7 Great André 3000 Guest Verses

André 3000 surprised fans with the release of his first solo album, "New Blue Sun," just days after announcing it. This is noteworthy because he's been on a break from making music with Outkast for almost 20 years. However, the album may not meet fans' expectations because it's not a typical rap album. Instead, it's an 88-minute instrumental album that features woodwind compositions in an ambient style. André 3000 is known for his hit songs such as "Ms. Jackson," "B.O.B," and "Hey Ya!" and is considered one of the most talented and beloved rappers of his generation.

If you don't trust what I'm saying, take a moment to contemplate the name of the 12-minute intro song. It's a declaration of regret and intention all at once: "I genuinely planned to create a 'rap' album, but fate had other ideas: 'I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album But This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time.'" And once you've considered the title, give it a listen. The song is sublime and lovely in a manner that brings to mind Laraaji, Brian Eno, and Philip Glass - all known to be inspirations for the album.

"New Blue Sun" marks a refreshing departure from the mundane and repetitive music scene. It is a great choice for a weekend's worth of quality listening. However, for today's playlist, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and showcase André's exceptional skills as a rapper through some of his most exceptional guest appearances.

After the release of their sixth and probable last album, "Idlewild," in the year 2006 by Outkast, Big Boi has released three solo albums. In contrast, André's musical work has mostly been restricted to some occasional guest verses. However, those few verses have been incredibly amazing.

André has acted as a knowledgeable teacher on two influential Frank Ocean albums and shared eloquent vocals with his child's mother, Erykah Badu. He's added a unique extraterrestrial quality to songs by major artists such as Beyoncé and Drake, and connected with lesser-known but beloved musicians like Devin the Dude and Killer Mike. Even though he's collabed with several artists throughout his career, André's verses remain exceptional because he doesn't offer them to just anyone. His endorsements or recommendations seem well-thought-out because they are still infrequent.

Dré possesses a unique and diverse style of music, blending humor, emotional depth, sharp observation, and some enigmatic language, sometimes even in one song segment. His rhythmic technique is unconventional, marked by a quirky and personal touch, with a tendency to stray from the conventional beats and rhythms. Unlike many artists of his generation, he reflects a charming self-awareness about his passion and desire, yet never fails to deliver a passionate and provocative performance. His persona is a curious mix of mystery and realism, a true representation of his hometown, Atlanta, yet always down-to-earth. His style is effortlessly cool and impeccable, setting him apart from the rest as an ice-cold ATLien.

In case you were anticipating a flute-only album from André 3000 and were disappointed, don't write him off just yet. Take some time to check out this playlist and admire all of the amazing rap verses he has provided us with thus far.

Tune in to Spotify while you peruse this blog.

UGK And Outkast Collaborate On "Int'l Players Anthem "

This 2007 hip-hop masterpiece is a great tribute to monogamy. It's a mix of royal elegance, rawness, and genuine affection. André's sincere and emotional verse starts the song and sets the mood. He expresses his remorse for hurting women he's previously dated, but he prioritizes the happiness of his current partner. (You can listen to the song on YouTube.)

Frank Ocean's "Solo " Song

André enters the music scene of Frank Ocean's 2016 album "Blonde" with a barrage of words spoken quickly. He utilizes wordplay such as "solo" and "so low" alongside sparse piano music by James Blake, creating an inspired ambiance. André's flow swerves around corners until he abruptly brings everything to a halt, demonstrating his control over his rhythm. This part of Ocean's deeply personal album is the most notable element, proving that the younger artist greatly admires André's skills. (You can listen to it on YouTube.)

"Beyoncé & André 3000's "Party" Collab"

In this particular part of a song included in one of Beyoncé's albums from 2011 called "4," André boasts about himself a little, tries his own unique way of saying "gyro," and shows some mixed emotions about being seen as a respected and experienced figure in the world of hip-hop, since he's getting older: "A young person told me they admire me, but this just makes me feel like I'm getting old." (You can find the song on YouTube and listen to it.)

Rick Ross Ft. André 3000: "Sixteen"

In the song "16 Ain't Enough" by Rick Ross, he and André 3000 explore the challenge of encapsulating one's life into a single rap verse. The track, which runs for eight minutes and appears on Ross's 2012 album "God Forgives, I Don't," offers a meta-meditation on the topic. Both artists manage to squeeze a vast range of experiences and emotions into their rhymes, with André delivering a particularly powerful performance. In his verse, he reflects on his youth spent drawing album covers with Crayolas and then shifts into a more reflective tone, offering wisdom from the perspective of a childhood dream that has come true. You can listen to the song on YouTube.

"The Real Her" By Drake Ft. Lil Wayne & André 3000

Back in 2011, Drake was attempting to sound like a sincere lover when André 3000 jumped on his "Take Care" song to demonstrate how it's done. André 3000 exposed his soul by mentioning Adele and stating that everyone has their own addiction, and his is the person he loves. The lyrics are evocative in their simplicity. You can listen to the song on YouTube.

Devin The Dude's "What A Job"

In this blog post, we'll discuss a song from Devin the Dude's album "Waitin' to Inhale" that showcases the creative process of a musician. This song features Houston rapper Devin the Dude, as well as Snoop Dogg and André 3000, all reflecting on and expressing their gratitude for their profession. In his verse, André 3000 touches on the issue of piracy, likening it to someone taking a few kernels off your corn on the cob at work. If you're interested in listening to the song, it's available on YouTube.

Scientists & Engineers By Killer Mike And André 3000 Ft. Future & Eryn Allen Kane

André has showcased his impressive rapping skills on a new track featured on Killer Mike's album "Michael" from 2023. The song has been recently nominated for two Grammy awards. The track features otherworldly sounds, creating the impression of André's voice coming from another dimension. Despite his out-of-this-world sound, he also conveys his human emotions with the lyrics, sharing his struggles with communication and the desire for companionship. Nevertheless, he also maintains hope for the future, expressing his wish to be still productive and energetic at the age of 80. The track is a must-listen, and we should all hope to be as resilient and passionate as André. (Listen to the track on YouTube)

Oh Three Stacks, take good care of your heart, always look after it.

Check out our playlist on Spotify. We make sure to add all the latest tracks every time we send out a new newsletter.

Here are seven tracks that feature André 3000 as a guest rapper: 1. "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)" by UGK featuring Outkast 2. "Solo (Reprise)" by Frank Ocean 3. "Party" by Beyoncé featuring André 3000 4. "Sixteen" by Rick Ross featuring André 3000 5. "The Real Her" by Drake featuring Lil Wayne and André 3000 6. "What a Job" by Devin the Dude 7. "Scientists & Engineers" by Killer Mike and André 3000 featuring Future and Eryn Allen Kane.

In case you happen to be in Brussels (just like I did during my vacation last week), make sure to check out the amazing Musical Instruments Museum - it's definitely worth a visit! The M.I.M. displays an enormous assortment of instruments that range from brand new to centuries old, with some fascinating oddities thrown in the mix. I was lucky enough to lay my eyes on one of Adolphe Sax's seven-bell trumpets (which wasn't as successful as his saxophone invention), a notoriously peculiar glass harmonica, and an array of woodwind instruments that would have impressed André 3000.

This week's Friday Playlist includes some fresh tunes from popular artists such as Drake, Dua Lipa, Julia Holter and others. Check it out and have a listen!