lil yachty andre 3000

• Newsletters
• Help Center
• Watch 'The South Got Something to Say' documentary
• Timeline: A brief history of Atlanta hip-hop
• 50 for 50: Atlanta hip-hop hitmakers
• 50 for 50: Songs that define Atlanta hip-hop
• Oral history: 'The South got something to say'
• Read more: 50 years of hip-hop in Atlanta

The oral history of ‘the South got something to say’

How andré 3000 and the 1995 source awards planted a flag and changed rap music.

On the evening of Aug. 3, \, André 3000 and Big Boi, the baby-faced members of a scrappy rap group out of Atlanta called OutKast, walked into an already simmering conflict.

It was the 1995 Source Awards, a defining moment in hip-hop culture’s history, on its most defining night.

On one side was the West Coast faction, led by Suge Knight, Snoop Dogg and the Death Row Records posse. They had forged their way into New York City’s Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden to violently wrestle away the East Coast’s rap crown, which at that time firmly rested on the heads of The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

André and Big Boi sat in the audience, waiting for the announcement of the new artist of the year (group)” award, for which they had been nominated for their debut album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.”

Jermaine Dupri was there. So were members of the Dungeon Family, the Atlanta-based hip-hop collective that also included the Goodie Mob.

But they were almost invisible to a crowd whose interests at that time were mostly bi-coastal.

Who cared about a bunch of rappers from Atlanta?

They watched quietly as the conflict between East and West Coast factions of hip-hop music came to a head.

When Salt-N-Pepa, the seminal female rappers, announced over boos that OutKast had won best new group, Big Boi and André 3000 sensed an opportunity.

Big Boi spoke first. Then he handed the microphone to André 3000, who with a very simple phrase, declared to a somewhat hostile audience: “The South got something to say.”

Atlanta rapper T.I., who watched from home, called this event a “battle cry.” Lil Yachty, who wasn’t even born yet, called it rap’s “I Have a Dream.”

“You can’t talk about Southern hip-hop without talking about that night,” said music industry veteran Shanti Das, who was in the audience that night. “It was one of the biggest moments in hip-hop history. ”

It was indeed the start of something good. This is an oral history of the origin, and evolution, of Atlanta’s influence on rap music and its culture.

Speech: Founder of rap group Arrested Development; Pete Nice : Co-curator for the Hip Hop Museum ; Keisha Lance Bottoms : Former Atlanta mayor; Mayor André Dickens: Atlanta mayor; Ryan Cameron: Nationally syndicated radio personality; Shannon McCollum : Photographer; Jermaine Dupri : Founder of So So Def Recordings; Benzino: Former owner of The Source Magazine; Mojo: Atlanta’s first known rapper; Joycelyn Wilson: Assistant professor of hip-hop studies and digital humanities at Georgia Tech; Keinon Johnson: Senior Vice President at Interscope Records; T.I.: Atlanta rapper; Rico Wade: Organized Noize producer; Shanti Das: Marketing executive; Killer Mike : Atlanta rapper, activist; Sydney Margetson: Music executive; Kawan “KP The Great” Prather: Music executive, producer and deejay; Sonia Murray: Pioneering hip-hop journalist; CeeLo Green: Member of Goodie Mob; Big Gipp: Member of Goodie Mob; T-Mo: Member of Goodie Mob; Jason Orr: Arts curator; Ray Murray: Organized Noize producer; Maurice Hobson : Author, “The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta”; Princess: Atlanta rapper; Lil Yachty: Atlanta rapper; Jordan Victoria: Founder, Silk Tymes Leather; Jeezy: Atlanta rapper; Tory Edwards: Owner, Atlanta Influences Everything; Fahamu Pecou: Atlanta visual artist; Sen. Raphael Warnock: Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church; Amir “A.R.” Shaw: Author, “Trap History: Atlanta Culture and the Global Impact of Trap Music”; Rocky Bucano : Director, Hip Hop Museum ; Kasim Reed: Former Atlanta mayor; Khujo: Member of Goodie Mob

André 3000 of OutKast; Big Boi of OutKast ; Salt-N-Pepa; Suge Knight: President of Death Row Records; Snoop Dogg: Iconic rapper

— AJC Intern Shahid Meighan contributed to the writing and researching for this oral history.

— Editor’s Note: Parts of the following quotes have been edited for length and clarity.

Track I - Where is Atlanta?

Prior to 1995, Atlanta and the South were afterthoughts in the rap world. New York, which had birthed the genre in 1973, and Los Angeles, which had pioneered gangsta rap, were vying for dominance and had introduced the world to artists who went on to become household names in the culture.

But a hunger was brewing in the South.

Rap artists with a distinctively Southern sound were tired of being left out of the hip-hop conversation. They were ready to make it known, not just in the United States, but across the world, that recognition was long overdue, and they were taking theirs.

In 1995, OutKast dropped their first album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.” With its live instrumentation, and heavy funk and soul influences, it instantly became a classic with tracks like “Player’s Ball” and “Git Up, Git Out.” Critics adored it, including Benzino’s powerful magazine, The Source. But instead of awarding it a perfect five “mics” in its revered rating system, The Source couldn’t stomach giving such praise to a non-New York group. So they settled on 4.5 “mics.”

