André 3000 expressed his disappointment over the Kendrick-Drake feud, saying it left him feeling somewhat sad. The OutKast icon, who ventured into instrumental jazz with his album ‘New Blue Sun’ last year, shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Crack. He reflected on how rap battles have evolved, noting that while early rap battles were simple contests between kids in the park, today’s conflicts involve livelihoods, empires, and companies, making them far more consequential. He questioned the value of such feuds for artists who have already achieved success.
André 3000 isn’t the only hip-hop icon to voice concerns about the Kendrick-Drake feud—Questlove likened it to a “wrestling match level mudslinging,” while Jay Electronica and Vince Staples have also shared their thoughts.
Last month, André reflected on the current generation of rappers, suggesting many “sound the same.” He reminisced about OutKast’s time with the Dungeon Family, led by the late Organized Noize legend Rico Wade, who passed away in April from heart failure. André believes that today’s artists lack the time to truly develop their unique voices, arguing that if OutKast had debuted when they initially felt ready, they would have sounded like everyone else and wouldn’t have lasted.
He further explained that while the immediacy of jumping on a microphone today is beneficial, it doesn’t allow artists to hone their identities. André also clarified his previous comments about feeling “inauthentic” returning to rapping, noting that while it’s important to rap as long as it’s within you, he prefers to explore new directions rather than rely on past styles.
André 3000 is set to perform two intimate shows at London’s Jazz Cafe on August 16, before appearing at All Points East the next day. These performances, titled ‘New Blue Sun Live In Concert,’ will showcase his latest jazz endeavours.
–Silviya.Y