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Andre 3000 Returns With Mind-Bending Debut Solo Album

November 14, 2023 by newhiphopnews

After a 17-year hiatus, Andre 3000 is poised for a comeback with his debut solo album, New Blue Sun. The album departs from rap, focusing on the legendary OutKast member’s flute-playing skills and boasting eight tracks.

‘New Blue Sun’

Andre 3000 is making a comeback after 17 years with a debut solo album titled New Blue Sun.

Set for release on November 17, New Blue Sun was announced on Nov. 14 on Andre’s Instagram page. The album, however, will not be a rap album, but the artist/songwriter will play the flute and have eight tracks on it.

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New Blue Sun will be co-produced by Andre 3000 and features the playing instrumentalists Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, Deantoni Parks, Diego Gaeta, Matthewdavid, V.C.R., Diego Gaeta, Jesse Peterson, and Mia Doi Todd.

Andre 3000 Gets Candid About The Upcoming Album

In a recent interview with NPR’s All Songs Considered podcast, Andre 3000 shared his inspiration and fascination with wind instruments:

“I’ve been interested in winds for a long time, so it was just a natural progression for me to go into flutes,” André says. “I just like messing with instruments and I gravitated mostly toward wind.”

Exploring this passion, he embraces the flute on New Blue Sun, utilizing various wind instruments such as a digital wind instrument, a Maya flute, and others made of wood and bamboo.

While New Blue Sun deviates from rap, Andre 3000 reassures fans that he hasn’t abandoned the genre. He expressed his desire to eventually release a rap album but emphasized the importance of finding an interesting and appealing way to articulate his thoughts at this career stage:

“There’s this misconception that I just won’t do it,” André says of releasing a rap record. “I think people feel like I’m sitting around on rap albums, or sitting around and I’m just not putting them out in that way. And no it’s not like that.” He continues: “In my mind, I really would like to make a rap album. So maybe that happens one day, but I got to find a way to say what I want to say in an interesting way that’s appealing to me at this age.

Andre Plays ‘New Blue Sun’ For Frank Ocean & Tyler, The Creator

Andre 3000 also shared that he recently played the album for Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean at Tyler’s house and wanted to see how a younger audience feels about an older rapper making a non-rap album.

“I wanted to see how a younger audience would perceive it… I reached out to Tyler [the Creator] for him to check it out and I went to his house. “Frank [Ocean] just happened to drop by [too]…,” Andre 3000 said.

Andre 3000 also mentioned that Tyler was inspired by it and Frank liked several of the songs. Users on Twitter (X) reacted to the news of Andre 3000’s new album.

One user named @goodlife_al commented “This sh*it about to be weird as hell but I’ma still listen,” and one other user named @encrypted_bml commented “ I have a feeling this is about to be Fire. Andree don’t put out crap music.”

Other users felt differently as @ewalknotewok commented, “People have been waiting for almost 2 decades for a new 3 stacks album and ole boy is putting out a flute record, no verses. Elite level trolling.”

Andre Back On The Map

Andre 3000 has not released music since he and his OutKast partner, Big Boi released their album, Idlewild, in 2006. The Atlanta artist will look to have his seventh overall album go platinum, with the other six being all with OutKast.

In addition, Andre’s announcement of a new album was hinted at by Atlanta rapper and friend of Andre, Killer Mike. In June 2023, Killer Mike said Andre 3000 had an album in the works but later revealed that he was joking about him having a new album.

‘Blockbusta’

Another rap legend is preparing to make a splash in the realm of upcoming album releases. Busta Rhymes recently announced that his album, Blockbusta, will be released on November 24. Production on the album will come from Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Goodie Mob Released Their Debut LP ‘Soul Food’ 28 Years Ago

November 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history one of Atlanta’s oldest collectives, Goodie Mob, stepped on the scene with their hit debut Soul Food. As the second release by Georgia’s own Dungeon Family collective, Soul Food confirmed that the south truly had something to say.

