Everyone misses Andre 3000, and its been over eight years since he's been a major presence in the music scene. And, over that time he has become one of the most reclusive figures in pop culture, let alone hip-hop. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Mr. Andre Benjamin sat down to talk about his upcoming role as Jimi Hendrix, the reasoning for his extended hiatus, and a possible comeback. His reluctant return to the spotlight has been tumultuous to say the least. With the loss of both his parents in the past year, followed by early tour appearances that drew criticism and concern, as well as his battles with self-doubt and his continuing attempts to redefine himself as an artist. All Andre had to say was, "You do the world a better service by sticking to your guns." Speaking on his upcoming role in the Jimi Hendrix film, what he is trying to convey and his reluctance to accept the role: "I thought, 'What would Hendrix want people to know that's not on YouTube?' He's a God, he's an idol, but he did that on stage. He was totally the opposite in real life.....I may have said it to John (Ridley the films writer and director).'Man, I'm old. I have gray hair. Get some young unknown kid to play Hendrix.' I turned it down. They kept at it. I actually asked my son (Seven). He said, 'Yeah, man.' Honestly, I nedded it in my life, too. Hendrix kind of saved me. I was in a not-so-great space, just in a dark place every day. I needed something to focus on to get me out of my depression and rut. Sometimes, when you're alone, you can let yourself go. I knew if i got on a train with a lot of people, than i couldn't let them down." 3 Stacks has always been very vocal in the past about not wanting to become an old rapper, and apparently hes sticking to it. "I remember, at like 25, saying,'I don't want to be a forty year old rapper.' I'm thirty-nine now, and I'm still standing by that. I'm such a fan that I don't want to infiltrate it with old blood...I struggle with the verses. I don't sit around and write raps, I just don't. Now the only time I'm really inspired to write raps is if an artist that I enjoy invites me to their party. So if Future calls and says, 'Hey mad, I want you to do this,' I don't want to let Future down. I don't want to let Lil Wayne down or Drake down, because I love them." So, you would like that if Andre 3000 plans on hanging the mic up at forty, we should be blessed with an album with the next year right? Well 3 Stacks still isn't sure, but after a lackluster performance at Coachella, another major reclusive pop icon might just have saved the day. The ledgendary Prince was at the Coachelle concert, and after witnessing Mr. Benjamin's mediocre performance, he decided to give Andre call. "So Prince called a couple days after. It was my first time actually talking to Prince. He said: 'When you come back, people want to be wowed. And, what's the best way to wow people? Just give them the hits.' I'm explaining to him that I really didn't want to do it. He said: 'I've been there, I've tried to do other things. After you give them the hits, then you can do whatever.' He broke it down like this: 'You're a grown man, You're a grown man. You're either going to do it or you're not.'...I'd love to put out an album. I know this may soind morbid, but I was like, if I were to die today, I have all these half-songs on my hand drive, and I don't want that." Hopefully, Prince's words of wisdom struck home with the legendary MC. The world not only deserves a solo Andre 3000 album, but we need another body of work for the history book. Every time Andre 3000 spits a verse for the masses he literally jump starts the heart beat of our culture. To deprive us of a full body of work that would advance the world of art and music would be a travesty. Lets just pray the album comes sooner, rather than later.
P.S. We have a new music video from The Weekend, new mixtapes from Ace Hood and Problem, and new singles from T.I., Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, Kidd Kidd, Action Bronson, Emanny, Logic, Fat Joe, Emanny Lil Herb, and Uncle Murda.
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