André 3000's sees his instrumental project New Blue Sun as more than just a "flute album."
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 49-year-old explained why he thinks the label is reductive.
"The media has touted it as this flute album and I think it’s a misrepresentation of the album. It’s way more than a flute album," he said. "They belittle it by calling it a flute album because there are actual flutists that have made flute albums, like Jethro Tull and Paul Horn."
He continued, "I think it could be a turnoff to some people if they think, ‘Yo, he’s just in a room playing this flute.'"
Although the former OutKast member prominently plays the flute on the 8-song LP, New Blue Sun includes a full band, like percussionist Carlos Niño, guitarist Nate Mercereau, and keyboardist Surya Botofasina.
Elsewhere in the piece, 3000 detailed that he was already playing flute when he was asked to contribute material to the Everything Everywhere All at Once soundtrack, in addition to playing the instrument while filming the 2022 film Showing Up.
New Blue Sun is up for three Grammys in the categories of Album of the Year, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Instrumental Composition.
Although having some interest in rapping again, and being a featured artist on songs from Killer Mike and Frank Ocean, 3000 has frequently spoken about his decision not to release another rap album.
"As a person who has contributed to rap for so long, of course I’d love to make a rap album," Andre added. "The further I am away from it, the lesser the reality it is for me. I’ve gotten beats from other producers, I tried to do what I’ve always done, produce my own music, but I didn’t like it enough to present it."
He continued, "I’m happy that it went this way. I would like to do a more vocal rap situation and, hopefully, that’ll come. I love rap music, it’s not a thing that I’ve turned my back on. I do feel like, at this age, I appreciate it in a different way. I really appreciate listening to what the kids are coming up with in rap, because it’s such a visceral form of music. I enjoy it when it’s coming from a very fresh place."