Track II: August 3, 1995 - The Source Awards

Despite the lack of respect and getting only 4.5 mics, OutKast was invited to the 1995 Source Awards as a nominee for the new artist of the year (group) award, against Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ill Al Skratch and Smif-N-Wessun. Brooklyn emcee The Notorious B.I.G. would win “new artist of the year (solo)” and his “Ready to Die” beat OutKast’s “ Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik ,” for rap album of the year.

Seating Charts

In 1995, The Source Awards was still only two years old, but was already the most important rap event of the awards season. The Atlanta delegation, primarily the Dungeon Family, made their way to Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

“It could’ve went down”

Throughout the night, the two coasts battled. Snoop sneered, cursed and riled the already agitated New York crowd to near delirium when he defiantly asked them over the boos: “Y’all don’t love us?”

Suge Knight, dressed in a red shirt (likely signaling his known gang affiliations), took a direct verbal shot at Combs, telling “any artist” to “come to Death Row,” if they didn’t want to worry about their executive producer “trying to be all in the videos, all on the record, dancin’.”

After it was announced that Biggie won best new solo artist, Salt-N-Pepa and Kid ‘n Play walked onstage to present new artist of the year (group). Christopher “Kid” Reid opened the envelope and asked Salt-N-Pepa to “help me out.” They seemed bothered by the request, barely looked at the card and drolled, “OutKast.”

Why y’all booing?

André led what was essentially the Dungeon Family — OutKast, Goodie Mob and Organized Noize —onto the stage. As the boos grew louder, André clapped. It was a hard clap. A clap of defiance. He walked past the microphone, still clapping. His trademark smile was long gone. Replaced by something bordering on rage and fear. Big Gipp smiled, showing the audience a mouth full of grills.

When the full crew finally gets on stage, Big Boi, wearing a road gray Atlanta Braves jersey, speaks first.

Track III: What is the South Saying Now?

On Nov. 7, 1995, three months after the 1995 Source Awards, Goodie Mob, whose members had stood onstage that night behind OutKast, released their debut album, “Soul Food,” featuring one of the songs that helped define Atlanta’s sound, “Cell Therapy.” In August 1996, a year after André 3000′s announcement, OutKast released their second album, “ATLiens.” The Source gave it five mics.

A month later West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur, who wasn’t at the 1995 Source Awards, but who would emerge as a central figure in the East-Coast-West-Coast conflict, was gunned down in Las Vegas. In March 1997, a hail of bullets brought down Biggie in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, OutKast marched on in quick succession with “Aquemini,” “Stankonia,” and the massive double album, “ Speakerboxxx/The Love Below ,” which earned the group a Grammy for album of the year . To date “ Speakerboxxx/The Love Below ,” has sold more than 13 million copies, making it the biggest-selling hip-hop album of all time. They would also go on to win six Grammys.

In the months and years following 1995, Southern rap artists would go on to become global icons. T.I. rose out of the trap houses of Bankhead to pioneer trap music, bringing Jeezy and Gucci Mane with him.

Ludacris became a bonafide movie star, and Lil Nas X boldly explored country music and his sexuality.

The Ying Yang Twins, Pastor Troy, Lil Jon, Crime Mob, Rasheeda and Three 6 Mafia went on to popularize crunk music in the South. Killer Mike, Future, Migos, 21 Savage, Latto, Baby Tate, Lil Yachty and Lil Baby — all hailing from Atlanta — run hip-hop today.

These household names and new faces in the culture served as the fulfillment of André 3000′s prophecy:

“The South got something to say.”

The Aftermath

Race & politics.

But not everyone is happy with the direction that Atlanta is going. Trap music, which was popularized by T.I. as a reflection of life in and outside of drug houses — as an act of hustling and grinding for financial gain — is the dominant form of music coming out of the city now.

