AndrΓ© 3000 plans to release his first full-length album since OutKastβs “Idlewild” 17 years ago and his first solo album ever, dropping this Friday (November 17).
The Atlanta rapper plans to make a triumphant return with his album, “New Blue Sun.” An entirely instrumental album, the 87-minute collection is void of lyrics and instead spotlights AndrΓ©βs woodwind work; described as βa celebratory piece of work in the form of a living, breathing, aural organism,β the ethereal flute-heavy offering is evocative of the OutKast musicianβs new era.
βIβve been interested in winds for a long time, so it was just a natural progression for me to go into flutes,β AndrΓ© explained in a statement. βI just like messing with instruments and I gravitated mostly toward wind.β
In a statement about the album, AndrΓ© assured frustrated fans wishing to hear his one-of-a-kind vocals that, sorry, there is no Prince-like vault of unheard music waiting to be released.
βThereβs this misconception that I just wonβt do it,β AndrΓ© said of releasing a Rap record. βI think people feel like Iβm sitting around on Rap albums, or sitting around and Iβm just not putting them out in that way. And no itβs not like thatβ¦ 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 thatβs appealing to me at this age.β
The album, coming on Sony Musicβs Epic Records, is co-produced by Andre 3000 and multi-instrumentalist Carlos NiΓ±o, and featuring the playing of Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, Deantoni Parks, Diego Gaeta, Matthewdavid, V.C.R, Diego Gaeta, Jesse Peterson, and Mia Doi Todd