In the early 90’s, southern Hip Hop’s appeal was purely commercial. Club anthems and summertime jams monopolized the southern air waves, not allowing any room for the conscious to make much headway between the NoLa bounce, Miami bass, and Houston’s Chopped and Screwed sub-genres. What made Goodie Mob stand out was their ability to build on the style created by close co-conspirators, OutKast. That innovation coupled with the collaboration with LaFace‘s own production powerhouse Organized Noize, Goodie Mob was able to create one of Atlanta’s first hit albums.

Soul Food was the world’s introduction to the ‘dirty south’, with the household term being first coined on this album. Musically, Goodie Mob was a synthesis of southern gospel, jazz, blues, with a touch of Atlanta’s signature marching band sound. As lyricists, the crew had a righteous gangster appeal with very by-any-means-necessary undertones. Their poetic and harmonic style allowed them to play as a voice of the south sonically and through their subject matter.

Commercially, the album was a success from the otherwise unknown group. Within the first few months of its release, the album had both been certified as gold by the RIAC and sold over 500,000 copies in the United States. The album’s singles, “Cell Therapy”, “Soul Food”, and “Dirty South” all became southern classic making The Top 10 Rap Singles chart. The album itself peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200 chart and #8 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Goodie Mob Released Their Debut LP ‘Soul Food’ 28 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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OutKast Manager Blue Weighs In On ‘SpeakerBoxxx/The Love Below’ As Best-Selling RIAA Album in the U.S.

November 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below recently attained RIAA certification for selling 13 million certified units, sparking a debate among fans about its global sales status. In an exclusive interview with SOHH, the hip-hop duo’s manager, Michael “Blue” Williams, shares his perspective on the distinction. Celebrating 20 Years OutKast’s iconic double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, recently received […]

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Outkast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”: 2 Decades Of Mastery

October 9, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Hip Hop thrived as the millennium turned. Atlanta’s beloved sons, Outkast, stood a class apart within this cultural kettle. Their tracks weren’t just auditory treats but cerebral journeys, weaving Funk, Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Rap into a sound previously uncharted. Each album, a genre-defying opus, teased the listener’s intellect while tantalizing their soul.

By the time 2003 rolled around, Big Boi and André 3000 were cemented legends. Fans were ready for another sonic masterpiece, and the air was thick with anticipation. Then, through the vast spectrum of artists pushing their CDs, Outkast prepared to drop a double-disc album that shook Hip Hop’s foundations: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The September 23 arrival was more than a musical compilation of longtime friends, groupmates, and collaborators. It was a fitting addition to their discography’s evolution. Three Stacks and Big Boi, while intrinsically tied to the core of Outkast, highlighted their individual talents, paying homage to the multifaceted ancestral musical legacy that often motivated their dreams. We’re revisiting the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below during its monumental anniversary—especially as the project has been RIAA, Diamond-certified 13x Platinum.

The Balance

Big Boi’s Speakerboxxx pulses with unmistakable Southern Rap energy on one side of this double disc. Funk’s rhythmic essence enriches it, with songs such as “The Way You Move” and “Bowtie” ensnaring the listener to groove. Every track feels like an exploration with Big at the helm, narrating stories and evoking emotions. Yet, venturing into Andre 3000’s domain, The Love Below offers a different allure. While “Hey Ya!” might have the globe in a dance frenzy, introspective numbers like “Prototype” showcase a deeper, Jazz-tinged resonance.

Additionally, the double album’s production team—including Stacks, Big, Carl Mo, Cutmaster Swiff, Mr. J, and Dojo5—brought their A-game, ensuring the right notes were hit. Moreover, while the brilliance of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below undeniably stems from the genius of Big Boi and Andre 3000, it’s equally a culmination of collective artistry. The diverse sounds and the complementary verses weren’t just a duo’s vision but an amalgamation of remarkable talents.

Collaborative Genius: The Artisans Behind The Sound

The allure of Speakerboxxx and The Love Below isn’t confined to the duality of Outkast—their chosen collaborators magnify it. From Ludacris to Kelis, these collaborations were no mere additions. They were carefully selected components that gave depth and perspective to each track.

