André 3000 Reflects on “Life of the Party” Verse and the Drake Leak

André 3000 recently opened up about his controversial verse on Kanye West’s Life of the Party, discussing his initial desire to have it removed from the track and his reaction to it being leaked by Drake. Speaking with The New York Times’ Popcast, the OutKast legend shared insights into his collaboration with Kanye and the circumstances surrounding the song’s release.

The Censorship Controversy

When Kanye West reached out to André 3000 to contribute to his Donda album, the two agreed on a concept that would honor Kanye’s late mother, Donda West. However, when André 3000 recorded his verse, Kanye was in a period where he was striving for a clean album with no explicit language. This presented a challenge for André, who had written his verse with a raw, unfiltered approach.

“Kanye was at a point in his life where he didn’t want any curse words on the album, and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m cool with it, man. I’m totally fine with no curse words. But take me off the song,’” André recalled. He understood Kanye’s decision but felt that his verse, which was composed in a certain way, wouldn’t be as impactful with edits.

André suggested that Kanye release both the edited and original versions of the song, but Kanye refused, explaining that he had promised his daughter not to include curse words on the album. Respecting Kanye’s vision, André agreed to remove himself from the song entirely if the original version couldn’t be used.

The Drake Leak

Before Life of the Party could officially appear on Donda, the track was leaked by Drake during his ongoing feud with Kanye. André admitted that he had no idea how Drake had gotten ahold of the song, but he expressed no ill will about the leak. In fact, he was thankful that the song saw the light of day.

“I was like, ‘Woah!’ I actually don’t understand why he did it, but I kind of have to thank Drake for letting that song see the light of day,” he said. The leak became a talking point for fans, especially given the song’s emotional and poignant lyrics. It was also notable for Kanye’s subtle diss of Drake, which André was aware of before the song’s release.

The Diss and André’s Take

The track’s final version included a controversial jab at Drake, which some fans felt was inappropriate for the tone of the song. André clarified that he had heard the diss before the song’s official release and had a conversation with Kanye about it. He voiced his concerns, telling Kanye that putting a diss in a song like Life of the Party felt out of place, comparing it to “going and shooting up your mom’s funeral.”

Despite his reservations, André accepted the situation and was more focused on the larger picture—the tribute to both Kanye and his own mother. His emotional verse, referencing his personal loss, was the heart of the song, and he was content with the artistic expression it represented.

Reflecting on the Song’s Legacy

André 3000 later wrote a statement explaining how the song came about. He acknowledged that while the clean version of the song was a beautiful concept, it didn’t do justice to the rawness of his original verse. He expressed his disappointment that the song was released in a way that didn’t align with his vision, especially given the tension between Kanye and Drake at the time.

Nevertheless, André remains hopeful about future collaborations. He expressed his admiration for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Tyler The Creator, and JAY-Z, mentioning that he would love to work with them in the future. He also reflected on the broader cultural context, stating that while the song’s release didn’t go as planned, it was a beautiful tribute to his own mother and to Kanye’s.

The saga of Life of the Party highlights not only the intricacies of the music industry but also the personal struggles and decisions that artists face when it comes to sharing their creative work. While the verse’s leak and Kanye’s clean album vision created tension, it also led to an important conversation about artistic integrity, collaboration, and the unexpected paths music can take.

For André 3000, the leak was a blessing in disguise, allowing his heartfelt verse to be heard by the world. As he continues to reflect on his career and personal losses, his desire to collaborate with artists who inspire him demonstrates that, despite the drama, he remains focused on the artistry and the connections that drive him.