Prospects of new music from OutKast are less likely than ever, according to André 3000.
The artist – who has recently been exploring the world of ambient jazz, as heard on his solo flute album 'New Blue Sun' – sat down for an interview with Rolling Stone recently, in which he explained that the possibility of any new music coming soon from his legendary hip-hop project with Big Boi are slim.
Speaking with Andre Gee in a profile published on 12th December, the rapper-turned-flautist said: “I’ll say maybe 10, 15 years ago, in my mind, I thought an OutKast album would happen. I don’t know the future, but I can say that we’re further away from it than we’ve ever been.”
He went on to say that the chances of him releasing rap music of any kind were increasingly unlikely as he continued to explore other avenues, like those of 'New Blue Sun'.
“It’s hard for me to make a rap, period, you know? And sometimes I’m in the belief of, ‘Let things be’”.
He continued: “[OutKast] was a great time in life, and our chemistry was at a certain place that was undeniable.
“It probably should not last forever. It’s not like a product. In the end, we did give a product, but what made that product was a certain time in both of our lives.
“It’s not like we’re Coca-Cola, where it’s this formula that you can always press a button and it’ll happen. I think the audience feels that way. But the audience never knows what it takes to make what they’re getting. I can’t blame them for that.”
Although, he said he doesn’t “blame the fans for wanting what they’ve known,” he remained firm that they should manage expectations. “If a person hasn’t given you a solo album in 17 years,” he said, “do you really think that was going to happen? I don’t know, maybe I just think differently. I know I wouldn’t be sitting around waiting.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that OutKast were suing the EDM duo ATLiens for trademark infringement of their 1996 second album of the same name.