André 3000, one-half of the iconic hip-hop duo OutKast, recently shared a profound experience he had while revisiting his earlier music. The legendary rapper, now known for his flute-playing ventures, described feeling an “out-of-body” sensation while immersing himself in hours of his classic tracks.
In a candid conversation with Grammy.com, André revealed that the journey began when a friend sent him a clip of an old interview where he discussed a song he hadn’t listened to in years. Curious, he decided to dive deep into his catalog.
“I went back to hear that track and it sparked something. I ended up falling down a rabbit hole,” he recalled. “I spent hours in my hotel room, just playing through my old OutKast albums and guest verses. It was like five straight hours of listening.”
As he revisited his catalog, André 3000 experienced a rare disconnect from his work, viewing it as if he were an outsider. “It was almost like I was a fan, not the artist who created those songs,” he explained.
“I couldn’t remember where my mind was at when I made them. It felt like an out-of-body experience, as if I was looking back at a version of myself from another time.”
The reflection also left him in awe of how much he has evolved since his OutKast days. “You realize how much time has passed and how different you are now. That part is even crazier,” he said.
André 3000’s deep connection with his past work serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on hip-hop and his ability to continuously evolve as both an artist and individual.