The Future/OutKast

• Songs Featuring Andre 3000
• Songs Featuring Becky G
• Songs Featuring Kendrick Lamar
• Songs Featuring Alicia Keys
• Songs Featuring Ariana Grande
• Songs Featuring A$AP Rocky
• Songs Featuring Jay Z
• Songs Featuring Akon
• Songs Featuring Eminem
• Songs Featuring Drake
• Songs Featuring B.o.B.
• Songs Featuring Kanye West
• Songs Featuring Rick Ross
• Songs Featuring 50 Cent
• Songs Featuring Gucci Mane
• Songs Featuring 21 Savage
• Songs Featuring Big Sean
• Songs Featuring Adam Levine
• Songs Featuring Beyonce
• Songs Featuring Busta Rhymes
• Songs Featuring Ludacris
• Songs Featuring DMX
• Songs Featuring Aaliyah
• Songs Featuring Cardi B.
• Songs Featuring Chance the Rapper
• Songs Featuring Bruno Mars
• Songs Featuring Nas
• Songs Featuring Future
• Songs Featuring Christina Aguilera
• Songs Featuring Dr. Dre
• Songs Featuring Childish Gambino
• Songs Featuring SZA
• Songs Featuring Lil Yachty
• Songs Featuring Britney Spears
• Songs Featuring Tyler the Creator
• Songs Featuring T.I.
• Songs Featuring Snoop Dogg
• Songs Featuring Gwen Stefani
• Songs Featuring Tupac Shakur
• Songs Featuring Earl Sweatshirt
• Songs Featuring Charli XCX
• Songs Featuring Lupe Fiasco
• Songs Featuring Post Malone
• Songs Featuring Juicy J
• Songs Featuring Khalid
• Songs Featuring Lil Kim
• Songs Featuring Carrie Underwood
• Songs Featuring The Game
• Songs Featuring Ne-Yo
• Songs Featuring Chris Brown
• Songs Featuring LL Cool J
• Songs Featuring The Weeknd
• Songs Featuring Ed Sheeran
• Songs Featuring Rita Ora
• Songs Featuring Vic Mensa
• Songs Featuring Mac Miller
• Songs Featuring Kirko Bangz
• Songs Featuring Hailee Steinfeld
• Songs Featuring Tinashe
• Songs Featuring Justin BIeber
• Songs Featuring XXXTenatacion
• Songs Featuring Sam Smith
• Songs Featuring Demi Lovato
• Songs Featuring Jamie Foxx
• Songs Featuring Wale
• Songs Featuring Justin Timberlake
• Songs Featuring 2 Chainz
• Songs Featuring Tove Lo
• Songs Featuring J Balvin
• Songs Featuring YG
• Songs Featuring Elle King
• Songs Featuring Rihanna
• Songs Featuring Machine Gun Kelly
• Songs Featuring Young Jeezy
• Songs Featuring Jermaine Dupri
• Songs Featuring Remy Ma
• Songs Featuring John Legend
• Songs Featuring ASAP Ferg
• Songs Featuring ScHoolboy Q
• Songs Featuring Ciara
• Songs Featuring T-Pain
• Songs Featuring Swae Lee
• Songs Featuring Lloyd Banks
• Songs Featuring Danny Brown
• Songs Featuring Paul Wall
• Songs Featuring Robin Thicke
• Songs Featuring Lil Uzi Vert
• Songs Featuring Twista
• Songs Featuring Ja Rule
• Songs Featuring Shakira
• Songs Featuring Meek Mill
• Songs Featuring Jadakiss
• Songs Featuring Method Man
• Songs Featuring Jennifer Lopez
• Songs Featuring Skrillex
• Songs Featuring Ashanti
• Songs Featuring Flo Rida
• Songs Featuring Prince Royce
• Songs Featuring Skepta
• Songs Featuring Logic

The Best Songs Feat. Andre 3000

These are the best songs featuring Andre 3000. As a solo artist, Andre 3000 has won awards (Grammy Award for Best Rap Album ), released top ten singles, and sold multi platinum albums as OutKast ( ATLiens , Idlewild ), so it’s not surprising to see Andre 3000 features top music charts. What are the best Andre 3000 collabs?

Including songs like “Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)” and “Green Light,” this list of songs featuring Andre 3000 as guest artist consists of radio hits, number ones, and less popular tracks. Fans can decide how to rank Andre 3000’s collaborations with John Legend, Beyonce, Lloyd, and more. 

Vote up your favorite songs that feature Andre 3000, and let’s see what the best Andre 3000 collaborations are. 

Solo (Reprise)

Millionaire

Green Light

Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)

Super Rich Kids

Royal Flush

Play the Guitar

Lists that rank the best collaboration "Songs Featuring" in hip hop, R&B, pop, and across genres.

Have You Received Your Flute Shot From André 3000?

The best new music to hit my inbox this week*.

André 3000, “That Night in Hawaii When I Turned Into a Panther and Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn't Control... That Sh¥t Was Wild” (Epic)

Now that the novel sensation and social-media hubbub of an über-popular rapper releasing a flute-centric New Age/ambient-jazz album have subsided, it's time for a sober assessment of André 3000's New Blue Sun , the OutKast MC's first new music since 2017's “All Together Now”—a baffling cover of one of the Beatles' corniest songs. 

But first let's note that in terms of deviations from stylistic norms by popular artists, it's hard to think of a more radical one in recent times than André 3000's (Diplo going "country" doesn't count, as he's always had a chameleonic creative approach). And in the heavily purist world of hip-hop, indulging in such drastic tangents as New Blue Sun is rare. The last one that comes to mind is Lil Yachty's lukewarm "psych-rock" diversion from earlier this year, Let's Start Here . (As someone who's been listening to that genre for over five decades, I have to say that Yachty's album is about as psychedelic as a glass of water.)

As an experiment and artistic left turn, New Blue Sun is much more successful than Let's Start Here . You could say that with regard to the potential damage to his musical career, New Blue Sun is a riskier undertaking than even Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants , which still featured the Motown superstar's vocals, albeit in more unconventional settings. But what unites André and Stevie is that both musicians had more than earned the right to zoom out of their respective comfort zones and go where their whims dictated.

With no rapping or singing from Dré, even the staunchest OutKast fans might balk at the 87 minutes of meditative improvisations Mr. Benjamin lavishes over eight languorous tracks—which are the polar opposite of "B.O.B." Instead, he plays an assortment of flutes—contrabass, Mayan, bamboo—as well as some digital wind instruments. Collaborators include some of America's headiest musicians: percussionist Carlos Niño , keyboardist/Alice Coltrane disciple Surya Botofasina , "mycelium electronics" expert Matthewdavid , and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Nate Mercereau, among others. There are no leaders here, per se, just a squad dedicated to generating exquisite tones and alleviating the chronic stresses of 21st-century life.

