Yesterday (May 5), André 3000 surprise-dropped a new EP titled 7 piano sketches via Epic Records, a collection of improvisational piano pieces recorded a decade before his recent Grammy-nominated debut solo album New Blue Sun.
In an Instagram post, he wrote a caption that began with a warning, one we've been familiar with since the New Blue Sun era: “warning: no bars." Although there’s indeed no rapping, each track features an introduction of the number and title of the song – some voiced by André, some by Fatima Robinson, and others by both of them harmonizing. 3 Stacks gives more insight behind the release:
“These piano sketches are improvisations. To conjure them up, I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly but with purpose move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting. If it feels really good I will try to repeat it. I cannot name which notes, keys or chords that I’m playing. I simply like the sound and mechanics of piano playing.”
He names some of his “favorite piano music composers and players that inspire me are Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Philip Glass, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell and Vince Guaraldi.”
André apologizes for the sound quality of the new tracks – except “Blueberries” which was recorded in studio – as “they were all recorded with my iPhone sitting directly on the piano or my laptop microphone” and “weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public. They were personal, at home recordings. I would sometimes text them to my family and friends.”
The Outkast-er reveals the original title for the 7-track compilation was The Best Worst Rap Album In History. He shared an excerpt from the original liner notes which explains the reason behind the unusual title:
“It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all. It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
André was spotted at the Met Gala 2025 in an outfit such as the one in the EP’s front cover, carrying a lightweight replica of a medium grand piano as a backpack. Or a full working one, if he has indomitable back strength.
André recently lost his journal in Amsterdam and has put up missing flyers all over the city in hopes of getting it back.
7 piano sketches out now. Listen here. Tracklist below:
- bluffing in the snow
- and then one day you'll ...
- when you're a ant and you wake up in an awesome mood, about to drive your son to school, only to discover that you left the lights on in the car last night so your battery is drained
- hotel lobby pianos
- blueberry mansions
- off rhythm laughter
- i spend all day waiting for the night
What do you think?
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