André 3000 debuted his brand-new fashion line and fresh music at the 2025 Met Gala.
On Monday night, May 5, the OutKast rapper stepped out on the blue carpet wearing a massive bespoke piano on his back. Styled by Law Roach, André's blue outfit, with an accompanying red hat, is a collaboration with Burberry and benji bixby, which is "an evolution of André's beloved late 00s fashion line, Benjamin Bixby" according to a press release. In addition to the debut of benji bixby, André 3000 also released a surprise new collection of music called 7 piano sketches via Epic Records.
"Warning: no bars," André said about his new album. "These piano sketches are improvisations. 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."
André 3000 said he began working on the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated album New Blue Sun nearly 10 years ago while staying at a house in Texas with his son. He recorded most of the songs on his iPhone and his laptop with the exception of "Blueberries," which was recorded in a studio. He also admitted that the original title for the project was The Best Worst Rap Album In History.
"Here is an excerpt from the original liner notes: 'It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all,'" André wrote. "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.’”
7 piano sketches arrives several months before he and Big Boi are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Listen to his new album on iHeartRadio now and check out his look at the Met Gala below.