September 23, 2024
Andre 3000, who gained fame as a member of the iconic hip-hop group Outkast, recently visited the Butler School of Music to engage with flute students about his latest album, New Blue Sun, and his unexpected passion for the flute. For someone of his stature, one might assume that transitioning to flute playing would come easily, but it proved to be a challenging journey.
While traveling, Andre often enjoyed strolling through pawn shops, where he discovered his first flute. Captivated by the instrument, he began collecting flutes and now has around 70.
Andre 3000 and Assistant Professor of Flute Ebonee Thomas laugh about how hard circular breathing is
His motivation to record flute music was sparked by moments shared on Instagram. While playing during walks, others would capture him in action, leading him to remark, “I wish they had recorded me when I was killing it,” rather than just practicing. Despite his remarkable talent, Andre felt hesitant about recording because he lacked formal music education and the foundational theory that traditional flutists typically possess. Still, his passion for the flute intensified; he often sought out student recitals in New York, attending these performances to develop a more classical ear.
Andre 3000 talks with a student about dealing with performance anxiety
A chance encounter at a supermarket ultimately encouraged him to pursue the flute professionally. In line, a stranger said, “Hey, I’ve heard you play the flute,” inviting him to perform that night at a local venue. This person was the drummer with whom Andre still collaborates. However, that evening was anything but perfect; despite his superstar status from 30 years of sold-out shows, he felt too anxious to perform. A harpist, unaware of who he was, spotted his flute and called him onstage, but he declined due to intimidation. After the performance, the drummer invited him to play in his garage, marking the first time Andre played the flute with others, igniting his passion and leading to an album and tour.
Andre 3000 plays the flute for students
Andre spoke to the students about how their shortcomings shape who they are. He expressed a wish that he had attended music school, acknowledging that it takes him much longer to reach his musical goals compared to those with formal education. However, he also emphasized that this uniqueness is something everyone should embrace.
Andre 3000 listens to a student talk about music theory
Andre spent over an hour with the flute students, many of whom had seen him perform at the Moody Center the previous night. What began as a question-and-answer session quickly transformed into a vibrant exchange of ideas, with Andre connecting with most students on a first-name basis. The discussion was anything but a group of fans geeking out with a superstar, but rather a group of like-minded people who all came together due to a love of the flute. Andre’s roots in hip-hop only came up once and that was when a student asked about the difference in stage fright between rap and classical music. Andre 3000 said that classical music is much worse. He said he could play a concert in Outkast "while thinking about what to eat that night", whereas with classical music he said, “you have to be present 100 percent of the time”.