Image credit: André 3000 – New Blue Sun

André 3000 is finally dropping a solo album 17 years after the last Outkast record, though it might not be what fans were hoping for.

André 3000, three-stacks, 3k, is stepping back into the world of music. The rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and all around creative has announced the release of his debut solo album.

After a hugely successful career in the rap duo Outkast, André 3000 has been iconically quiet on the music front. Teasing fans with the odd feature on tracks for artists like Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, and A Tribe Called Quest. He’s been reluctant to release a full length effort, to the dismay of adoring fans.

17 years since the release of his last album with Big Boi, under Outkast, he’s finally dropping. However, the album might not be what fans have been waiting nearly two decades for.

André 3000’s debut album is titled ‘New Blue Sun’ and will feature no rap. In fact, the artist has announced that it won’t feature his voice at all.

Instead, André 3000’s debut release is a minimalist album focusing on the flute. Other woodwind instruments will feature as well, but there’ll be no verses from the legendary rapper.

Aware of fans wishes, André has placed a warning label on the album: “no bars”. He says that he’d love to make a rap album, “but it’s just not happening for me”.

He goes on: “I love rap music because it was a part of my youth. So I would love to be out here with everybody rapping, because it’s almost like fun and being on the playground. I would love to be out here playing with everybody, but it’s just not happening for me.

Speaking on the decision to make an instrumental album, he says: “This is the realest thing that’s coming right now. Not to say that I would never do it again, but those are not the things that are coming right now. And I have to present what’s given to me at the time.”

The first track on the record is titled ‘I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time’. So, you get the idea that he knows what people are after.

New Blue Sun releases on November 17th.