In an interview with NPR , André admitted that he doesn't know notes, chords, or keys; he's going on sheer instinct here. But, uncommon for a rapper of his renown, Dré checked his ego at the studio door and also displayed the good sense to surround himself with players who do know that stuff. Together, they often steer New Blue Sun into sublimely contemplative territory. Even though André's frequently been spotted in public playing flute during his LA peregrinations, it's safe to say that most people didn't expect him to issue a record dominated by that instrument.  

Kicking off with the 12-minute "I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A 'Rap' Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time," the album immediately submerges you into calm waters. (The wordy titles seem like overcompensating for the lack of bars.) You can feel your pulse rate slowing within seconds of its murky and desolate ambience seeping into your headphones—which is the best way to hear this music. Dré's flute is a wispy, tranquil presence in the background, gently ululating behind ASMR keyboard smears, belltree shaking, and cymbal taps and splashes. That "I Swear..." has racked up nearly 4.3 million streams on $p0t1fy in under two weeks proves how curious folks are to hear this surprising development. 

"BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears a 3000™ Button Down Embroidered" is pure weird-dream-state haze, akin to Fourth World music innovator Jon Hassell at his most serene and sparse. "Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé," by far the shortest track here at 3:49, doesn't sound at all like Souls of Mischief, but instead lows, caws, drones, and drips like a rain-forest mini symphony. It's apropos that the music on "Ghandi [ sic ], Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy" is as eventful as its title and the most agitated piece on New Blue Sun . It contains passages that will jar you out of your reverie, though it's still fairly chill. 

My pick to click is “That Night in Hawaii When I Turned Into a Panther and Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn't Control... That Sh¥t Was Wild,” as it evokes the noctilucent jazz of Hassell's late-career masterpiece, Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street . Inspired by an ayahuasca trip in that state, this track possesses André's most impressive flute extemporizing, fluttering in imaginative and unexpected patterns over bass (or frame-drum) throbs and clacking percussion from Deantoni Parks . The sense of purpose and rhythmic propulsion also distinguish this track from its counterparts, which are predominantly static. "That Night..." could serve as an alternate soundtrack for those suspenseful boat rides to the heart of darkness in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now . 

If after digesting New Blue Sun you want to dig deeper into the world of exploratory flute, seek out recordings by Eric Dolphy, Jeremy Steig, Yusef Lateef, Bobbi Humphrey, Björn J:Son Lindh, Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann (especially Stone Flute ), and Joël Vandroogebroeck and Carole Muriel's recently reissued 1978 album, Images of Flute in Nature . 

Ultimately, New Blue Sun will likely resonate more with ambient/cosmic-jazz aficionados than with even the most adventurous hip-hop heads. Consequently, André may lose more listeners than he gains with this gambit, but what's the point of being a multimillionaire artist if you don't give free rein to your most outré impulses? 

Let's leave the final words to André Benjamin, who's set a sterling example for other wildly popular artists to follow: " New Blue Sun is the continuation of discovery for me. My entire career has been fueled by this and it is the only thing that keeps me honest. This album is the most honest and interesting offering I can give today. I never could have imagined in high school, when I started rapping and doing music that I would be here right now playing wind instruments. Ha. This life ride always surprises me. I’m here for it."

* New Blue Sun didn't hit my inbox this or any other week, as it was a stealth release. But it has been haunting streaming services since November 17 and I've been absorbing it ever since, because it marks a rare incursion into the mainstream by cerebral chillout music. This column will return to its regular protocol next week.

More In Music

Glass Beams' Mystical Funk and Bobbyy's Seductive Fusion

The Best of Belltown Bloom 2024

The 10 Best Albums of 2023, According to One Critic

Thunderpussy Brought Abundance and Anarchy to Benaroya Hall

SAICOBAB's Chaotic Whirled Music and Mushroom's Stoned Boogie

Footwork Queen Jlin's Wild Philip Glass Collab and Harpist Andy Aquarius's Pristine Ambience

Editors' picks.

Washington’s Supreme Court Lacks a Strong Progressive Voice

My Whole Life I've Been Asked If I'm a Girl or a Boy

Big Dumper and the Electric Factory: A Mariners Glossary

Tish Gallow Keeps Black Music Alive in Columbia City

The Lying Disease

After Waiting Years for Cities to Act, People Are Painting Their Own Crosswalks

Popular articles, music for movies of the mind, remember when seattle was a real life footloose , "there's no space for something boring", slift's brutal space rock and hound dog taylor's hand's jazz-rock cauldron, loraine james's mysterious beat labyrinths and hiroshi yoshimura’s classic '80s ambient reissue, julia holter's ravishing, experimental pop and the l.b.'s seductive, seattle-bred funk, two seattle music shops in crisis mode, just can't get enough, sign up for our newsletter for news recaps, updates, and more.

• Week at a Glance (Monday)
• Stranger Suggests (Wednesday)
• Event News (Thursday)
• Weekend Guide (Friday)
• Food News (Saturday)
• Promotions & Giveaways
• Slog AM (Weekdays)
• A+P (Tuesdays)
• Sundays With A Stranger (Sundays)

Support The Stranger

Released 20 years ago, OutKast’s ‘ATLiens’ stands the test of time

• John Powers
• August 28, 2016

Recommended Articles

Maggie Rogers returns to home state for an unforgettable performance

• Adam Hudacek
• June 17, 2024

She couldn’t find makeup for her skin tone. So she made her own brand.

