Andre 3000, whose real name is André Lauren Benjamin, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. Andre is perhaps best known as one-half of the hip-hop duo OutKast, alongside rapper Big Boi. Born on May 27, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, Andre 3000 has become a prominent figure in the music and entertainment industry.
After finding enormous success in the music industry alongside his partner in crime “Big Boi”, people were begging for an Andre 3000 solo album. Ever since 2003, when Outkast released their last album, people expected Andre to release a solo album, however, the wait lasted for over 20 years, and oh boy did he deliver, or did he?
After 20 long years, Andre 3000 debuted with his solo record which he named “The New Blue Sun”. However, this album was a complete 180-degree turnaround from the usual style we have witnessed from Andres’s previous work. “The New Blue Sun” was a breath of fresh air not just for Andre’s fan base, but also from the mainstream part of the music industry in general.
The opening track “I swear, I really wanted to make a “rap” album but this is literally the way wind blew me this time” is a 12-minute track that might seem too long for a certain audience, but I couldn’t help but find this song extremely fitting as the intro of the album. This track immersed my mood and made me feel as if I was sitting observing a beautiful view filled with nature.
Another notable track that stood out to me, senior Mukhammadali Alijinov and Legacy Project teacher Mr.Personette was track number 4,”BuyPoloDisorders Daughter Wears A 3000 Shirt embroidered.” Alijinov claimed,” in the first minute of track number 4, the song goes from spacey to ominous when the synths come into play. Made me feel like I went from witnessing an alien abduction to now being part of a dystopian society.” Mr. Personette stated,” The song has a big mysterious tone to it. As if I was witnessing a strange event taking place in a unique civilization.”
The outro track “Dream’s Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout into Undying Gardens.” which also happened to be the longest track on the album ranging at 17 minutes, was rather harder for me to define as simultaneously it was musical and progressive especially with that really beautiful and intense swell at the end. However, I felt as if I was existing in a place rather than listening to a musical art.
Overall, “The New Blue Sun” gave me an experience like no other. Instead of enjoying the album for the pure aspect of music, I felt as if I was transcending into a different reality. Andre created an album out of ambient sounds and I believe he did a great job. On the other hand, the more negative aspect, I could not get the usual enjoyment out of this record as I would from other albums due to me not finding enjoyment from the musical genre Andre 3000 tried to push out with this record. In conclusion, I would give this record a strong 6 to a light 7.
