André 3000 has once again captured the attention of the music world, but this time, it’s for a project far removed from his hip-hop roots. The former OutKast icon was as surprised as anyone when he learned that his experimental, jazz-influenced album New Blue Sun earned him his second-ever Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, André shared his reaction to the news, which marks his first nomination in this category since OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below swept the Grammys two decades ago.
New Blue Sun showcases André’s foray into what he describes as “punk spiritual jazz,” a style worlds apart from the hip-hop sound he’s known for.
Reflecting on the Grammy nod, André revealed he hadn’t anticipated his project making waves in the industry to this extent. “I was just waking up and I heard that the nominations came in,” he said.
“We were hoping to get recognized in alternative jazz or maybe even ambient categories, but to be up for Album of the Year is beyond anything I expected.”
He expressed his delight at the recognition, adding, “I was totally surprised by this. So yeah, it was super, super, super-duper cool.”
André’s New Blue Sun is an instrumental project that stretches the boundaries of traditional jazz, infusing it with punk, spiritual undertones, and ambient textures.
The Grammy nomination not only underscores his versatility as an artist but also celebrates his willingness to take risks and explore new musical landscapes.
Fans and critics alike are excited to see how this Grammy journey unfolds for André 3000, who has already left an indelible mark on both hip-hop and now the alternative music scene.
