Andre 3000: Soulful Flute Euphoria!!!
Joseph Watkins
When I wake up in the morning, I like to surround my ears with music. No words, just melodic sounds. I usually immerse myself in the YouTube selections of Chillhop’s summer themes or their recent fall 2023 encounters. At the moment, I’m eating ramen at night in Tokyo.
For today’s wake-up music composition, I decided to hit the play button on Andre 3000’s (A3000/3Stacks), latest project, New Blue Sun, and as I listened to the flute skills of the famed artist, I came to a startling conclusion: He is a vibe. 100%
His newest creation in 17 years, New Blue Sun isn't a rap album, nor is it an album with wordplay. It’s a soulful experience encompassing contrabass flutes, Mayan flutes, bamboo flutes, and a series of keyboards and guitars from prominent musicians within the soulful music space. His list of songs is even more impressive as they match the vibe and energy of the album:
I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
The Slang Word P(*)ssy Rolls Off The Tongue With Far Better Ease Than The Proper Word Vagina . Do You Agree?
That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn't Control ... Sh¥t Was Wild
BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered
Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé
Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy
Ants To You, Gods To Who?
Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens
As the playlist unfolds, listeners are taken on a lyrical voyage that transcends the ordinary, inviting them to dive into the intricate layers of meaning woven into each title and the sounds that follow. Open to interpretation, I analyzed two tracks, highlighting his freedom and success (IMO)….
1. I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time
This melodic introduction was reminiscent to a new beginning — a time of rebirth, growth, and development. As the sun rises, a decision was made to venture out into the unknown and once that decision was made, freedom came with it. The freedom to learn, discover, and venture into a sea of familiarity, daring to be different. This first track, this harmonious adventure, became the compass and north star for 3 Stacks, guiding us into the unknown culture of flute playing.
5. Ninety-Three ‘Til Infinity and Beyoncé
As you listen, it plays on a harmonious loop at first, but new pitches enter this musical escapade at pivotal moments. Perhaps these pitches are the highlights of his success instrumentally? With melodic tones, spaced out strategically, this instrumental adventure, I feel, illustrates the timeline of OutKast's sound, which originated in '93 with their track, Player's Ball. With each uplifting tone, highlighting an achievement, it’s important to note that Player’s Ball achieved the remarkable feat of topping the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and R&B charts for six weeks and also served as an outstanding introduction to OutKast's distinctive funky sound.
Turning the spotlight to Beyoncé, her significance within the context could be an ode to her as a person and potentially, a discussion about her position within the culture. In the context of being a person, A3000 and former OutKast lyricist Big Boi’s track SpottieOttiedopaliscious was sampled for Beyoncé's All Night and as a person, 3 Stacks also collaborated with Beyoncé on her 2023 hit song, Party. Additionally, in a poetic full circle, Andre 3000 had sought permission from Beyoncé herself to use her name for the title.
Thoughts
Overall, 3 Stacks' album displays his musical artistry as a flute player and provides a sonic sanctuary in a sea of hip-hop familiarity (even though, its classified as an experimental jazz album). While many artists use words and synonymous themes to convey their message, he employs his musical talents in their absence. Peace and harmony permeate A3000's music, allowing for a personal interpretation of the melodies, inviting introspection, and encouraging a connection with the soul. Here, the absence of words allows the emergence of emotions and spiritual resonance to ascend through instrumental compositions, transforming your music listening into a very sacred moment.
Andre 3000 hasn’t released an album in 17 years, and for good reason. He stated that he has “rap songs....but doesn’t feel happy about sharing it.” With his flute however, he excitedly has created a lane all his own in Hip-Hop’s fast-paced industry, where frenetic energy and intense lyrical delivery are necessary for success. Considered to be an experimental jazz album, for Andre 3K, he’s never left hip-hop and he’s explaining to listeners why it’s necessary to sit back and reflect on one’s soul and partake in an ethereal experience in the absence of it.
4.5 out of five stars.
