André 3000 has once again defied expectations, quietly releasing his first solo EP, 7 Piano Sketches, much to the surprise — and perhaps disappointment — of fans hoping for a return to his rapping roots. The genre-bending artist, known as one-half of the iconic duo OutKast, delivered the project with little fanfare, opting instead for a deeply personal and introspective musical statement that, once again, features zero rapping.
Originally recorded nearly a decade ago, 7 Piano Sketches offers a raw and experimental collection of improvisational piano pieces that highlight André’s evolving creative journey. The announcement came via a heartfelt Instagram post where he explained both the origin and intention behind the release.
“Warning: no bars,” he wrote candidly. “These piano sketches are improvisations. 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.”
André admitted that he has no formal training in piano and can’t name the chords he’s playing — he simply follows the sound. Citing influences such as Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Philip Glass, Joni Mitchell, and Vince Guaraldi, he positions 7 Piano Sketches as a homage to sonic freedom rather than traditional structure.
A Decade-Old Secret
The tracks, mostly recorded on an iPhone or laptop microphone, were never originally meant for public consumption. André revealed that the recordings were made in a sparsely furnished house in Texas he once shared with his son — a space that held only beds, screens, and a piano. One track, “Blueberries,” is the lone professionally recorded piece, laid down in a studio.
“These pieces were personal, at-home recordings,” André explained. “I would sometimes text them to my family and friends.” Despite their humble origins, the tracks now see an official release, marking the artist’s second consecutive non-rap project following 2023’s New Blue Sun.
Interestingly, the EP’s original working title was The Best Worst Rap Album in History, a tongue-in-cheek nod to fan expectations and his own artistic liberation. “It’s the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all,” he wrote. “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.”
A Met Gala Moment with a Piano
Never one to shy away from eccentric statements, André 3000 brought attention to the EP in true André fashion — by turning up at the 2025 Met Gala carrying a miniature piano on his back. The surreal visual instantly went viral, sparking speculation about new music and once again proving that André knows how to use fashion and performance to fuel intrigue.
No Rhymes, Just Resonance
Though many fans still yearn for André 3000 to return to spitting bars, 7 Piano Sketches shows that his creativity refuses to be boxed in. The project won’t satisfy those hoping for an OutKast reunion or a return to traditional Hip Hop — but for listeners willing to embrace his offbeat artistry, it’s another glimpse into the mind of a musician charting his own path.
Whether he’s rapping, playing flutes on the streets, or improvising piano pieces in solitude, André 3000 remains one of music’s most unpredictable and authentic voices. And for now, that voice is speaking through keys, not lyrics.
