Living hip-hop icon André “3000” Benjamin of OutKast is gearing up to release his first solo album, “New Blue Sun,” on November 17th, 2023, via Epic Records.
Teaming up with multi-talented musician Carlos Niño, the album features a lineup of talented artists and is entirely instrumental, focusing on woodwind instruments to create a lively and celebratory musical experience.
Over the last decade, André 3000 has been living a carefree, globe-trotting lifestyle. Despite his fame from being an award-winning actor and part of the acclaimed rap duo OutKast, he remains down-to-earth, sharing glimpses of his life through scattered social media clips.
“New Blue Sun” is unique in its emphasis on wind instruments, showcasing André’s love for flutes and saxophones. The album features an impressive lineup of musicians, creating a captivating instrumental experience.
Surprisingly, the album has no lyrics and the tracks have long titles, like the 12-minute opener, “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a Rap Album But This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time.”
Addressing a common misconception, André expressed his desire to release a rap album in the future, but emphasized the importance of finding meaningful ways to express himself at this stage in his life.
“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.”
The second track, “The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off the Tongue with Far Better Ease Than the Proper Word Vagina. Do You Agree?” adds a playful touch, bridging the gap between hip-hop and New Age music.
“A lot of times I think people, especially Black people in the hood, look at it like, ‘Oh, them people over there,’” André says. “It’s like a separation. And that’s why with the song titles, we kind of kept it playful a lot of times. Or we got a little raw because I wanted to still feel light at times. Or give it some type of balance, make it just attractive for people to come in.”
André challenges stereotypes about ambient music, urging listeners to appreciate its depth beyond traditional elements. Influenced by various artists, “New Blue Sun” envisions a world of exploration, with a blue sun symbolizing a different existence.
The album’s diverse tracks take listeners on a journey, offering a range of atmospheres from uplifting to reflective. André’s therapeutic approach to creating “New Blue Sun” represents a significant evolution in his creative journey, providing a soothing and captivating musical experience for all.
