO @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
10/19 — Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop
10/21 — Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
10/22 — Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
10/25 — Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
10/30 — Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
11/01 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
11/02 — Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
11/08 — Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
11/09 — Washington, DC @ The Kennedy Center
11/12 — Durham, NC @ DPAC
11/14 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre

Andre 3000 Announces Summer Tour Dates

June 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 will be embarking on the New Blue Sun Live Tour this summer to perform his latest solo album. The shows will span June to September with appearances at several global music festivals. The former Outkast rapper announced the tour in a post on Instagram, on Saturday, sharing a video of himself getting a teeth cleaning. Andre will be performing with Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks, although he noted in the post that the lineup is “subject to change.”

During the tour, Andre will be promoting New Blue Sun, his first full-length venture into ambient jazz music. Marking the end of his 17-year hiatus, it was met with generally positive responses from both critics and fans alike. Despite the acclaim, however, it only peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Andre 3000 Performs During Roots Picnic

Despite the stylistic change, a new release from Andre still has fans hopeful for an Outkast reunion. Speaking with legendary poet Hanif Abdurraqib during an appearance on The Bitter Southerner recently, he lowered those expectations. “People ask, ‘So, will there be another Outkast album?’” he shared. “I really can’t say, man. I do realize that our chemistries have changed. We’re different people. We’re totally different people. Not to say that we won’t be able to make any kind of music, but I think, yeah, people have to realize, like, even in relationships, man… chemistry should change after a while. And I think people think there’s this one thing that has to stay a way, but we are ever-changing, man.”

Check out the full list of dates for the New Blue Sun Live Tour below. Be on the lookout for further updates on Andre 3000 on HotNewHipHop.

Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun Live Tour Schedule

June 7–9 — Joshua Tree, CA @ Pappy + Harriet’s
June 28 — Toronto, ON @ Toronto Jazz Festival
June 30 — Montreal, QC @ Montreal Jazz Festival
July 8–10 — Paris, FR @ La Gaîté Lyrique
July 12 — Ghent, BEL @ Gent Jazz
July 13 — Rotterdam, NL @ North Sea Jazz
July 15 — Montreux, CH @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 20–21 — Sydney, AU @ Volume Festival
Aug 2 — Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival
Aug 8 — Oslo, NO @ Øya Festival
Aug 9 — Copenhagen, DK @ Syd For Solen
Aug 10 — Gothenburg, SE @ Way Out West
Aug 14 — Paredes De Coura, PT @ Paredes De Coura Festival
Aug 17 — London, UK @ All Points East
Aug 18 — Dorset, UK @ We Out Here
Aug 30–Sept 1 —Napa, CA @ Blue Note Jazz Festival
Sept 3–5 — Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Memorial Library

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Andre 3000’s “New Blue Sun”: OutKast Icon Shares Big Boi’s Reaction, Talks Making More Rap Music

February 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 and Big Boi paved the way for many of today’s hip-hop superstars thanks to their tireless work together in OutKast. Of course, recent years have seen the pair turn their energy toward solo projects, though they remain supportive of each other in all that they do. During a new interview with High Snobiety, 3 Stacks revealed what his partner in rhyme thought of last year’s New Blue Sun flute album, along with some other interesting music updates.

“He was smiling. He was like, ‘Man… I played it for a lot of buddies, even my son. They were like, ‘It’s the real thing. It’s not a mimic.’ You really did this,’” Andre told the outlet of Big Boi. Elsewhere, the prolific creative played his work for other pals like Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. “We’re all sitting there listening to it. I’m wondering what the young people’s opinions would be. And I’m so happy that what I’m hearing is really good feedback.”

Andre 3000 Chats with High Snobiety About His Flute Album and Future Music

ANDRÉ 3000 FOR ISSUE 34 OF HIGHSNOBIETY MAGAZINE: https://t.co/qOk8sWeADV pic.twitter.com/4LrEUv4YnD

— highsnobiety (@highsnobiety) February 27, 2024

When asked about the possibility of returning to writing rhymes, 3000 sounded hopeful. “I would love to make a rap album. I just think it’d be an awesome challenge to do a fire-a** album at 48 years old,” he noted. “That’s probably one of the hardest things to do! I would love to do that. That’s the cool thing about my whole ride; it really is a ride.”

Andre 3000 knew that not everyone who loves the rest of his discography would understand his vision for New Blue Sun. Still, the response has been positive enough for the OutKast member to take his instrumental LP out on tour over the past few weeks, and perform some of his songs on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert back in January. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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