outkast: Last News

André 3000 has new music in the pipeline, the singer-songwriter and rapper has revealed.The former OutKast star, real name André Benjamin, released his debut solo album ‘New Blue Sun’ in November last year – if ‘The Love Below’ from OutKast’s 2003 double LP ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ is discounted – and it surprised some fans by consisting of instrumental flute tracks rather than the funk and jazz-influenced rap of his previous output.In an interview with Amazon Music, Benjamin was asked what an “André 3000 vision board” looks like as we enter 2025.Not commenting on whether or not he’d be returning to rap, he replied: “New music for sure, new ways to distribute and express … I don’t wanna pinpoint what it is, but I just want to express more … put it like that.”Check out the interview here:Andre 3000 announces new music on the way

André 3000 is set to miss the Grammys ceremony, despite being nominated for multiple awards, including Album of the Year.‘New Blue Sun’, the OutKast rapper’s debut solo album, was released in November 2023 and has been nominated in three categories at the Grammys: Album of the Year, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Instrumental Composition for ‘I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time’.With the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles on Sunday night (February 2), André has confirmed he will not be in attendance. Writing on Instagram on Saturday, he said: “Unfortunately, I’m not able to attend the Grammys tomorrow, but some of the ‘New Blue Sun’ musicians, friends and supporters will be in attendance.”A post shared by André Lauren Benjamin (@andre3000)“Our album was conceived and recorded in Los Angeles with the spirit of openness and creative collaboration,” he added.

André 3000 has said in a new interview that OutKast are “further away” from new music “than we’ve ever been”.Speaking to Rolling Stone in a feature published on Thursday (December 12), the rapper and flautist – who showcased his skills in the latter with 2023’s ‘New Blue Sun’ – admitted that a reunion with his former collaborator Big Boi is down to a “chemistry thing” and both “have to be wanting to do it.”“I’ll say maybe 10, 15 years ago, in my mind, I thought an OutKast album would happen,” André 3000 admitted. “I don’t know the future, but I can say that we’re further away from it than we’ve ever been.”“It’s hard for me to make a rap, period, you know? And sometimes I’m in the belief of, ‘Let things be’”, he told Rolling Stone.He continued: “[OutKast] was a great time in life, and our chemistry was at a certain place that was undeniable,” he said, brushing against the notion that “something has to last forever”.“It probably should not last forever,” he added.

André 3000 has teased plans to revive his 2006 Cartoon Network series Class of 3000.In an interview with Nardwuar The Human Serviette, filmed at Camp Flog Gnaw 2024 last month and shared today (December 10), the former OutKast star – real name André Benjamin – spoke about his first phone call with Tyler, The Creator and how the ‘Chromakopia’ rapper had raved about Class of 3000.Benjamin created and wrote music for the cartoon series, which lasted for two seasons from 2006 to 2008. He also voiced one of its main characters: Sunny Bridges, a jazz musician turned tutor.“[In] my very first conversation with Tyler, he said ‘I know all the songs from Class of 3000!'” Benjamin recalls, to his delight.

André 3000 has released a new song ‘Moving Day’ and a previously unreleased ‘New Blue Sun’ track ‘Tunnels Of Egypt’.The former OutKast star, real name André Benjamin, released his debut solo album ‘New Blue Sun’ in November last year and it surprised some fans by consisting entirely of instrumental experimental flute tracks.Now, the musician has shared ‘Moving Day’, a track that featured in a short film of the same name earlier this week. The trippy Dexter Navy-directed film, released on the one-year anniversary of the album’s release, sees Benjamin playing his flute while travelling around town while his voiceover describes how the project came about.A post shared by André Lauren Benjamin (@andre3000)Check out the full 11-minute ‘Moving Day’ here:Additionally, Benjamin has released a version of the track in which it is played in reverse, titled ‘Day Moving’.He has also unveiled a track from the album’s recording sessions that had not previously been shared called ‘Tunnels Of Egypt’.

Outkast are reportedly suing an EDM duo named ATLiens in an apparent “brand protection issue” concerning their name, attorneys representing their trademark holding company state.Per AllNewHipHop, High Schoolers LLC, the trademark holding company of André 3000 and Big Boi, have filed a lawsuit against ATLiens Touring, Inc. claiming the hip-hop duo first coined the term “ATLiens” and had already got it trademarked in 1996.According to court documents via AllNewHipHop, the EDM duo registered the ATLiens name in 2020 as a service mark with the US patent office, claiming that they had been using the name since 2012.

