André 3000 compares his new level of fame to “Coke Zero”

Comparing his new venture to “a long line of historical bands like Sun Ra, the Chicago Art Ensemble”, André put his focus on creating a sound that is “made up or improv or really reactionary,” on his debut solo album, New Blue Sun.

As his first release in almost two decades, following Outkast’s album Idlewild, which came out in 2006 as the follow-up to their Grammy-winning double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, he’s been able to take a step back from the limelight and enjoy things at a slower pace, rather than being the face of one of the most iconic rap groups from a specific era.

No maybe, if, or probably: I talked to ANDRE FUCKING 3000 for @RecordingAcad about what he thinks about when he’s playing the flute, if he’s still writing raps, and why he’s the Lil B of spiritual jazz.https://t.co/EwTwvFYJhS

— Shawn Setaro (@SameOldShawn) September 25, 2024

He admits that he prefers not being in the limelight, and creating an album that is rooted in jazz, has allowed him to step back.

“It’s almost like superstar lite, like Coke Lite or Coke Zero. It’s like Superstar Zero. You’ve got the fame, but it’s not as intense as it was before. It’s different,” he said. “A lot of people are weirded out about the direction, so it’s not the same intensity of the whole world onboard with you — which is kind of cool for my age and tastes. I like this pace a lot, compared to just being all over everywhere all the time.”