André Walked So Kendrick Could Run

Kendrick Lamar is often regarded as our generation’s greatest rapper and lyricist. There is no doubt that he is. Hell, he is even in the conversation for the best lyricist of all time. There is something about his rhymes that are just so impressive; the way his rhymes just flow is second to none. It’s no wonder why he has a Pulitzer Prize. But before there was Kendrick, another lyricist changed the game the same as Kendrick. A lyricist whose influence is often overlooked and undervalued. Even though they come from different hip hop subgenres, Kendrick is the best comparison to him. That lyricist is André 3000. Now, I know Outkast is a duo; it’s André and Big Boi. This is absolutely no shot at Big Boi because he is incredible and part of the innovation that is Outkast. One of my favorite Outkast songs is the Big Boi led “Church.” But André is on another planet than Big Boi. André is far and away the GOAT.

Outkast will forever be remembered for dance hits like “Roses” or “Hey Ya!” and their number one hit, “Ms. Jackson.” Still, there is so much more to Outkast that goes unrecognized. Just listened to the lyrics of “Hey Ya!.” It is a beautiful example of André’s writing ability. The song is his statement on relationships and how people will continue to stay in relationships, they are unhappy in because of tradition and time. Ultimately, it is a commentary on how we would rather stay in an unhappy relationship than be alone. You miss that in the club. There is also so much more to Outkast than those three songs. In fact, those are some of my least favorite Outkast songs because of how basic they have become. André is a unique talent that will not get the credit he deserves because it was the time of East vs. West, New York vs. LA, and Biggie vs. Tupac.

There is so much storytelling in the songs that André writes. One of my favorite songs ever is “Gasoline Dreams.” The best part of “Gasoline Dreams” is that there can be many different interpretations of the song. What it means to me may not be what it means to you, which is different from what it means to them. A Genius annotator writes, ‘”Gasoline Dreams’ describes the corrupted problems of modern life, including drugs, racism, pollution, and immorality.” But it promises an apocalyptic solution: the end of the world and the judgment of mankind by God.” Again, similar to “Hey Ya!,” it is a social commentary on America’s problems. It definitely is a statement on racism that black people face in this country, with lyrics like, “My cousin Ricky Walker got ten years doing Fed time, On A first offense drug bust – fuck the ho-lice!” And it may not be right for me, as a white kid from suburban Illinois, to try and provide meaning to this song. But again, that’s the neat thing! I can take away what it means to me. To me, it’s also a song about how we have lost ourselves. This song got me through hard times. It’s a song that overall describes the state of youth in America and how we are setting fire to our dreams. The line that hit me the hardest is, “The world is moving fast and I’m losing my balance.” We don’t know where the world is headed, but it is headed in the wrong direction, which resonates so strongly today. We have lost sight of the crucial things in life. In fact, this song could easily describe us destroying the Earth, pollution and climate change.

Besides his writing, his influence is all over current hip hop. Think of Kid Cudi and how he uses alternative beats in his music. Think of the emo rap of Juice WRLD or XXXtentacion. André was the first one to really do that. To use “Gasoline Dreams” again, use the alternative guitar to make the beat. On “Hey Ya!,” they use a pop-y dance beat and put sad, emo-like lyrics over it. In fact, Outkast mixed many different genres of music, including soul, alternative, hip hop, and trip-hop, a genre that is a “fusion of electronica and hip hop” with an “atmospheric sound.” That is precisely how one would describe Kid Cudi’s sound. So, their imprint on hip hop is enormous, affecting much of this generation’s rap and hip hop.

“Three Stacks” is the best writer and lyricist to ever do it, but there is one other thing that makes him the GOAT. Again, this is where the Kendrick comparison is fitting; it is something that Kendrick learned and is evident on his new album. André knew he didn’t want to be the GOAT; he knew what he wanted. He didn’t have to prove anything. That’s why he never really had a solo career because he knew it would never be measured in isolation. His work would always be compared to what he did in Outkast. I think that is why he is often overlooked and goes unrecognized. But as I said, he does not care. He feels he has nothing to prove to you and me, which should inspire us all. He won’t read this post and thank me because it does not matter what I think of him. The only thing that matters to him is what he thinks of himself. Kendrick learned the same thing on “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers.” He chased GOAT status for so long, but he finally realized, “Fuck it.” It’s evident on “Savior” that he finally recognizes he doesn’t have anything to prove. Instead, he could have taken a note from André and learned that years ago.

Just because André didn’t pursue a solo career doesn’t mean he gave up on music. Instead, he gave us some of the best guest verses ever! Who’d think it? The GOAT doing GOAT things. His verse on “Life of the Party” by Kanye West is equally incredible and heartbreaking at the same time. And my fav guest verse of all time is his verse On “Solo (Reprise).” Again, it’s another social commentary about the state of hip hop. He talks about ghostwriting and feeling “solo” in his thoughts on the industry. It is one of the best verses of all time. He puts Kendrick to shame with how his rhymes flow throughout the song’s entire 1 minute and 20 seconds. It is so catchy! I love it!

Although André 3000 is, in my opinion, the best rapper to ever do it, we shouldn’t forget about Big Boi. André could not have become what he is today without Big Boi. Outkast needed both of them! And they are the best duo to ever bless hip hop, although 21 and Drake are up there too, in a far second. But Kendrick Lamar is the closest comparison to André in today’s hip hop. They grace us with such beautiful flows and the ability to tell a story. André 3000 walked so Kendrick could run.

Peep André and his flute.

Also, check out André in “Four Brothers.” It is one of my favorite movies of all time!