Many fans were shocked and confused by André 3000’s performance at All Points East (Picture: All Points East)
Fans were left bewildered and divided by André 3000’s performance at the All Points East festival in East London over the weekend.
The rapper, known for his groundbreaking work as one-half of the iconic hip-hop duo OutKast as well as his successful solo career, took the stage at Victoria Park on Sunday, delivering a set that left many attendees questioning what they had just witnessed.
The All Points East festival, curated in part by British rapper Loyle Carner, featured an eclectic lineup that included legendary artists like Nas, rising stars such as ENNY, and jazz virtuosos like Nubya Garcia.
The event promised a diverse range of performances, but it was André 3000’s set that became the primary talking point on social media.
At the festival, André 3000 put his new era of music on full display.
For the duration of his set, the rapper-turned-flutist did not rap a single verse. Instead, he played a series of flute compositions and even began barking at one point.
Many fans did not know how to react to the musician’s performance (Picture: Per Ole Hagen/Redferns)
His latest album was a major musical departure for him (Picture: Getty Images)
Later on, he spoke in a made up language, to the confusion and bewilderment of audience members.
While some fans were intrigued by the performance, others were left extremely confused and even annoyed.
The set quickly became a topic of discussion online, with reactions ranging from admiration to outright bewilderment.
On X one user, @jasebyjason, posted: ‘When you guys say Andre 3000 came out and just played a flute yesterday are you saying he didn’t sing? At all?’
To which @hazey_marie (among others) confirmed: ‘That’s exactly what happened. He did, however, speak in a made up language to let the audience know he’d lost his luggage.’
André 3000 first made a name for himself in the rap duo Outkast alongside Big Boi (Picture: Getty Images)
@athometrave1er, expressed their disappointment, stating: ‘That Andre 3000 set at @allpointseastuk is one of the most self-indulgent pieces of nonsense I’ve ever seen. Playing a flute & chanting incoherently into the mic. He mightn’t have even rehearsed, just rocked up & started making noise, as you couldn’t have told the difference.’
Another user, @jameelajoie, shared their confusion: ‘Andre 3000 is not okay. He brought his flute, fine. He then barks, fine. He then starts speaking in a language, fine. He then says that language is made up!!??!?!!’
@leahtfa said: ‘Sorry to Andre 3000 I know he’s a legend of the game but ain’t nobody tryna to hear the flute, particularly at 9pm on a Saturday.’
But other fans were less shocked by the set, given that the rapper’s latest album – New Blue Sun – does not feature any rapping or singing but plenty of flute music.
@MissMaSunshine posted: ‘Andre 3000 last album was him playing instruments, he’s been performing the album live all year, why were people expecting Miss Jackson & Hey Ya?’
@TheDanB1 wrote: ‘Just come on tonight to see how many annoyed people there are who watched Andre 3000 at All Points East. I think it was widely known he was going to do a flute set.’
Some fans even questioned the rapper’s sanity (Picture: Getty Images)
User @yemiabiade seemed to blame the crowd’s ignorance of the rapper’s current music for their disappointment, writing: ‘The thought of people running to André 3000’s set expecting Hey Ya then furiously turning around at the sight of flutes is pretty funny.’
André 3000, whose real name is André Benjamin, is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music.
With OutKast, alongside his partner Big Boi, he helped reshape the landscape of American music, blending rap with elements of funk, soul, and rock to create a unique sound. Their hits, such as Ms. Jackson, Hey Ya!, and Roses, are still recognisable and iconic.
But now it seems that old school fans of the artist aren’t especially thrilled about the rapper’s avant garde explorations of genre and form – and are even fearing for his sanity.
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