💵 💵 💵 my truths about Andre 3000
hip hop's new daily operation | 5.27.20
TheMotto No. 24. Happy birthday to Andre 3000 the Elusive One. One of the greatest to ever pick up a mic, Mr. Benjamin is on my list of artists I’ve yet to interview. I actually thought I’d pull it off last year. In town with Jesse K to tape a CRWN with 2 Chainz, I ran into Dre at the Living Room bar in Atlanta’s W Midtown. We exchanged a few texts after that, and soon I had an announcement tweet inscribed in my brain. Interviews of the Year: 2017 Rap Radar Podcast Jay-Z. 2018 Rap Radar Podcast Will Smith. 2019 Rap Radar Podcast Andr… But then that damn Rick Rubin came through and crushed me.
Without question, Brian and I were inspired by the miss — and timing is everything. Soon we were on a flight to Toronto and sitting with Aubrey Drake Graham in his castle. I’ve chopped it up with the iconic Big Boi many a time — whether for XXL in the 2000s, for the Rap Radar Podcast, Car Test, or the night before Super Bowl LIII at one of his 44th birthday parties. But a 3000 sit-down for the culture is still needed. It’s unbelievable to me that despite the extensive accolades, OutKast is still criminally underrated. Maybe it’s because a rap duo or group is a lost art in today’s world. Bonsu Thompson wrote the below cover story (where is it, Bon?!)
But check the CV: 1994’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, 1996’s ATLiens, 1998’s Aquemini (which has been called the “blueprint of the Southern black renaissance”), 2000’s Stankonia, and the Grammy-winning multiplatinum 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Bon and I heard SB/LB the album in a car with Andre driving through ATL. He wanted us to hear it, and talked us through it, Car Test style. He and Erykah Badu’s son Seven was there too, eating waffle fries. The kid was like five years old, scaring the shit out of us with his hyper-intelligent, adult eyes.
Bow down to five undisputed classics — in a row. The greatest consecutive run in hip-hop history. OutKast’s jerseys are in the rafters. Y’all yearn for a 3000 solo album? I just want to talk to the man. Stacks definitely still got somethin’ to say.
top billin’:
a whole mood ⤵️
projected: Gunna’s Wunna will be No. 1. We’ll know for sure in a few days — until then, enjoy the space-age Matrix-y vibes of his new visual ⏬
producer Hit Boy with the platinum plaque for Nipsey Hussle’s 2019 “Racks In The Middle.” Well deserved.
Eminem engaged with fans today in a live chat. His dream collaboration? He wants to holla at 3 Stacks too! His favorite album right now? Young M.A’s new Red Flu (M.A Music/3D)
allow me to re introduce myself:
according to Robin Thicke, who was launched as a recording artist by the late great Andre Harrell, the below is the last song approved by Harrell before he died. “Forever Mine” is that chill moment we can all use right now 🔽
what more can I say:
There’s much grief in the air today. All of us out here angry and queasy about the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis law enforcement. The below came to our attention via the IG feed of the great Tasha Smith, which led us to the feed of Wood Harris, where a commenter identifying as @twanmack24 states the young man in the viral clip below is Sedan Smith. He’s speaking out during protests sparked by the 2016 killing of his brother Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer ⬇️ Still relevant.
I’m living to see the day where people of color are treated fairly. And police wouldn’t dare disrespect us, let alone take our lives while we beg for breath. How fuckin’ resilient must we be? Sending strength and love to all the families directly affected, and to all of us.
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