Andre 3000 is a busy man as he celebrates the 20th anniversary of Outkast with a tour and prepares for the release of his upcoming Jimi Hendrix biopic.
During an exclusive interview with the New York Times, Andre reveals that this year has had its share of ups and downs as he dishes on his Coachella performance and some very real advice given to him by the one and only Prince.
When fans learned that Andre 3000 and Big Boi would unite for Coachella it quickly became one of the summer’s most highly anticipated performances but Andre 3000 says he and the fans knew something was missing.
“Yea, I think people could see it at Coachella, the very first show. It was foreign. My head wasn’t there,” he explained. “A few hours before the show, I get a message that Prince and Paul McCartney are going to be there….my spirit is not right and my idols are standing side stage, so as the show started, I’m bummed.”
Andre 3000’s concerns about disappointing his idols were eased a few days later when he got a special call. Prince was on the line and wanted to share some knowledge about comeback performances, “When you come back people want to be wowed. And what’s the best way to wow people? Just give them the hits,” Prince said.
When asked whether he thought about canceling his performances due to the death of his parents Andre says that the shows were actually a blessing, “These shows force me to have to be in front of those people, so it was good therapy for me,” he said.
When it comes to his upcoming role as Jimi Hendrix in the much talked about biopic of the late rock legend, Andre says he almost passed on it, citing his age and grey hairs as his reasons but he’s glad the movie’s director John Ridley kept at him, “I needed something to focus on to get me out of my depression and rut,” he said. “…Hendrix kind of saved me.”
Fans can catch Jimi Hendrix: All is by my Side in theaters September 26.