The Return of André 3000 - Debuts Solo Album “Blue Moon Sun”
Outkast’s 2004 release of “Speakerbox/Love Below” was one of the first cds I remember buying with my own money when I was in 4th grade upon its release. A double cd in hip-hop wasn’t heard of it at the time either, or at least to me. I didn’t have to sneak, or hide it like I did with Eminem, or any of the gangsta rap I was into at the time. Though it was the non “PA” version of the album, I was still allowed to purchase it at Wal-Mart for a field trip and was totally blown away at the more straight forward raps as well as the abstract human expression side of it. It was a perfect album I remember thinking. With this duo being from the South, like me, I felt a bit more connected than I did with some of the other coasts at the time, though I now prefer the East if I had to choose. I’ve always admired André intellect and poetic physique. Over the years I’ve gone back over Outkast’s rich catalog searching for melodies, phrases and moments that would help me feel better about life as I get older. I can see why they were deemed a threat and even booed for genuinely being too influential at the time. They were southern pioneers whom carefully crafted their art with historic accuracy and ritualistic professionalism. And now 20 years later, 3000 has released his groundbreaking solo album entitled “Blue Moon Sun”.
With tracks such as: “BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears A 3000™ Button Down Embroidered”, “Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Your Lord & Savior J.C. / Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, And John Wayne Gacy” and “Dreams Once Buried Beneath The Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout Into Undying Gardens”, the album explores this atmospheric meditation on freedom, adolescence, innocence and a consistence creative state. From the likes of Coltrane and early Miles Davis, “Blue Moon Sun” is a holy practice for André and his humble listeners. An all day church celebration for the mind, body and soul, but most importantly, this is not a “rap album”.