Take, for example, Speakerboxx adding Sleepy Brown and Jazze Pha to the aforementioned “Bowtie,” the hypnotic horn-infused body-mover. Just a few songs later, Killer Mike and Jay-Z join Speakerboxx‘s “Flip Flop Rock,” a fast-moving track that pushes the listener from one verse to the next. On The Love Below, Kelis infuses R&B into the experimental “Dracula’s Wedding,” while Rosario Dawson helps make “She Lives in My Lap” a sonic film.

The Definition Of A Classic

In an industry where collaborations often gravitate towards big names for commercial appeal, Outkast’s approach was refreshingly different. Their choice of collaborators was rooted in artistic compatibility rather than mere star power. It was about finding voices and talents that resonated with the core essence of their project, ensuring Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was a cohesive masterpiece rather than a disjointed collection. Every guest artist and instrumentalist was a piece of the puzzle, vital in crafting an album that stands, even today, as an epitome of excellence in Hip Hop.

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Outkast Release Animated “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” Video

October 9, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Celebrating two major milestones.

Is OutKast’s ‘SpeakerBoxxx/The Love Below’ The Best-Selling Rap Album Of All Time? Facts or Cap?

October 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Does OutKast, the iconic hip-hop duo, own the best-selling rap album of all time? Big Boi recently showed off his RIAA plaque announcing their innovative Speakerboxx/The Love Below album had sold 13 million certified units. Fans celebrated with congratulations and declared the group owned “the best-selling rap album of all time.” Is this fact or […]

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OutKast Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of “Aquemini” With Visuals For “SpottieOttieDopaliscious: Watch

October 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

OutKast’s incredible reputation proceeds them at this point. Their massively successful catalog is undoubtedly one of the very best in hip-hop history. Of course, that goes to Big Boi and Andre 3000’s songwriting skills. They were able to create lush and colorful soundscapes in so many different ways, that there are not many who can replicate their artistry. Even with all of the vast talent in the Atlanta rap scene, you would be hard-pressed to find someone better than these two. The duo has been celebrating a lot this year. Namely, the anniversaries of their classic albums.

Two of their most well-known albums, ATLiens, and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, both hit incredible milestones. The first of the two just turned 27 a few days ago and the latter is 20 years old. Now, they paying homage to another one of their records, Aquemini. Their third project, released back in 1998 hit the 25th anniversary mark not too long ago. How did OutKast decide to celebrate this momentous occasion? They just put out some stunning, colorful, and trippy visuals for one of the tracks.

OutKast Puts Out Music Video For “SpottieOttieDopaliscious”

The one they chose to show love to is “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.” One of the longer tracks off of the project, it is a rich-sounding vibe filled with horns and a whole lot of soul. Unfortunately, there is no reunion of sorts in these visuals, just some eclectic color schemes and mind-bending sequences. Without being greedy, they do fit the song perfectly, showing that OutKast still has the creative juice. The video above was posted originally by HipHopDX.

What are your initial thoughts on these visuals from OutKast for “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” from Aquemini? Were you disappointed that they did not film a music video together for it? Is this your favorite song off of the album? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the hottest music videos, as well as all of the latest breaking news around the music world.

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[WATCH] Outkast Reveals Behind-The-Scenes Of “Rosa Parks” Video On 25th Anniversary Of ‘Aquemini’ LP

September 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Today, fans can get an exclusive glimpse behind-the-scenes of the official music video for “Rosa Parks,” the Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed track from Outkast’s third album, Aquemini, in the latest episode of Vevo Footnotes. The episode is part of Vevo’s original content and specialized programming to celebrate the historic 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop.