• Tolu Talabi
• May 13, 2024

UMD student directors awarded at Maryland Filmmakers’ spring festival

• Emely Miranda
• May 10, 2024

James Blake and Lil Yachty Make an Odd but Unexpectedly Strong Couple on ‘Bad Cameo': Album Review

As this album's cover artwork suggests - it appears to show a restaurant table with one man drinking tea and eating baked beans, and the other drinking syrup - a full-length collaboration album between British avant singer-songwriter James Blake and psychedelicized Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty might not have been on anyone's prediction list for 2024. But even knowing both artists' predilection for the unexpected, it's a surprisingly symbiotic alliance.

For years - and to his ongoing astonishment - Blake has been a featured guest of choice for some of the world's top rappers and R&B singers: His sprawling discography includes collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Andre 3000, Travis Scott, Vince Staples and multiple others. Meanwhile, Yachty was pushing the boundaries of trap even from his early days in the mid-2010s - and burst out completely with the full-on psychedelic rock of last year's "Let's Start Here" album , which basically did what its title stated: Since that album dropped, he's made stylistically far-ranging songs with everyone from rappers J Cole and Flo Milli to electronic-pop savant Fred Again.

Which is a long-winded way of saying these two envelope-pushing artists are much more musically sympatico than it might seem at first, and their personalities offset - and lively up - each other well on "Bad Cameo," their first joint album. Their singing voices, while quite different stylistically, are in a similar high register, so Yachty's often-autotuned verses fit comfortably alongside Blake's lush synthesized textures and ping-ponging beats. Here, Yachty sings more often than he raps and Blake generally leaves him to it, chiming in with otherworldly harmonies or melodic interjections, although he takes some lead verses on "In Grey" and "Save the Saviors"; and they even (sort of) duet on "Midnight," with Blake taking a gorgeous verse that then seamlessly shifts into Yachty's.

The duo have described the album as ambient and experimental, and while that's certainly the musical vibe - there definitely aren't any bangers - it's more song-based than that description might suggest. Each song has a strong melody and structure; "Red Carpet" is partially a capella, with Yachty delivering verses over a ghostly chorus overdubbed Blake voices that carry the song's musical melody.

The vocals are often heavily dosed with effects, which makes the lyrics hard to understand, although some ear-grabbing Yachty verses float past like "I told my agent I wanna be treated just like a slut" and "I rock more [something] Rolexes than John Mayer" ("Save the Saviors") and "My dog's hooked on ‘phetamines" (from "Woo," which is basically the hardest-hitting track here).

Whether this will be an ongoing partnership or ships passing in the night remains to be seen, but despite its expectation-lowering title, "Bad Cameo" is a strong addition to both artists' discographies.

More from Variety

• Rick Rubin Throws Secret Music Festival in Tuscany With Performances From James Blake, Arcade Fire Members and More
• James Blake Partners With Subscription Service Vault to Address Streaming Royalty Issues for Artists

Lil Yachty Voices Desire to Make an Album with Tyler, The Creator

by Thomas Galindo March 8, 2023, 2:04 pm

Lil Yachty continues to turn heads in his new chapter.

Videos by American Songwriter

On Wednesday (March 8), Billboard released its latest cover story featuring the 25-year-old Georgian rapper. However, revolving around his January psychedelic rock album, Let’s Start Here , the interview sees him continue to attempt to stand out as more than a rapper. With that in mind, he lists names of musicians he would like to work with to expand his catalog, with the most passionate answer being his rap peer Tyler, The Creator.

“I would love to make a whole album with Tyler (The Creator), that’d be tight,” he said. “I just think we could make something really special. He’s kind of the reason I made this album too. You know, he’s the one that told me, ‘Just do it,’ and I have so much respect for him because he takes me serious. And he always has.”

Check out the clip of the interview below.

Yachty had never made a collaborative album with anyone. But, Let’s Start Here , his fifth official studio album, saw him work with intriguing names in both the hip-hop and rock spheres. Production and writing credits such as Mac Demarco, Alex G, and Steve Lacy all bolstered the album’s daring sound that deviated so much from Yachty’s trap music beginnings.

A pivot such as this made many fans remember a similar move from Tyler, The Creator. In 2019, his electronic-R&B-neo-soul album, Igor , saw a broad jump in artistry from all of his previous LPs. Beloved by the entire music industry, Igor surely inspired many of Tyler’s peers, evident in Yachty’s admiration of him. Now, nearly four years later, the spotlight finds Lil Yachty in a circumstance that mirrors the success of Tyler’s Igor era.

Yachty and Tyler have only collaborated once before on the song “T.D” from Yacthy’s 2020 album, Lil Boat 3 . While “T.D” and practically the entire album it landed on were solely hip-hop songs, a joint record from the two aforementioned stars would likely yield different results. Both having conquered genres that were once exotic to them, a world of possibilities would be in front of the two if they were to attempt a collaboration.

Neither Yachty nor Tyler, though, have confirmed that they would make a project together. Solely a dream for Yachty, he mentioned a few more artists he’d like to make music with. Those artists included Chris Martin of Coldplay, Solange, Frank Ocean, Andre 3000 of Outkast, and Kendrick Lamar. Lil Yachty clearly feels like he could access any of his favorite musicians, and daringly has his sights set on a full-length collaboration with Tyler, The Creator.

Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

Study Finds Elvis Presley Has Highest Physical Singles Sales of Any U.S. Artist

Allison Russell, Sheryl Crow, Hozier Come Together for Love Rising Benefit Concert

© 2024 American Songwriter

• pop Culture
• Facebook Navigation Icon
• Twitter Navigation Icon
• WhatsApp icon
• Instagram Navigation Icon
• Youtube Navigation Icon
• Snapchat Navigation Icon
• TikTok Navigation Icon
• pigeons & planes
• newsletters
• Youtube logo nav bar 0 youtube
• Instagram Navigation Icon instagram
• Twitter Navigation Icon x
• Facebook logo facebook
• TikTok Navigation Icon tiktok
• Snapchat Navigation Icon snapchat
• Apple logo apple news
• Flipboard logo nav bar 1 flipboard
• Instagram Navigation Icon google news
• WhatsApp icon whatsapp
• RSS feed icon rss feed

Complex Global

• united states
• united kingdom
• netherlands
• philippines
• complex chinese

Work with us

terms of use

privacy policy

cookie settings

california privacy

public notice

accessibility statement

COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.

© Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Complex.com is a part of

André 3000's Message to Younger Artists: 'Keep Pushing'

Out of nowhere on Tuesday, 3 Stacks announced a new instrumental album co-produced by Carlos Niño.

What a year it’s been for long-awaited happenings of the musical variety . This week, for example, we received official word that André 3000 —whose last full-length release arrived 17 years ago in the form of his and Big Boi ’s final Outkast album, Idlewild —had a new album ready to share with the world. Even more surprisingly, the album is not only finished, it’s coming soon; “soon” as in, we’ll all be able to hear a new André 3000 album in a matter of days .

In an interview with Rodney Carmichael for NPR, it was revealed that the album, titled New Blue Sun , is an entirely instrumental project co-produced by 3 Stacks and Carlos Niño. It's a fitting turn from André following a slew of headlines over the years related to his affinity for the flute, though there's no denying the art-forward approach he's taken to get here.

Asked in the interview what he might hope for “this hip-hop generation” to glean from New Blue Sun and where it sits within the larger story of his creative journey, the Outkast co-founder pointed to the importance of exploration as an artist.

“Explore, man, explore. That's what it's about. Like, keep pushing,” he said. “That's really what it is. I mean, the same way you explore words, you don't have to let it stick to words. Explore. Whatever you pay attention to, pay attention to what you're paying attention to and go for it. That's really what it is. Like, I couldn't have planned this. I just started paying attention to a thing and just went for it. So you don't have to stay in a certain way. And they know it now; like, they got it, man.”

Elaborating further on how he views the current generation, 3 Stacks said he’s noticed a “no categories kind of thing” among a number of artists. Still, André hasn't “changed my formula at all” from how he was creating earlier in his career.

"When me and Big Boi got together, we didn't really know where we were going," he told NPR. "We had human intentions. We knew we wanted to rap. And I never knew that rapping would even take me to producing and producing would take me to playing instruments and instruments would get me here. So I've just been on the ride and people have been on a ride with us and with me. I see this as just [being] further down the road."

Read and/or listen to the full interview here .

New Blue Sun is out Nov. 17 and sees André 3000 centering on woodwinds with contributions from Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, Deantoni Parks, Diego Gaeta, Matthewdavid, V.C.R, Diego Gaeta, Jesse Peterson, and Mia Doi Todd.

Below, see the album's official cover art.

SHARE THIS STORY

Complex Music Newsletter

Stay ready. The playlists, good reads and video interviews you need—delivered every week.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our

Latest in Music

| BY MARK ELIBERT

Shaquille O'Neal Apologizes to Drake for Sharing 'BBL Drizzy' Meme: 'My Bad, Big Drake'

Schoolboy Q Mocks Biden and Trump’s Golf Discussion in Presidential Debate: ‘Trump Definitely Cheated During the Club Championship'

Megan Thee Stallion Scores Unreleased Pimp C Verse for "Paper Together," Fans React

| BY ALEX OCHO

Bronny James Honors Juice WRLD by Wearing No. 9 on Lakers Jersey

Cardi B Upset Over Production Team for Ruining Her Performance: ‘What Am I Paying Y’all N***as For?’

| BY JAELANI TURNER-WILLIAMS

Harmony Korine to Revive Hip-Hop Film 'The Trap' as an Anime

Camila Cabello Says It's 'Frustrating' to Watch Drake and Kendrick Lamar Feud, Suggests They 'Go to Dinner'

Rihanna Teases A$AP Rocky While Rapping Along to GloRilla's "TGIF"

| BY BRAD CALLAS

Sum 41 Drummer Jokes That Band Predicted Viral 'Hawk Tuah' in 2002's "The Hell Song"

Plies Gives Advice to Biden and Harris Following Presidential Debate With Trump: 'America Wanted to See U Spank His Lil Bad Azz'

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

All Things Considered

• Latest Show
• Consider This Podcast
• About The Program
• Contact The Program
• Corrections

From rap to experimental flute, how and why musicians reinvent their sound

A look at different examples of recording artists who have pivoted to a new musical genre at some point in their career.

