In a recent interview with GQ Magazine, renowned rapper André 3000 opened up about his feelings regarding his music career at this stage of his life. The 48-year-old artist, known for his work with Outkast, shared that he sometimes struggles with feeling inauthentic when rapping due to his age.
André 3000, whose real name is André Benjamin, stated, “It’s more like an activity that I do. It’s not just full time on my mind. It can feel like a big pressure sometimes. Right now, I kind of like not being a part of it. I’m not on the radio. I’m not trying to get a show. I’m not speaking out. I’m just doing what I’m doing.”
The rapper further expressed his thoughts on the changing landscape of hip-hop, saying, “Rap is a young person’s genre. Sometimes I’m like, how am I gonna make sense of that? I can’t say I don’t have a desire to express myself in that way—but to do it the way that I did, I don’t know if I can. I realized that in the early 2000s. Like, ‘Oh no, I’m just not at these certain ages. I’m not present in these people’s lives.'”
Despite his reservations about rapping at his age, André 3000 continues to delve into other creative ventures, including acting and fashion. He recently appeared in the sci-fi film “Dispatches From Elsewhere” and has been active in the fashion industry with his clothing line, Benjamin Bixby.
Fans of André 3000 can still look forward to his artistic contributions in other mediums, but it appears that the rapper may be stepping back from the rap scene for the time being. Despite feeling inauthentic at times, his impact on the music industry is undeniable, and his legacy continues to inspire both aspiring and established artists.