In the episode, Big Boi describes the music on Aquemini as a blend of Outkast’s “complex music” on their debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” with the “ferocious lyrics” found on their sophomore album ATLiens. The episode highlights that the parade scene in the music video was filmed in front of the iconic Atlanta nightclub, The Royal Peacock. And points out that the marching band in the video is from the historic Morris Brown College, and that the college’s gospel choir is featured on their track “Bombs Over Baghdad.” Additionally, the episode mentions that the standout harmonica solo is performed by Andre 3000’s stepfather, Reverend Robert Hodo.

The post [WATCH] Outkast Reveals Behind-The-Scenes Of “Rosa Parks” Video On 25th Anniversary Of ‘Aquemini’ LP first appeared on The Source.

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Outkast’s “ATLiens” Turns 27

September 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

OutKast, the iconic duo consisting of rappers André 3000 and Big Boi, has left a profound and enduring legacy in the musical and cultural landscape. While together, the duo released six albums, and their sophomore studio album, ATLiens, turned 27 in August this year. Besides their success, OutKast has been widely celebrated for their groundbreaking approach to music. They famously blended various genres, including Hip Hop, funk, soul, jazz, and R&B. Moreover, they created a distinctive and ever-evolving sound that defied easy categorization. Overall, ATLiens is a remarkable album that effectively showcases the duo’s peculiar genre-blurring style. 27 years after its release, its cultural impact and relevance in Hip Hop is still strongly felt. Furthermore, it is regarded by many as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time.

A Daring Venture

Outkast ATLiens — Rappers André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton) of Outkast poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago, Illinois in October 1998. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

ATLiens was released on August 27, 1996, following the duo’s 1994 debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The album marked a notable evolution in OutKast’s sound and style. It was particularly a more experimental and daring album than their debut. Also, it explored a broader sonic soundscape as well. At the time of the album’s release, the rappers were both 21-year-olds, but they had begun writing and recording songs for it since they were 18. Soon after releasing their debut album, OutKast worked on ATLiens between late 1994 and early 1996.

Read More: The 10 Best Outkast Songs

The Evolution Of OutKast On ATLiens

The beats on ATLiens were handled by Organized Noize, a production team known for their work with the Dungeon Family. Their sound incorporated a blend of funk, dub, gospel, soul, and electronic elements, expertly creating otherworldly and futuristic production. This helped to reflect the duo’s desire to explore uncharted territory in Hip Hop. Furthermore, their musical evolution succeeded in challenging conventional norms.

The genre-blurring production provided by the duo, with help from Organized Noize, effectively depicts the artists’ vision. In addition to this, the lyrics on the album delve into a wide range of topics including social issues, personal introspection, and sci-fi references. ATLiens also reflected the duo’s artistic growth, as well as their open-mindedness and experimental nature.

Collaborations And Standout Singles

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the four songs released as singles from the 15-track album are some of its strongest offerings. “Elevators (Me & You),” “ATLiens,” “Wheelz of Steel,” and “Jazzy Belle” were some of the hit songs on the album, and received significant airplay, all while contributing to the commercial success of the album. There are a limited number of collaborations on ATLiens, and guest verses only appear on four of the 15 songs on the album. The featured artists are: Witchdoctor on “Ova Da Wudz” and “E.T. (Extraterrestrial),” T-Mo and Khujo on “Mainstream,” and Big Gipp and Cool Breeze on “Decatur Psalm.”

Success And Cultural Impact

ATLiens unsurprisingly received critical acclaim upon its release. Critics had particular praise for its innovative production, lyrical complexity, and unorthodox themes. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and has since sold over two million units in the United States, earning it a 2x Platinum certification by the RIAA. With the album, OutKast became a formidable force in Hip Hop’s history. As a matter of fact, Billboard ranked the duo atop their list of the greatest rap groups of all time.

ATLiens remains a seminal work in OutKast’s discography. Moreover, it is often cited as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time. The highly influential album solidified the duo as icons of Southern Hip Hop. Its widespread success and critical acclaim was the beginning of a magnificent run for OutKast in mainstream media. ATLiens maybe 27 years old, but it is renowned and respected for pushing creative boundaries. It is an inimitable album in Hip Hop that deserves every bit of honor it receives, and then some.

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