Questlove is a lifelong fan of OutKast and he always makes it a point to give the Southern legends their flowers whenever the opportunity presents itself.
On Wednesday (December 13), André 3000 joined the 52-year-old percussionist on his podcast Questlove Supreme to discuss everything from breakfast cereal to Prince to pivoting genres on his latest album, New Blue Sun.
During the chat, the Philly native took a moment to explain exactly how he felt upon listening to one of the biggest hits by his guest’s former group back in 1998.
“[My publicist] had a copy of Aquemini and the feeling of fear when ‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious’ came on,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Fuck, they sound like a better band than we do,’ and instantly I knew like every Black university marching band … like this was going to be something I heard forever.”
Questlove continued: “And I was like, ‘Damn, how come ideas don’t come to be like that.’ Man, like, what the fuck! Y’know, and plus it’s rare to hear stream-of-conscious thinking … Black people thinking … and man, that paralyzed me so goddamn much.”
Listen to the humble confession at the 37:12 mark below:
Questlove’s praise for André 3000 isn’t limited to his old work, as he made it a point to convey just how highly he thinks of the ATLien’s latest project.
Last month, soon after the Atlanta legend announced his first solo LP, The Roots co-founder took to social media to offer his thoughts on the “next level” tracklist and stir up anticipation for it.
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“I am no stranger to the ‘departure album’ […] albums the complete opposite of what the artist is known for” he wrote on Instagram. “I knew this 3000 jawn was a left turn but I didn’t know it’s the RIGHT left turn.”
Referring to the new record as “good medicine,” he added: “I always said ‘one day imma make the ambient record I’d love to sleep and dream to’ (btw, watching violent shit/sleeping to news/sleeping in stressful environment takes years off your life—-so this is why I invest heavy in stuff like this.)
“thank you @andre3000 #NewBlueSun”
