NPR Music journalist discusses interview with André 3000 & rapper’s new sound

November 17th, 2023

In this Nov. 13, 2012 file photo, musician and actor Andre Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000, appears at a promotional event for Gillette in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

André 3000’s first solo project, titled the “New Blue Sun,” dropped on Friday. The 87-minute instrumental album marks André’s return to the music scene after almost two decades.

André is best known as one-half of the Grammy award-winning rap duo OutKast. And although the album’s release coincides with the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, the six-time Grammy Winner does not rap on the entire album.

In fact, one of the tracks is called: I swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time.

NPR Music’s hip-hop staff writer Rodney Carmichael recently interviewed André.

On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Carmichael talks with show host Rose Scott about the new album and his recent conversation with the music giant.