August 19, 2022
Snapchat has recently announced Snapchat Sounds Creator Fund, a monthly grant program of up to $100,000 awarded to independent artists distributing music on the platform...
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August 15, 2022
Over the past few years, TikTok’s popularity has significantly increased resulting in 1 billion global daily users by early 2022. The app has also become extremely influential in the current music....
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August 4, 2022
Charlie Puth has paired with Studio to create a 30-day online course that outlines the entire songwriting and production process for $279 USD. This hands-on learning experience has been marketed....
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August 2, 2022
Whether you know Lexie Liu from her performance as Seraphine in K/DA’s “MORE” or her fourth-place finish on The Rap of China 2018, there’s no denying that the Chinese hip hop star is a global ...
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June 17, 2022
BTS is the most famous K-Pop band in the world now, and recently, they were invited to the white house to speak about anti-Asian hate crimes and inclusivity. Being the first K-Pop band to be...
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June 6, 2022
SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) is a 13 member Korean boy band under Pledis Entertainment. They are split into 3 teams, the Hip Hop unit (S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), the Vocal unit (Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi...
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June 3, 2022
On May 20, Harry Styles released his new album Harry’s House, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This is his third studio album in which all thirteen songs are in the top 30...
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May 26, 2022
The Song House is a songwriter house in Nashville, Tennessee where all levels of writers and artists come together to develop music. Every week, 12-15 songwriters are challenged to write a hook in...
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May 27, 2022
It’s been one year since the young pop-star, Olivia Rodrigo, released her first music album “Sour”. Since her debut, Olivia Rodrigo has won 3 Grammy Awards and named Women of the Year in 2022.
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March 31, 2022
After a cancelled performance at the Asuncionico festival in Paraguay Doja cat received backlash from fans claiming the singer neglected them outside of her hotel. After the many complaints from...
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April 11, 2022
After a long 4 year’s K-pop group Big Bang makes a comeback to the music scene with the song “Still Life.” This song has become another banger from the group reminding fans of the music they once...
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April 6, 2022
The first theatre production highlighting the global takeover of the K-Pop industry will be making its Broadway debut later this year, with its opening night scheduled for November 20, while...
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Photo Credit: GQ Magazine
In the world of hip-hop, André 3000 is a name that commands respect and admiration. As one-half of the iconic rap duo OutKast, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his unique style and lyrical prowess have earned him a devoted fan base. However, in recent years, André 3000 has been challenging the conventional wisdom of age in rap music.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of OutKast's Grammy-winning album "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" and the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed "Aquemini." Despite the celebrations, fans have been eagerly awaiting André 3000's return to solo rap. His last proper solo rap song dates back to 2006 when he and Big Boi recorded their final album together. Since then, André's appearances in the rap world have been sporadic, with memorable but brief features on tracks like Beyoncé's "Party" and barely-there snippets on Kanye West's "30 Hours."
The anticipation for André's return to rap reached a fever pitch with the release of his instrumental flute record, "New Blue Sun." However, in an interview with GQ tied to the album's release, André 3000 dropped a bombshell: he expressed doubts about the authenticity of his rap at this stage of his life. At 48 years old, he questioned what he could rap about, humorously suggesting topics like colonoscopies and failing eyesight.
This candid revelation from André 3000 prompted discussions about ageism in the rap industry. While André's concerns are valid, they raise an important question: Is there a predefined age limit for rap artists? The answer, as demonstrated by several rap icons, is a resounding "no."
Jay-Z, for instance, released "4:44" at the age of 47, a deeply personal and candid album that garnered critical acclaim and eight Grammy nominations. Eminem, another rap legend, continues to release music that resonates with fans and critics alike well into his 40s and 50s.
In the case of André 3000, he has chosen a different path in recent years. While he hasn't released a solo rap album, he has explored new horizons in his career. André has ventured into acting, appearing in films by acclaimed directors such as Noah Baumbach and Kelly Reichardt. He has also continued to showcase his musical talents, often seen with a woodwind instrument in hand.
André 3000's latest album, "New Blue Sun," has garnered acclaim for its ambient and engrossing musical landscape. While he may have reservations about returning to rap, he has demonstrated that his artistic journey is far from over. As he explores new avenues in his career, he remains an influential figure in the world of music.
In conclusion, André 3000's reflections on age and rap challenge the notion that there's an expiration date for artists in the genre. While he may have temporarily stepped away from rap, his legacy and impact endure. The examples set by other rap legends prove that age is not a barrier to creativity and relevance. As André continues to chart his own path, fans eagerly await the day when his velvety voice graces the rap world once again, proving that age is just a number in the world of hip-hop.
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