André 3000 is embarking on a North American headlining tour this fall, bringing his unique flute performances to fans across the continent. Following the release of his acclaimed solo album, New Blue Sun, the 49-year-old former Outkast rapper will kick off the tour on September 19 and wrap up on November 14.
The tour will include stops in major cities such as New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Brooklyn, where audiences can experience the melodic sounds of André 3000’s flute accompanied by his band.
Since dropping New Blue Sun on November 17, 2023, André 3000, whose real name is André Lauren Benjamin, has previewed his experimental flute music at events like the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Roots Picnic, and intimate shows at New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club earlier this year.
Reflecting on his unexpected transition to woodwind music, André 3000 explained in a recent interview that his creative journey wasn’t driven by any profound reasons but rather by the organic flow of artistic inspiration. Despite fans’ longstanding anticipation for a solo rap project, André’s focus has shifted towards exploring new musical avenues that resonate with him at this stage of his career.
Discussing New Blue Sun on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert earlier this year, André 3000 described the experience of sharing his album with the world as both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. He emphasized that the album, marked with a “no bars” label, deliberately diverges from his earlier rap-centric work, aiming to offer listeners a fresh perspective on his evolving artistic expression.
André 3000’s upcoming tour promises to be a celebration of musical innovation and a testament to his enduring creative spirit, inviting audiences to join him on a journey through the captivating melodies of New Blue Sun.