Copyright © 2023 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

What André 3000 means to Black Atlanta creatives

• By Rashad Milligan
• May 28, 2024

In 1995, a young André 3000 went on stage at the Source Awards and changed the landscape of hip-hop forever. At the time of the show, the East Coast-West Coast rivalry in music was at an all-time high as it centered on the genre’s two biggest stars, The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. Outkast won the award for best rap group at the show and as the Atlanta duo of André 3000 and Big Boi came on stage and were booed by the New York crowd, the pair responded to the challenge and nothing was ever the same.

“I’m tired of the close-minded folks,” André 3000 said. “It’s like we’ve got a demo tape and no one wants to hear it, but it’s like this, though, the south got something to say, and that’s all I’ve got to say.”

Over the past 20 years, the majority of mainstream rap stars have come through Atlanta. After André 3000 eventually became a music superstar and one of the greatest rappers ever, he remains proud of his hometown.

“We saw New York get hot, we saw the West Coast get hot,” André 3000 said on stage at the 2024 Atlanta Jazz Festival on May 27 which also marked his 49th birthday. “One thing Atlanta was able to do was be around for creativity. You’ve got Dungeon Family, you’ve got OutKast, Goodie Mob, Big Rube, and a lot of y’all don’t know it, but Kanye West is from Atlanta, also. Yeah, look it up.

“A lot of interesting people, things and freedom[s] have come out of Atlanta, Georgia. I hope y’all feel as great as I feel about this city.”

As the case has been for the past three decades, there’s currently another surge of emerging Atlanta talent in the hip-hop underground scene. Artists like Karrahbooo, Anycia, Tony Shhnow, Baby Kia, 404 Chew, Lil Tony Official, Vayda, Spook, Dono, Woo Da Savage, Tiva Fox, SwaVay, Daylan Gideon, Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson are knocking on the door of the mainstream and are likely to be the next wave of artists to add to the legacy left by the likes of T.I., Gucci Mane, Future, Ludacris, Jeezy, Bankroll Fresh, 21 Savage, Playboi Carti, Migos, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, Latto, Lil Baby and Gunna.

At the Atlanta Jazz Festival, artists RobOlu and Fathereg spoke to rolling out about how André 3000 has influenced their creative process.

What is it like to watch one of the greatest rappers ever, evolve into an artist who’s performing at the Jazz Festival?

RobOlu: N— the GOAT. N— brought more than the city out. N—, there’s like 150-200,000 people out here, and he playing the flute. He’s not even rapping.

Fathereg: Strictly the flute. How many people just from strictly playing the flute?

RobOlu: He’s impacting and influencing our vibrations by playing the flute. He’s doing more than what people would expect him to do. I feel like he’s transcending his celebrity onto another plane. I f— with it.

What do you think this says to Black creatives about their limits?

Fathereg: There’s no limits. That’s the point. How do you go from rapping to playing the flute, and people still give you that same amount of respect?

RobOlu: That’s the definition of transcendent. Not a monolith.

How has André influenced your art?

RobOlu: Push the limits. Push the barriers, gotd—.

Just because I’m this or that, and people will recognize or know me as this doesn’t mean I can’t break out of that margin and write outside the lines. I could write my “Y” three lines down, four lines down. I can take up the whole page with one “Y.” André did that.

Fathereg: He really helped me find a bunch of talent that could be anywhere. André’s an inspiration, man.

RobOlu: The GOAT.

Fathereg: Videos, oh my gosh. I’m going to be here all day.

Sign up for Rolling Out news straight to your inbox.

• andre 3000 , Black Atlanta , creatives , Fathereg , RobOlu

Naomi Campbell recounts how the fashion industry has changed

André 3000 pays tribute to Rico Wade at Atlanta Jazz Festival

Rico Wade of Organized Noize and Dungeon Family has died at 52

Usher’s new Super Bowl promo with celeb friends is a twist on classic movie

André 3000 is taking his flute on tour

Quavo wants to add to his music versatility with this instrument

• More in Artist Interviews

How Mýa’s spirit remains peaceful

Gospel singer Latrice Pace shares a prayer for people trying to find faith

Skylar Blatt blew up; then Chris Brown gave her the opportunity of a lifetime

• Community News
• Justice For All
• All Entertainment
• Reality Check
• All Culture
• Relationships
• Cocktail & Beer
• Creative Lens
• All Business
• Black Intellectuals
• Diversity Equity & Focus
• Sisters with Superpowers
• Home Ownership & Real Estate
• Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders
• Executive Suite
• Finance & Wealth
• Marketing & Branding
• Be the Match Atlanta
• Food & Nutrition
• Browse Places & Events
• Visit Hōtel
• HBCU Culture
• Privacy Policy

Change Location

Find awesome listings near you.

André 3000 Spotted with Pharoahe Monch, Mike D & Quelle Chris

André 3000 (Lars Niki/Getty Images), Mike D (Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage), Pharoahe Monch (Johnny Nunez/Wireimage)

Rap icons Pharoahe Monch, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, and legendary Detroit performer Quelle Chris have all been spotted in the studio with André 3000. Monch shared photos of the four of them hanging out in the lab and taking an all-star selfie on Instagram on December 20, 2023.

Monch said the images were taken in a Los Angeles studio last night. The rapper was in the city to work with famous jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold, who has previously recorded music with Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Rihanna.

