Andre 3000 opens up to Rick Rubin, discussing his early days in OutKast, finding his voice, mental health challenges, struggles with writing new material, and his preference for performing at flea markets over sold-out arenas.
Andre 3000 drew inspiration from artists outside of the norm to develop his unique fashion sense.
Success can negatively impact creativity, and finding a comfortable space away from external expectations is crucial for artistic exploration.
Andre 3000's journey of self-discovery and acceptance highlights the significance of balancing self-judgment with maintaining an open mind.
Deep dives
Influences and the Evolution of Style
Andre 3000 discusses the various influences that shaped his unique fashion sense, including artists like George Clinton, Sly and the Family Stone, Prince, and even Grandmaster Flash. He explains how he wanted to look like he was from another planet and draw inspiration from acts that were doing something outside of the norm. His style evolved from stage costumes to his everyday look, and he embraced the idea of living out his artistic persona in his daily life.
The Impact of Success on Creativity
Andre 3000 shares his struggle with the negative impact of success on his creativity, how the pressure and judgment from fans affected his creative process. He discusses the importance of finding a comfortable place to create, away from expectations and external opinions. Andre emphasizes the need to break free from past successes and explore new creative depths, even if it means going against expectations and facing criticism.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
During the conversation, Andre 3000 opens up about his journey of self-discovery and acceptance. He talks about feeling isolated and being hard on himself, struggling with social anxiety disorder and hypersensitivity. Despite the challenges, he finds solace in music and sees both the blessing and curse of his sensitivity. Andre also discusses the importance of recognizing that criticism from others is often more about them than about oneself. He highlights the significance of finding a balance between self-judgment and maintaining an open mind.
Exploring New Musical Directions
Andre 3000 expresses his desire to continue exploring new musical directions and pushing the boundaries. He shares his passion for playing different instruments like the bass clarinet, using it as a form of meditation. Andre also discusses the importance of making music for personal enjoyment and finding joy in the process, rather than solely focusing on commercial success or meeting others' expectations. He reflects on the evolution of his style as a musician and emphasizes the significance of experimentation and embracing the unexpected.
The Influence of Other Artists
Andre 3000 acknowledges the influence of other artists on his creative journey. He credits acts like Outkast, Tribe Called Quest, Digital Underground, and Raging Against the Machine for their innovative approaches and energy, which inspired him to bring his own uniqueness and energy to his work. Andre also emphasizes the importance of listening to a wide range of genres outside of one's comfort zone, as it can inspire new perspectives and creativity.
Andre 3000 opens up to Rick Rubin in one of his most candid interviews ever. He talks about the early days of OutKast, how he first found his voice, how his mental health diagnosis has been both a blessing a curse, why it’s so hard for him to write new material, and why he would rather perform at flea markets these days than sold-out arenas.
