André 3000 never imagined that his shift from hip-hop to “punk spiritual jazz” would lead to a second Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Yet, his instrumental work for New Blue Sun has defied expectations, earning him a spot among the the year’s most acclaimed releases. André’s first Grammy nomination came two decades ago for OutKast‘s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Nonetheless, according to The New York Times, on November 8, he expressed his surprise at earning a second nomination for New Blue Sun, an album that ventures far beyond his hip-hop roots.
He stated, “I was just waking up and I heard that the nominations came in.” “We were trying to be nominated in some type of way for alternative jazz or ambient, possibly.” “But I was totally surprised by this. So yeah, it was super, super, super duper cool.”
Just days before his Grammy nomination, André honored his longtime collaborator Erykah Badu with a special tribute of his own. On October 29, he took the spotlight in New York City to celebrate Badu as she received the Fashion Icon Award at the 2024 CFDA Awards. He voiced, “When Erykah said to me, ‘I got some good news to tell you,’ I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if she was gonna say, ‘I’m pregnant’ or ‘I’m in a new relationship.’” “So then she lets me know, ‘I’m getting the CFDA Award, Fashion Icon Award.’ And then our excitement and celebration, we said something like, ‘Wooo! This the one. And what took ’em so damn long to recognize?’”
André 3000 Honors Erykah Badu as Fashion Icon
André went on to offer glowing compliments for the R&B singer, stating, “Erykah is one of the most original and unique human beings I’ve ever known. Her style is truly original. She’s an inspiration to everyone she meets. She’s an iconoclast, an outcast, a warrior, rule-breaker, educator, activist, magician, seer, songwriter, singer, mother and a great, great friend.” “She makes the world a brighter, more colorful, joyous, committed and meaningful place to be. It is my pleasure to present the CFDA Fashion Icon Award to Erykah Badu.”
Badu then took the stage in a striking ensemble adorned with intricate head jewelry, warmly embracing her “Hello” collaborator, whom she affectionately called her “best friend.” She went on to share her deep passion for fashion: “This is sport for me. I don’t feel right if I don’t leave the house and my shit’s not together. It’s my therapy, it’s my workout, it’s my husband — no offense.”
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