Hip-hop legend André 3000 recently shared his thoughts on why many contemporary rappers seem to have a similar sound. During a recent episode of LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s show, “The Shop,” André 3000 sat down with Sexyy Red, Jerry Lorenzo, and others to discuss the state of modern rap music.
“If we were to come out as OutKast when we thought we were ready, we wouldn’t be around today ’cause we sounded like everybody else, we sounded like who we were listening to,” André 3000 explained. He pointed out that today’s artists often lack the time to develop their unique styles. “Now, I don’t think artists have time to cultivate themselves so a lot of artists sound the same. You can quickly jump on a microphone — it’s awesome because you’re getting an immediacy, but you don’t get time to hone who you are.”
He further elaborated by referencing well-known artists who took time to find their distinctive sounds. “Even Future came up in the Dungeon [Family]. I know Ray [Murray, one-third of Organized Noize] has Future recordings where Future sounds different; Future was rapping. It takes a minute. Even 2 Chainz. Like, Tity Boi was rapping.” André emphasized that developing a unique style is a process. “What I’m saying is, over time you develop a thing and you figure out, ‘Okay, this is most effective for me.’ And we see it and we love Future for what he does now, but I don’t know if it would’ve been as successful.”
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In the same conversation, André 3000 also touched on his recent artistic pivot to playing the flute. He confessed that he is still navigating his new musical path. “I don’t want people to think I’m trying to be a jazz musician. I kind of look at myself as a sonic displayist. I don’t know what notes I’m playing, to be completely honest,” he admitted. “I’m not trying to pretend like I know what I’m doing, in a way. I actually don’t know what I’m doing and that’s part of the art.”
In November 2023, André surprised fans by releasing his first solo album, “New Blue Sun,” which marked a departure from his previous work. The album features André playing the flute instead of rapping or singing, showcasing his exploration into new musical territories.
André 3000’s insights shed light on the challenges faced by new artists in finding and honing their unique voices in an industry that often demands immediate results. His reflections on his own career and the evolution of other artists underscore the importance of time and experience in developing a distinctive artistic identity.
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