Andre 3000, one-half of the influential hip-hop duo OutKast, unexpectedly drops a piano-focused improvisation LP.
Transformed Output:
Aye, here we go discussing the ever-evolving journey of Andre 3000, the rap legend turned musical chameleon.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MS. JACKSON")
ANDRE 3000: (Rapping) On the oak tree, I hope we feel like this forever. Forever, forever ever? Forever ever? Forever never seems that long until you're grown.
HOST: Back in the day, he was one of the most decorated rappers as part of OutKast. But like a Phoenix rising, he shook things up a couple of years back, leaving fans jaw-dropped, including NPR Music reporter Rodney Carmichael.
REPORTER: Can you freakin' believe it? The best rapper alive is playing the flute now!
(SOUNDBITE OF ANDRE 3000'S "I SWEAR, I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE A 'RAP' ALBUM BUT THIS IS LITERALLY THE WAY THE WIND BLEW ME THIS TIME")
HOST: That's right, y'all! Andre 3000 dropped a solo album of jazz flute, for Jesus's sake! No rapping to be found.
HOST: Moving on, this week, he took another bold step away from hip-hop by dropping a surprise collection of improvised piano pieces.
HOST: The album, titled "7 Piano Sketches," features short tracks, some barely two minutes long. Recorded on his iPhone, mostly over a decade ago.
REPORTER: And he's not just talking the talk; he's walking the walk, posting a few details on Instagram. He said the original title was "The Best-Worst Rap Album In History" because, well, no lyrics.
HOST: When it comes to creating these sketches, he wrote on Instagram, "I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly, but with purpose, move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting."
(SOUNDBITE OF ANDRE 3000'S "AND THEN ONE DAY YOU'LL ...")
HOST: And to top it off, on the same day he released his piano sketches, he showed up at the Met Gala wearing a piano strapped to his back - fashionable and good promotion.
REPORTER: With every OutKast album, André's personality seemed to change like the wind. So I guess it's not surprising to see another radical change. Maybe when you reach his level of creative genius, either you have to figure out how to keep surpassing expectations or totally subverting them.
(SOUNDBITE OF ANDRE 3000'S "BLUEBERRY MANSIONS")
- Andre 3000, known for his versatility, unexpectedly released a collection of improvised piano pieces titled "7 Piano Sketches," showcasing his talent beyond hip-hop.
- Despite the lack of transcripts detailing the creation process, he shared that he often composes music randomly but with purpose.
- Illustrating his commitment to diverse entertainment, Andre 3000 was seen at the Met Gala wearing a piano on his back, further promoting his recent foray into piano music.
