André 3000 lately revealed a stunning element about his long-awaited debut solo album, New Blue Solar. Regardless of its important acclaim and a nomination for Album of the 12 months on the 2025 Grammys, the mission doesn’t rely towards fulfilling his contract with Epic Data. In an interview with journalist Touré, the OutKast icon shared his preliminary confusion and eventual understanding of this contractual stipulation.
“They congratulated me on the method, they congratulated me on what the work was, however contractually, it’s very fascinating. My label won’t rely this album in opposition to my contract — that is as a solo artist,” André stated, referencing his unconventional flute-based mission.
After consulting his lawyer, André realized that the stipulation dates again to the Nineteen Seventies, when some artists tried to meet their report offers by submitting low-effort or unconventional materials. Labels countered this by requiring new works to align with the artist’s earlier output.
“I didn’t perceive it at first and we tried to seek out methods round it,” he admitted. “However my legal professional defined it on this means: it was invented within the ’70s perhaps, when artists had been attempting to get out of their offers so that they had been simply just about handing over something. It says, ‘The following recording must be 90 p.c just like the recording earlier than it.’”
He added, “It stops you from handing over 10 tracks of handclaps and saying, ‘That is my album.’ And I get it! However Sylvia [Rhone] and the crew have been so supportive. They know I’m not handing over a handclap album — they get it. However as a enterprise, that is the stance they took.”
Regardless of the setback, André isn’t dashing to depart Epic Data. He stays centered on creating music and has confirmed that he’s already engaged on one other album. Whereas maintaining particulars underneath wraps, he shared that the brand new mission is effectively underway.
“Oh, for certain,” he stated when requested a couple of follow-up to New Blue Solar. “At this level, I’m simply attempting to maintain the momentum. There’s such a factor as inventive momentum. The following stuff could be very fascinating, too. We’re virtually a 3rd — or midway — into it.” Nevertheless, he famous there’s no set launch date. “I don’t know when it is going to be prepared. Who is aware of.”
For now, followers can proceed to have a good time André 3000’s newest inventive evolution whereas eagerly awaiting the following chapter in his legendary profession.
