ArtistDirect News
Andre 3000 Teases New Collaboration With Sonic Youths Lee Ranaldo Amid Ongoing Instrumental Projects
In a candid Q&A for the visual album that accompanies his 2025 EP 7 Piano Sketches, André 3000 confirmed that fresh music is in the works. The former OutKast frontman told Pigeons & Planes that the new material will feature Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo, but he has yet to reveal the genre.
The announcement follows a string of instrumental releases that have defined 3000’s recent output. In 2023 he returned to the studio with New Blue Sun, a flute‑driven jazz album that earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The following year he issued Moving Day, an experimental project that continued his focus on non‑vocal music. His latest EP, 7 Piano Sketches, was announced for 2025 and is paired with a short film that premiered on MUBI in June 2026. Produced by Three Stacks, the film follows 3000 on a surreal New York City commute while carrying a piano strapped to his back.
The visual companion was showcased at the 2025 Met Gala, where 3000 wore an outfit echoing the film’s aesthetic. The EP itself consists of seven solo piano tracks, all recorded in a single session. 3000 described the project as an “improvisatory piano suite” that inspired the short film.
Beyond his solo work, 3000 contributed flute performances to the 2023 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, a broader collaboration that highlighted his versatility beyond rap.
The news of the new collaboration comes as OutKast, the duo that 3000 formed with Big Boi in 1992, was named on The New York Times list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters. The list, compiled with input from over 250 music insiders and six critics, also names artists such as Jay‑Z, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, and Bob Dylan.
3000’s career has spanned more than three decades. After a 17‑year hiatus from new material, New Blue Sun marked a return to the studio. The album was released by Epic Records on November 17, 2023, and was followed by nominations for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. The opening track, “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time,” was also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition.
The upcoming release with Ranaldo adds a new dimension to 3000’s catalog. While the artist has not confirmed whether the collaboration will be jazz, rock, or another genre, the partnership signals a continued willingness to experiment. The project is expected to be released in the near future, though no official date has been announced.
Industry observers note that 3000’s recent output has been driven by a focus on instrumental music and visual storytelling. The short film for 7 Piano Sketches and the visual album for the EP demonstrate an integration of music and cinema that has become a hallmark of his recent work.
The collaboration with Lee Ranaldo also reflects a broader trend of cross‑genre partnerships in contemporary music. Ranaldo, known for his work with Sonic Youth, has a history of experimental collaborations, and his involvement suggests a potential blending of 3000’s improvisational piano work with Ranaldo’s dissonant guitar textures.
As of now, the only confirmed detail is that the new material will be released soon. 3000 has chosen to keep the specifics, including the release date and musical style, undisclosed.
In summary, André 3000 is preparing to add a new collaborative project to his growing catalog of instrumental releases. The partnership with Lee Ranaldo, the visual elements surrounding 7 Piano Sketches, and his recent Grammy recognition all point to a period of creative expansion for the artist.
The announcement follows a string of instrumental releases that have defined 3000’s recent output. In 2023 he returned to the studio with New Blue Sun, a flute‑driven jazz album that earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The following year he issued Moving Day, an experimental project that continued his focus on non‑vocal music. His latest EP, 7 Piano Sketches, was announced for 2025 and is paired with a short film that premiered on MUBI in June 2026. Produced by Three Stacks, the film follows 3000 on a surreal New York City commute while carrying a piano strapped to his back.
The visual companion was showcased at the 2025 Met Gala, where 3000 wore an outfit echoing the film’s aesthetic. The EP itself consists of seven solo piano tracks, all recorded in a single session. 3000 described the project as an “improvisatory piano suite” that inspired the short film.
Beyond his solo work, 3000 contributed flute performances to the 2023 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, a broader collaboration that highlighted his versatility beyond rap.
The news of the new collaboration comes as OutKast, the duo that 3000 formed with Big Boi in 1992, was named on The New York Times list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters. The list, compiled with input from over 250 music insiders and six critics, also names artists such as Jay‑Z, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, and Bob Dylan.
3000’s career has spanned more than three decades. After a 17‑year hiatus from new material, New Blue Sun marked a return to the studio. The album was released by Epic Records on November 17, 2023, and was followed by nominations for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. The opening track, “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time,” was also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition.
The upcoming release with Ranaldo adds a new dimension to 3000’s catalog. While the artist has not confirmed whether the collaboration will be jazz, rock, or another genre, the partnership signals a continued willingness to experiment. The project is expected to be released in the near future, though no official date has been announced.
Industry observers note that 3000’s recent output has been driven by a focus on instrumental music and visual storytelling. The short film for 7 Piano Sketches and the visual album for the EP demonstrate an integration of music and cinema that has become a hallmark of his recent work.
The collaboration with Lee Ranaldo also reflects a broader trend of cross‑genre partnerships in contemporary music. Ranaldo, known for his work with Sonic Youth, has a history of experimental collaborations, and his involvement suggests a potential blending of 3000’s improvisational piano work with Ranaldo’s dissonant guitar textures.
As of now, the only confirmed detail is that the new material will be released soon. 3000 has chosen to keep the specifics, including the release date and musical style, undisclosed.
In summary, André 3000 is preparing to add a new collaborative project to his growing catalog of instrumental releases. The partnership with Lee Ranaldo, the visual elements surrounding 7 Piano Sketches, and his recent Grammy recognition all point to a period of creative expansion for the artist.