André 3000 has got fans talking with his set at this year’s All Points East, after breaking out performances from his new era of music.The former OutKast star appeared as a solo artist at this year’s edition of the festival, performing on Saturday night (August 17) alongside an eclectic line-up including Loyle Carner – who headlined the night and curated part of the event – Nas, Enny and Nubya Garcia.While taking to the stage at 9pm for his set at Victoria Park, the artist broke out a performance that was solely centred around his latest project ‘New Blue Sun’, an experimental album that didn’t contain any rap at all.The OutKast rapper dropped the surprise project in November last year, marking his first solo album in 17 years. But upon its release, fans were surprised to discover that rather than the rap album they had been anticipating, it was an 87-minute ambient flute record.Now, after delivering a set at All Points East that focussed solely on the new era of his career, fans have taken to social media to share their mixed responses to the performance – including their surprise that the event didn’t see him play anything from his older discography.

André 3000 has shared his thoughts on the Kendrick-Drake beef, saying the whole saga left him feeling “a little sad”.The OutKast legend, who last year took an artistic left turn with his instrumental jazz flute album ‘New Blue Sun’, discussed the rap feud of the year in a recent interview with Crack.“I got a little sad, at a certain point,” he explained. “In early rap battles, you had kids in the park rapping against each other.

André 3000 has admitted that, when it comes to his new musical direction, he’s making it up as he goes along.The OutKast rapper dropped a surprise project in November last year, marking his first solo album in 17 years. But upon its release, fans were surprised to discover that rather than the rap album they had been anticipating, it was an 87-minute ambient flute record.Explaining the new creative direction of ‘New Blue Sun’, he admitted he felt he’d aged out of the genre that kick-started his career: “Sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way. I’m 48 years old.

André 3000 is fully embracing the spotlight this year.To kick off 2024, the former Outkast frontman turned experimental jazz flautist embarked on a surprise solo tour in support of his critically-acclaimed debut solo album “New Blue Sun.”Come fall, he’s doing it all over again.From September through November, the 49-year-old will take the ‘New Blue Sun Live Tour’ along with collaborators Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, and Surya Botofasina with Deantoni Parks to theaters, performing arts centers, centers and auditoriums all over North America.That includes a stop at Brooklyn’s BAM Howard Gilman Opera House on Friday, Oct. 25.For those not quite sure what to expect, the Chicago Sun-Times raved “(Andre 3000’s) performance was a free-willed exploration of sound and a beautiful energy exchange with the audience that gave the room a palpable heartbeat” about a concert at the Thalia Theater on the first leg of the tour.If this sounds like the free-flowing show for you, tickets are available for the concert of your choosing as soon as today.Fans can purchase tickets for all upcoming ‘New Blue Sun Live Tour’ shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale is Friday, June 28.Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.Before the tour officially takes off, André 3000 will lend his talents to the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival.Set to take place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI from Aug.

Outkast have paid tribute to late producer Rico Wade who died earlier this month.Earlier this month, Wade – who had been a longtime collaborator and producer for Outkast – died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 52. No cause of death has been revealed at the time of publishing.Last week (April 27), Outkast – the duo of Big Boi and André 3000 – celebrated the 30th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’. In honour of the album, which Wade had numerous writing and production credits on, the duo paid their respects to their late collaborator.According to a Stereogum report, Wade was laid to rest on April 26, which marked the 30th anniversary of ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’.

James Bond in an “elaborate prank”.In a new interview with The Guardian, the comedian said that he thinks “it would be very cool” to be named as the iconic secret agent.When asked if he would like to star in a Hollywood movie, like his colleague James Acaster in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the stand-up comic responded: “It would be very cool if I was named the next James Bond, because the collective meltdown it would inspire in a section of the British press would be so profoundly hilarious that I almost think Barbara Broccoli should do it as a prank.”Kumar added: “They’ve made enough money from the franchise, why not make the next casting of James Bond an elaborate prank?”This follows recent rumoured developments in the casting of 007, after Daniel Craig stepped down from the role in 2021 with No Time To Die.It was reported last month that Kick-Ass and Tenet star Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role by production studio EON Productions, who were awaiting his response. Taylor-Johnson has neither confirmed nor denied the rumour.Kumar took the opportunity to throw a jokey remark at Acaster in his response, adding: “I think it’s a longer journey obviously to imagine me as a spy than it is to Acaster as a Ghostbuster because, let’s face it, the guy is a fucking nerd.”Elsewhere in the interview, Kumar opened up about some of the best and worst advice he has received in his career.He explained how he was “once given some pretty horrendous advice by a comedy agent,” sharing: “They told me I should do a broad, racist Indian accent in an audition.

