Outkast may have been one of the most popular hp-hop groups of the ’90s and ’00s with a string of highly successful albums and singles, but the group haven’t really done much since 2006. Despite constant requests from fans for the duo to reunite permanently, André 3000 is pretty nonplussed when it comes to the topic of making any more music.
In a recent interview with Complex, the musician, who spends his time in the worlds of acting and fashion, the musician spoke about his current plans. But when it came to the topic of his music career, and specifically a full-time reunion for Outkast, the hopes of countless fans were soon dashed.
“As I get older,” André began. “I start to see myself move more back from it – the hustle and bustle of putting out an album, the pressure of being in the studio trying to come up with something. Now it’s more like a hobby for me, so I don’t think about it in that way. Even with Outkast – if we never do another album, I’m totally fine with that.
“When I was 25, I said I don’t want to be a 30-year-old rapper. I’m 42 now, and I feel more and more that way. Do I really want to be 50 years old up there doing that? When I watch other rappers that are my age I commend them, but I just wonder where the inspiration is coming from. At this stage I’m really more focused on what I am going to be doing 10 years from now. And I hope to God it won’t be rapping.”
Outkast’s last studio album was 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which was presented as a double album consisting of solo albums from André 3000 and Big Boi. 2006 saw the release of the Idlewild soundtrack, before the group split, planning to do some solo work before getting back together. While Big Boi has delivered a few solo albums, André 3000 has mainly stuck to serving as a guest rapper on numerous verses.
While Outkast did reunite briefly for a number of shows in 2014, including an awesome set at Splendour In The Grass, it looks as though the ship has all but sailed as far as André 3000 is concerned. While he’s previously stated his long-awaited solo album is still in the works, we’ll settle for anything at this point.
