Recently, Billboard named OutKast hip-hop’s best group of all time, with André 3000 being one-half of that iconic duo. When news spread this year that André 3000 would release his highly anticipated solo album, online conversations erupted, speculating about its sound. Anticipated to be eclectic and genre-bending, the album surpassed expectations. Instead of traditional bars and beats confined to a non-conventional 16-bar format, we received literal ‘fresh air’—music that seems to find its place in massage therapy offices, accompanied by a Lo-Fi inspired playlist and captivating animations.

André 3000’s debut solo album, marked by a lack of traditional lyrics, speaks volumes in a time when people are eager to express opinions on everything. As 2023 winds down, 3000 delivered mood music, a fitting accompaniment to a year where many find themselves on edge. His decision to forgo lyrics and share his current state of being sparks conversations both online and in-person. It’s remarkable that at 50 years old, hip-hop meets zen, possibly birthing a new era of artistic licensing.

Questions arise. What does this mean for an artist? What does it mean to be a hip-hop artist or a hip-hop-head? The term used to signify a literal “outcast” from conventional society, a rebel. With hip-hop now mainstream, does it retain that essence? Once referred to as the CNN of the ‘inner city,’ now anchors on CNN give ‘shoutouts’ to their ‘peeps.’ Kids on Nick give ‘props’ to the ‘old school,’ deeming the year 2000 as ‘the old school.’ 90’s rap became a karaoke category, and sneakerheads are everywhere. While assimilation and cultural appropriation have long been mastered by the US, it’s intriguing that hip-hop is as mainstream as yoga today. Although neither can be truly packaged and sold, capitalism seems to have figured it out for both. Namasté fam!!! Sign me up for the next class with a hip-hop playlist!!! Wuuuuuu-Taaaaang!!!!

Being transparent, I believe New Blue Sun is a great album to close out the chaotic year that is 2023—a year where many return to in-person lifestyles while yearning for the remote life of ‘Crocs and Socks.’ This isn’t a review of the album; rather, it’s a review of our attempt to return to normal. The truth is, perhaps we shouldn’t. We should have learned to ‘go with the flow,’ yet here we are, back to butting heads. It’s reminiscent of André’s words in 1998 on “Return of the G” from OutKast’s Aquemini album, “…every time I try to get a peace of mind/ folks try to get a piece of mine/ so I gotta grab my piece,” and the cycle of trauma continues. However, it doesn’t have to. Being conscious of one’s breath is an early step in claiming one’s existence. I’m grateful André shared his preferred breathing exercises with us.

A zen proverb states, ‘before enlightenment I chopped wood, and after enlightenment, I chopped wood, only now I know why.’ Finding my ‘why’ led me to find my way.

“Diddly-diddly-diddly-do”, thanks Dré for playin’ ya flute. Have a happy holiday season, Family.

Namasté

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