In an unexpected turn of events, André 3000's experimental flute album "New Blue Sun" has received a coveted Album of the Year nomination for the 2025 Grammy Awards. This marks the first time the Outkast alum has been nominated in this category since his 2004 win with "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."
The news came as a shock to many, including André himself. "I'm used to people feeling a way, but at the same time, it's just proof for me that I can only do what I'm into," he told Variety shortly after the announcement. "I think that's why I'm here. I get up on trying to expand myself. I have to be fun and be into what I'm doing. That's it."
Released in November 2023, "New Blue Sun" is a departure from André's hip-hop roots, featuring instrumental compositions heavily focused on flute performances. The album's unconventional nature makes its nomination all the more remarkable, as instrumental albums rarely receive such high-profile recognition.
In addition to Album of the Year, "New Blue Sun" also garnered nominations for Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Instrumental Composition. The latter nod is for a track with a notably lengthy title: "I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A 'Rap' Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time."
André 3000 faces stiff competition in the Album of the Year category, going up against pop powerhouses like Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter," Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department," and Sabrina Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet."
This nomination comes after a 17-year hiatus from releasing new material, with André's last album being Outkast's "Idlewild" in 2006. The recognition of "New Blue Sun" demonstrates the Recording Academy's appreciation for artistic risk-taking and genre-defying creativity.
As the Grammy Awards approach, all eyes will be on André 3000 to see if his bold musical experiment will result in another historic win for the innovative artist.