Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
Like most people, I presume, when the news dropped that André 3000 — the GOAT-level emcee and artist who comprises one-half of the legendary hip-hop duo Outkast — was releasing an album where he would be playing the flute in lieu of rapping, I was befuddled. Bemused even. My first reaction was, WTF? But I quickly got myself together and remembered that 3000 has given the world so much quality music that I really don’t have room to complain about him deciding that he just wasn’t in the space or didn’t have the words to rap right now. I actually appreciate the honesty and vulnerability of admitting and acknowledging that despite being considered one of the greatest to ever rap, he just doesn’t have it anymore (or right now). Plus, who am I to put any artist into a box; creatives gon’ create and artists gonna art. And I love art in all forms.
For context, I am one of the people who absolutely loved (and welcomed) the 3000 half of “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” the Album of the Year Grammy Award-winning double album that dropped in September 2003. 3000 as an experimental artist, as opposed to rapper, isn’t a new concept. He’s been in this space for quite some time. Did I ever think we’d get another full-length album of pure artistry? No. I genuinely thought he was done releasing any of his own music while happily popping up as a surprise feature on albums from a litany of artists. Part of me is glad that I was wrong; it’s kind of cool to see where your favorite artists are in their musical journeys.
To that end, I decided that despite any misguided misgivings I initially had,…
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