The highly anticipated debut solo ‘New Blue Sun’ album by André 3000 was released a few weeks before the star-studded studio session. Fans have had mixed reactions to the album. Many were unhappy that the OutKast legend would not be doing any more music after over 20 years without a full album. However, the rapper said he would like to make a new album with OutKast.

You might also like

Conway the machine mentions eminem after benzino diss, joe budden disses travis scott & playboi carti’s grammy performance, sexyy red is ready to ‘hit da block’ after second child’s birth.

During a CBS Mornings interview, he stated:  “I want another OutKast album. Yeah, like in my mind, but see, that’s the thing. That’s the human side. I wanted an OutKast album a long time ago.”

André 3000 continued saying: “And honestly, for me as an individual, it would be gratifying to me to put out a solo rap situation. But not for nobody else at this point. It’s for me because I actually like the challenge of, ‘How could I make this part of my life interesting and rhyme in words?’ You know what I mean? Like how can I do that? So yeah, it’s still a challenge. So I think hopefully with will and intent, something will happen.”

Pharoahe Monch’s most recent solo album was ‘PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,’ which was released in 2014. His debut album was ‘Internal Affairs’ in 1999, and earlier this year, he revealed a new project called ‘External Affairs.’

He revealed a teaser and said: “On March 22, 2011, I released the W.A.R. album. The album intro leads off with Idris Elba discovering and deciphering information in the future. That date was July 27, 2023. He warns us about classified information, which was External Affairs. Now, the upload is almost complete.”

He continued saying: “I thought it would be a challenge to try to follow up or conclude the fan-favorite Internal Affairs for various reasons. The main challenge is the landscape and ideology of the planet has completely changed from how music is disseminated and consumed, to where the bar has been reset in terms of elite MCs. 25 years wiser, I’m prepared to explore more existential topics that effect our very humanity on all levels with External Affairs.”

Internal Affairs was his first project after splitting from Prince Po, his co-founder of Organized Konfusion. Prince Po, Lady Luck, Redman, Busta Rhymes, and Method Man are among the notable artists who worked on the album.

His hit ‘Simon Says’ songs debuted at No. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on Hot Rap Songs, and No. 29 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Three more albums by Monch have been published since then, including Desire, W.A.R., and PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Recommended For You

Conway The Machine clarified his relationship with Shady Records and Eminem following Benzino's recent remarks.

Joe Budden expressed his disapproval of Travis Scott and Playboi Carti's performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards during the latest episode of his podcast.

Sexyy Redd, the rapper, announced on Instagram on February 5, 2024, that she had given birth to her second child.

Drake’s Alleged Sex Tape Leak Shocks Internet

Drake went viral after an explicit video of him masturbating in bed leaked online on February 6, 2024.

J. Cole Nearing Completion of ‘The Fall Off’ Album

J. Cole revealed he's close to finishing his seventh album, ‘The Fall Off,’ during the ‘It's All a Blur - Big as the What?’ Tour with Drake.

Related News

TRAVIS SCOTT ANNOUNCES UTOPIA TOUR DATES

Ludacris, Megan Thee Stallion, & Tyla Added to ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’

Kanye West Dancer Recalls Ye Saving Her From Being Harassed

Browse by category.

Your #1 Source For Rap & Hip-Hop News!

BROWSE BY TAG

© 2023 RAPNEWS - Best rap news

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

• 2024 XXL Freshman Class Revealed
• Buy XXL Freshman Merch
• Young Chop Fights in Jail
• Joe Budden's Surprising Drake Claim

SleazyWorld Go Announces His Debut Album, Talks Tour and Advice He Got From Lil Durk

It's been a full year since  SleazyWorld Go was inducted into the 2023  XXL Freshman Class , and a lot has happened since for the Michigan native. After closing out last year with his mixtape,  Where the Shooters Be 2 , Sleazy hit the road and has kept his foot on the gas in 2024. In an exclusive interview with XXL , Sleazy announces his debut album, talks tour life and advice he's received from Lil Durk .

SleazyWorld Go said last year's tour has been the craziest part of his career so far. Seeing people come from all around the world to watch him perform moved him and motivated him.

Now, as Sleazy gets ready to drop off his official debut album,  More Than a Shooter , via Republic Records, he's choosing to recognize that blessing. When asked to elaborate on the title, SleazyWorld Go explains the name is a celebration for how he was able to defy stereotypes he faced growing up. Every adult around him seemed to tell him he would amount to nothing.

"I always remember when I was growing up how I just felt the things around me, the people around me, just hearing aunties, mamas, teachers, police or people in the neighborhood just saying this is what you is," Sleazy tells  XXL.  "This is where you're gonna be at."

The rapper most recently flipped DMX 's 1999 classic "What These B***hes Want" for the album's lead single, "WTW," and despite the project's imminent release, Sleazy is already thinking about what's next.

"I'm just really big on art," Sleazy shares. "Anything that gotta do with art. I'm big on it, I feel like I'm good at it. I wanna design my own clothes, too. Anything that's really a form of art I love doing it."

Watch the full conversation with SleazyWorld Go below, in which he talks about his new album, advice from Lil Durk and more.

Watch SleazyWorld Go's Interview With XXL

See which rappers are touring in 2024, more from xxl.