Wait, was that André 3000? Atlanta legend keeps popping up around town
André 3000 never ceases to keep you guessing.
The Outkast rapper has surprised Atlanta fans with pop-up flute concerts around the city this week. On Sunday, he performed with a band on a basketball court in Old Fourth Ward, with a camera crew in attendance. He did the same thing Tuesday in a parking lot off Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta.
In true André 3000 fashion, both performances weren’t announced beforehand, giving many fans severe FOMO with concert clips that circulated online. His Outkast partner, Big Boi, attended Tuesday’s show, making for a rare public reunion. Big Boi posted a picture of them on Instagram with the caption, “Saxxx & Stacks.”
It marks Outkast’s first public sighting since they were announced as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees in April. They have yet to announce if they’ll reunite at the induction ceremony in November.
The reasoning for André 3000’s pop-up concerts is unclear. His reps haven’t returned The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s request for additional information.
But that hasn’t stopped Atlanta fans from speculating on where he might be next.
At his Tuesday concert, the artist did a brief interview with Atlanta streetwear pioneer Omar “Chilly-O” Mitchell, which went viral. André 3000 said he’s “hitting spots playing,” especially for those who couldn’t catch his “New Blue Sun” shows last year.
“What’s going on is (we’re) bringing music, this free-form music we’ve been doing, to places that don’t normally get it,” the rapper, who turned 50 last month, said in the video. “A lot of people didn’t get a chance to come see concerts, didn’t get a chance to see us at the Fox (Theatre) … so we’re bringing it to the streets.”
In May, André 3000 released a surprise piano EP (titled “7 Piano Sketches”) before making a rare red carpet appearance at the Met Gala, wearing a piano on his back.
Although the artist loves to remain a mystery, his penchant for keeping fans on their toes never seems to get old, especially for the hometown admirers who’ll be there waiting for whatever he does next.
About the Author
DeAsia is a music and culture reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She focuses on the intersection of arts, culture and diverse communities, as well as how emerging social trends are being expressed through the lens of the Atlanta aesthetic. DeAsia's work can be seen in Pitchfork, Essence, Teen Vogue, Elle and more.
