After spending years out of the spotlight, Andre Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000, has returned to the entertainment industry to tour in several festivals with Big Boi, his partner in Outkast crime, and to play the legendary Jimi Hendrix in the biopic about the early stages of Hendrix's career, "Jimi: All Is By My Side."
In an exculsive interview with Jon Caramanica of "The New York Times," Mr. Benjamin discussed many topics such as the brillance of Hendrix, life away from the spotlight, and the possibility of a new album in the near future. Here are five of the many, many takeaways fans of Andre 3000 can ascertain from the interview.
Playing Jimi Hendrix helped Andre 3000 through a dark time: "Honestly, I needed it in my life, too. Hendrix kind of saved me. I was in a not-so-great space, just in a dark place every day. I needed something to focus on to get me out of my depression and rut."
Andre 3000 has spoken many times in his music about his struggle to cope with the pressures that come along with the entertainment industry. Thankfully, he's been able to find an outlet for his frustrations.
Struggling at this year's Coachella: "Yeah, I think people could see it at Coachella, the very first show. It was foreign. My head wasn't there. I kind of fluffed through rehearsals. A few hours before the Coachella show, I get a message that Prince and Paul McCartney are going to be there. My spirit is not right, and idols are standing side-stage, so as the show started, I'm bummed. This is horrible."
By any measure, Outkast's reunion show at Coachella was a dissapointment. Big Boi gave a valiant effort but it was clear than Andre 3000 was not in tune for the show. Part of the problem was that the audience in attendance only knew three or four songs from Outkast's entire discography. By the time the show reached, "Hey Ya," Andre 3000 was performing with his back to the crowd.
The moment Andre 3000 stopped caring. pic.twitter.com/BDHjNag5Uk
— atom robinson (@atomrobinson) April 12, 2014
Did he just have a bad vibe? Was he annoyed that the audience was full of hipsters that priced out the fans who really would have enjoyed Outkast reuniting for the first time in a decade? Who knows, but it went poorly. Later, Andre 3000 addresses what made him get his act together for future concert shows.
On being a 39-year old rapper: "I remember, at like 25, saying, "I don't want to be a 40-year-old rapper." I'm 39 now, and I'm still standing by that. I'm such a fan that I don't want to infiltrate it with old blood."
Andre 3000 would later go on to say that he doesn't want to feel like he's mimicking or being a caricature of his hip hop persona. He's an older man now with old man problems and a son who almost an adult. Luckily for us, the persona of Andre 3000 is not centered around a "forever young" mentality so he might feel inclined to bring the people more classic music.
Having a chance to spend with his son: "Seven's been going to school in Atlanta for the last two years. I wake up every morning, take him to school, pick him up from school, going to soccer games, going to wrestling matches. Total dad, which is cool, because so much of that was taken by my early Outkast years. We were at the height, so a lot of the time that should have been [spent] with him, I'm on the road entertaining everybody else."
Many celebrities understand how hard it is to maintain their careers and be an involved parent. The time away from music has allowed Andre 3000 to enjoy being a father, something no amount of fame or money can give. As he explains further in the interview, he wouldn't trade it for anything.
When pressed about creating a new album: I won't even quote this. Andre 3000 is such a tease. Let's just say, he didn't confirm or deny anything.
The interview is a must-read for Outkast fans and fans of music in general. If you aren't hip to the musical sensation that is Outkast, do yourself the favor of a lifetime and listen to their stuff, now. Make a new tab and just do it. Why wait for something that will enhance your life?
3000, out.
