Andre 3000 made one of the boldest artistic statements of the 2025 Met Gala—not just through fashion, but through music. The Outkast icon turned heads by arriving with a piano strapped to his back, using the high-profile event to debut a deeply personal new project: a collection of “piano sketches.”
Following the gala, Andre took to Instagram to offer insight into the raw and improvisational nature of the pieces.
“These piano sketches are improvisations,” he wrote. “To conjure them up, I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly but with purpose move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting. If it feels really good I will try to repeat it.”
A Tribute to His Musical Heroes
Andre cited a diverse group of musical legends as influences for this experimental collection, including Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Philip Glass, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, and Vince Guaraldi. Despite the experimental nature of the project, the sketches were never intended for a commercial release.
“These piano pieces weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public,” he explained. Most of the tracks were recorded casually on his iPhone, long before the release of his 2023 Grammy-nominated jazz album, New Blue Sun.
The Best Worst Rap Album in History?
In true Andre fashion, the project came with a touch of humor and vulnerability. He shared that he once considered naming the collection:
“The Best Worst Rap Album In History.”
“It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all,” he said. “It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
This candid explanation reveals Andre’s continued evolution as an artist—unbothered by commercial expectations and more focused on emotional authenticity.
What’s Next for Andre 3000?
Andre 3000’s creative streak shows no signs of slowing down. His debut solo album New Blue Sun earned multiple 2025 Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. Now, fans can look forward to another major milestone: Outkast’s upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year.
Whether he’s pushing sonic boundaries or redefining Met Gala fashion, Andre 3000 continues to prove that true artistry has no limits.
