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Besides being a wordsmith to the nth degree, Andre's gift is his wandering creative spirit, finding muses in unanticipated places.
In his early career, it took him from a dope, but conventional rapper to someone who fiercely innovated and harnessed his artistic voice and rode it to great creative and commercial heights.
In his post-OutKast career, has shown a tremendous level of artistic integrity and loyalty to that wandering spirit. That spirit led him to reinvent himself multiple times over his OutKast career, and it's pointed him to redirect his career into jazz.
In a time when rappers and, really, all musicians who are making 'popular music,' are more beholden to growing brands and using their musical gifts as gateways into generational wealth (not a bad thing), Andre's decision to put out this album, knowing it would throw everyone for a loop, is a stand for 'art for art's sake' and art over commerce and clout.
The unconventional and head-scratching nature of the decision to release this project is the same thing that led him to wear those crocheted sweaters and turbans back in the day.
Yes, in those days, we got some great music from that nature that pushed the art form forward and made him an unlikely everyman. And in this case, we got some interesting music, but nothing mindblowing.
I, too, was disappointed to hear this album wouldn't have any rhymes. And to be honest, I haven't listened to all of this yet, although I've liked what I've heard so far.
But I think he's just someone whose creative energies can't be contained in a neat, easily anticipated way. Maybe this is his Kingdom Come before he comes back with American Gangster down the line. I hope so, but even if it isn't, he's a legend and a true artist in an era when marketability is more important than being an iconoclast.
<--- Me when my head hits the pillow
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