Genres: Ambient, New Age, Mode Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Freeform Jazz

Andre 3000, best known for his role alongside rapper Big Boi in the iconic rap duo Outkast, has been a figure in the hip-hop community since 1992 with their first release Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Andre 3000 has been considered one of the greatest lyricists to ever do it, many believe him to be the “Guest Verse King”; collaborating with artists such as Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Jay-Z, and many more.

His latest project, New Blue Sun is a complete and total shift from his source material. This record is entirely instrumental, with no lyrics—which shook the hip-hop community. With this being his first solo musical project in 17 years, fans were disappointed to hear about this lack of “bars.” 

In art, there are selfish and selfless pieces—you can create something that is made for you and only you, or you can create something you know will appeal to the masses. I feel in great art, you can feel when something is made selfishly. Andre can create a true and full piece of art, with no outside influence.

This album is by no means for the average music fan. It’s an extremely unconventional rollercoaster, and I adore it. It shatters the barriers to what a predominantly hip-hop-based musician can accomplish. I do not consider this just an “album,” I would classify it as an art piece—an otherworldly experience that you will never understand until you experience it for yourself. 

The songs are long, drawn-out orchestral soundscapes. Rapper Tyler the Creator described it as “chasing a butterfly through a garden.” The songs feature accompaniment by Andre’s bass clarinet, as well as other production and direction by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.