Grammy winner Pharrell Williams expects a dramatic return to hip-hop from Andre 3000, who recently shifted focus to experimental jazz.
“He’s going to be back. That feeling finds you—you can’t run from it,” Williams told GQ while promoting his biopic “Piece by Piece.” “When he does, he’s going to come in hot.”
Andre 3000, who revolutionized Southern hip-hop with OutKast in the 1990s, helped establish Atlanta as a musical powerhouse through groundbreaking albums like “ATLiens” and “Aquemini.” His innovative rhyme patterns and eccentric style influenced a generation of artists, while hits like “Hey Ya!” and “Ms. Jackson” achieved mainstream success without compromising artistic integrity.
The artistic shift mirrors other notable genre experiments: Kanye West explored electronic and industrial sounds on “808s & Heartbreak” before returning to rap, Donald Glover released funk-soul album “Awaken, My Love!” between hip-hop projects, and Tyler, The Creator ventured into neo-soul before returning with rap album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”
The OutKast rapper released his first solo album “New Blue Sun” in November, featuring instrumental flute compositions rather than rap verses. Williams defended Andre’s artistic exploration against critics demanding hip-hop content.
“People got all this judgment and they don’t understand,” Williams said. “He’s not running; he just saying he not going to force it. What you love about him was when he was compelled.”
The artists share history as innovators, with both inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019. They previously collaborated on N.E.R.D’s “Rollinem 7’s,” featuring Andre’s acclaimed guest verse.
Williams, as part of production duo The Neptunes, helped shape hip-hop’s sound through hits with Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Clipse. Andre 3000, born Andre Benjamin, earned six Grammys with OutKast partner Big Boi between 1995 and 2007, while albums like “Stankonia” and “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” redefined hip-hop’s boundaries through genre-bending experimentation.
Andre’s jazz evolution follows OutKast’s last album “Idlewild” in 2006. The group briefly reunited for festival performances in 2014.
Williams emphasized patience toward Andre’s creative journey while expressing confidence in an eventual return to rap.