OutKast, has died at the age of 52.The news was confirmed by his family in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband and brother Rico Wade,” it read.“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many.

Romy and Sampha have teamed up for a collaborative cover of André 3000‘s ‘Me & My (To Bury Your Parents)’ – listen below.The pair recorded a rendition of the former OutKast member and soloist’s song for the most recent edition of Sampha’s Apple Music 1 show ‘Wave Therapy’.Sampha spoke to Romy of The xx during a studio session when the latter was recording her debut solo album ‘Mid Air’, which was released last September. The two friends opened up about grief and the loss of their parents, as well as sharing the meanings behind particular songs.Additionally, they joined forces for a cover of André 3000’s emotional 2018 ballad ‘Me & My (To Bury Your Parents)’.In a statement, Sampha said: “That song really hit me deep as I’d already made my own song ‘No One Knows Me (Like The Piano)’ which was about my mother and there was times where I questioned releasing and writing a song that was so personal to me.“And hearing one of my favourite musicians meditate on his loss of losing his parents made me feel OK to express myself in this way.”He added: “Not necessarily everybody has to do but that’s how I felt like processing some of my grief, and I feel like Romy has been in a similar place so it was a special song to cover together.”In a four-star review of Sampha’s Mercury-winning debut album, 2017’s ‘Process’, NME described ‘No One Knows Me (Like The Piano)’ as the “saddest” track on the record.

André 3000 has revealed that he auditioned for 2 Fast 2 Furious, but said he lost out on the role to Ludacris.The OutKast rapper and soloist spoke about his attempt to join the Fast & Furious franchise during a recent appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. As part of the ‘Colbert Questionert’ segment, 3000 was asked to share his favourite action movie.Colbert then pressed the musician – real name André Benjamin – on why he hadn’t been in one of the Fast & Furious films, to which he replied: “I would have but I think Ludacris took the role.”Benjamin was referring to Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges’ character Tej Parker, who was introduced to the series in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious.

André 3000 has shared what he thinks about his musical legacy, and the artists that inspired his latest release.Earlier this week, the music innovator went on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to talk about his latest album ‘New Blue Sun‘ – a record of flute instrumental music – and upcoming tour. The host asked 3000 what he meant when he called himself “a catalyst artist.”The host was referring to the rapper’s interview last year with NPR, where he said: “I’ve noticed that I’m a catalyst kind of artist… I’m being used in ways to be watched, to be inspiring to people.

André 3000 has said a collaboration with SAULT is on the cards, revealing that he has spent time in the studio with the mysterious collective.During an interview on BBC Radio 6 Music last month, the OutKast rapper and solo musician (real name André Benjamin) explained: “A musician friend turned me on to them when they were in their secrecy stage. So he connected me with them.“You know, we hung out, went to the studio, messed around a bit… yeah.

Lil Wayne has said that hearing André 3000 say he had nothing to rap about in his 40s was “so depressing”. Last month, in an interview with GQ, the former OutKast rapper explained why his new album ‘New Blue Sun’ contains no bars. “Sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way,” he said.

André 3000 has broken a new record by now scoring the longest-ever song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.Following the release of his new flute music album ‘New Blue Sun’, the record’s opening track ‘I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time’ entered the Billboard Hot 100 at 90. The track clocks in at 12 minutes and 20 seconds, making it the longest-ever song to enter the charts.The title was previously held by Tool, who released the 10 minute and 21 seconds cut ‘Fear Inoculum’ in August 2019 – that track debuted on the Hot 100 charts at number 93.

André 3000 has explained why he has stopped rapping, saying that it can now feel “inauthentic” to do so.The OutKast member – real name André Lauren Benjamin – released his debut solo album, ‘New Blue Sun’, today (November 17) after announcing the project earlier this week. Clocking in at 87 minutes, the project consists of minimalist and experimental flute music.Fans were told ahead of the record’s arrival that it would contain “no bars”, beats or vocals. The LP even opens with a track titled ‘I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time’.‘New Blue Sun’ comes 17 years after OutKast’s sixth and final studio effort, 2006’s ‘Idlewild’.

André 3000 has revealed that Prince once called him to explain what went wrong with OutKast’s 2014 reunion performance.The hip-hop duo – consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi – kicked off their reunion tour in 2014 with a headlining slot at Coachella. Their performance at the festival’s first weekend was met with lukewarm reviews. The duo returned on weekend two with a revamped setlist and performance.Speaking with GQ in a new interview, André 3000 recalled the lecture Prince gave him following the duo’s first performance back.“The very next morning I get a call from Prince,” he said.