André 3000 has surprise released a new album.
The instrumental project is titled '7 Piano Sketches' and, as its name suggests, features seven piano-led tracks recorded solo by the Outkast rapper and singer. In a statement posted to Instagram, he said:
"These piano sketches are improvisations. To conjure them up, I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly but with purpose move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting. If it feels really good I will try to repeat it. I cannot name which notes, keys or chords that I’m playing. I simply like the sound and mechanics of piano playing. Some of my favorite piano music composers and players that inspire me are Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Philip Glass, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell and Vince Guaraldi.
"These piano pieces weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public. They were personal, at home recordings. I would sometimes text them to my family and friends.
"Pardon the sound quality, they were all recorded with my iPhone sitting directly on the piano or my laptop microphone with the exception of ‘Blueberries’. (recorded in studio)
"Most of these were recorded in Texas. The house my son and I were renting had no furniture at all. Only a piano, our beds and tv screens.
"This collection of songs was recorded almost a decade before 'New Blue Sun'. The original title for it was ‘The Best Worst Rap Album In History’ and here is an excerpt from the original liner notes.
"It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all. It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
It follows the nine-time Grammy-winning artist's 2023 LP 'New Blue Sun', a collection of minimalist, experimental songs performed with wind instruments.
Last week, it was announced that Outkast will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Cyndi Lauper, White Stripes, Chubby Checker, Warren Zevon and more. Head here for more details.
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