André 3000 has said he feels “instantly attacked” when he releases new music and therefore does not have the “space to experiment” like he used to.
The OutKast star was speaking on producer Rick Rubin’s Broken Record podcast when he discussed why he hasn’t been “making much music” recently.
“My focus is not there, my confidence is not there,” he said. “I tinker. I tinker a lot. Like I would just go to my piano and just sit my iPhone down and record what I’m doing. Move my fingers around and whatever happens.
“I haven’t been motivated to make a serious project. I’d like to, but it’s just not coming. In my own self, I’m trying to figure out, where do I sit? I don’t even know what I am and maybe I’m nothing. Maybe I’m not supposed to be anything. Maybe my history is kind of handicapping in a way.”
The musician also spoke about the pressure he feels from his fans and music critics. “Any little thing I put out, it’s instantly attacked, not in a good or bad way,” he said. “People nitpick it with a fine-tooth comb. ‘Oh, he said that word!’
“And that’s not a great place to create from and it makes you draw back. Maybe I don’t have the confidence that I want, or the space to experiment like I used too.”
André 3000, who has released six OutKast albums with collaborator Big Boi, has worked with James Blake and Anderson .Paak in recent years, but has had minimal solo output.
