The album was originally titled ‚The Best Worst Rap Album In History‘ and was mostly recorded on an iPhone.
By DeMicia Inman
Staff Writer, News
As André 3000 walked the Met Gala 2025 red carpet with a piano on his back, he had a special treat in the chamber for fans of his music, sort of. The 49-year-old returned to the event with a new EP, 7 piano sketches. The work, like his last acclaimed release, New Blue Sun, was recorded without any lyrics, only instrumentals.
7 piano sketches was officially released on Monday night (May 5) as the Atlanta native wore a custom Burberry look at the fashion-forward fundraiser, in collaboration with benji bixby and styled by Law Roach. The work was partially composed and recorded prior to the aforementioned woodwind release, according to a press release.
The Grammy winner described the inspiration behind the EP in a lengthy caption on Instagram. He began by warning fans, “No bars.”
“These piano sketches are improvisations,” detailed the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductee. “To conjure them up, I spread my fingers out on the keys and randomly but with purpose move them around until I find something that feels good or interesting. If it feels really good I will try to repeat it. I cannot name which notes, keys or chords that I’m playing. I simply like the sound and mechanics of piano playing.”
He continued to elaborate on his inspiration from Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Philip Glass, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell and Vince Guaraldi.
“These piano pieces weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public. They were personal, at home recordings. I would sometimes text them to my family and friends,” he exclaimed. “Pardon the sound quality, they were all recorded with my iPhone sitting directly on the piano or my laptop microphone with the exception of ‘Blueberries’. (recorded in studio)”
Signed off as “3,” the musician closed, “This collection of songs was recorded almost a decade before New Blue Sun. The original title for it was ‘The Best Worst Rap Album In History’ and here is an excerpt from the original liner notes,” adding, “It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all. It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
The release comes after he promised fans “New music for sure” last year while speaking at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw carnival. He foreshadowed, “I don’t wanna pinpoint what it is, but I just wanna express more. Put it like that.”
Take a listen to 7 piano sketches below.
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