Andre 3000

Andre 3000
Sven Mandel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Andre 3000
Caption	Andre 3000 performing in 2014
Birth name	Andre Lauren Benjamin
Birth date	27 May 1975
Birth place	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, fashion designer
Years active	1992–present
Associated acts	Outkast, Big Boi, Organized Noize, Janelle Monáe, Erykah Badu

Andre 3000

Andre Lauren Benjamin (born May 27, 1975), known professionally as Andre 3000, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and designer. He rose to prominence as one half of the hip hop duo Outkast alongside Big Boi, achieving commercial success and critical acclaim across multiple albums and singles. Benjamin's work intersects with artists and institutions across hip hop, soul, funk, jazz, and film, and he is noted for his eclectic image, lyrical innovation, and genre-defying projects.

Early life and education

Benjamin was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in the Bankhead neighborhood before moving to East Point, Georgia and later Decatur, Georgia. He attended Avondale High School (Decatur, Georgia) where he met Antwan Patton (Big Boi), and both later enrolled at Tri-Cities High School for the Performing Arts. Benjamin's upbringing was influenced by Southern hip hop communities and regional producers such as Organized Noize, leading to early studio sessions at local studios like PatchWerk Recording Studios. His adolescence overlapped with Atlanta scenes that produced contemporaries including Goodie Mob, CeeLo Green, and Killer Mike.

Musical career

Benjamin and Antwan Patton formed Outkast in the early 1990s, signing with LaFace Records and releasing the debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, produced by Organized Noize and featuring collaborators from Dungeon Family. Subsequent albums including ATLiens, Aquemini, and Stankonia expanded their sound through collaborations with producers and artists such as Mr. DJ, Earthtone III, Big Boi, and guest appearances from Killer Mike and Erykah Badu. Outkast's single "Hey Ya!" from Speakerboxxx/The Love Below—an album structured as solo discs showcasing Benjamin and Patton—achieved global chart success and won Grammy Awards including Grammy Award for Album of the Year nominations. Benjamin's contributions often pushed boundaries via exploration of psychedelic soul and funk aesthetics influenced by musicians like James Brown, George Clinton, Prince, and Jimi Hendrix; producers and session musicians from studios such as Daptone Records and musicians like Questlove informed live performances and recordings.

Benjamin and Patton toured extensively, headlining festivals including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, and Lollapalooza, and performed on television programs including The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live. Outkast's legacy is cited in histories of Southern hip hop alongside artists like Lil Wayne, T.I., Ludacris, and labels such as Def Jam Recordings for reshaping mainstream hip hop aesthetics and industry practices in the 1990s and 2000s.

Solo work and collaborations

Benjamin's solo output includes The Love Below, as well as guest appearances on tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Janelle Monáe, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Drake, Common, and Kendrick Lamar-affiliated projects. He has contributed verses and production to albums from Erykah Badu, Goodie Mob, and John Legend, and has collaborated with producers such as Pharrell Williams, Danger Mouse, and Madlib. Benjamin also released non-album singles, mixtape features, and contributed to soundtracks for films involving composers like Hans Zimmer and collaborators like T Bone Burnett. His intermittent releases and guest spots often preview experimental directions explored later on stage or in studio albums.

Acting and other media

Benjamin transitioned into acting with roles in films and television, appearing in Four Brothers, Be Cool, and portraying Jimi Hendrix in the biopic Jimi: All Is by My Side. He appeared on television series including American Crime and contributed voice work to animated projects and documentaries exploring music history such as programs on MTV and VH1. Benjamin has been involved in fashion through collaborations with designers and brands including Vogue coverage, runway appearances in Paris Fashion Week, and partnerships with clothing labels. He has curated art installations and participated in festivals that feature cultural institutions like The Smithsonian Institution and exhibitions at venues like The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

Artistry and public image

Benjamin's artistry blends lyricism with melodic experimentation, drawing on influences including Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, and producers from Stax Records and Motown Records legacies. Critics compare his inventive flows and vocal ranges to avant-garde performers featured in retrospective exhibits at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and critical surveys in publications such as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. His fashion and public persona—characterized by flamboyant outfits, face paint, and onstage theatrics—have been covered in outlets like GQ and The New York Times and discussed alongside contemporaries including Pharrell Williams and Beyoncé for influencing celebrity style and visual performance.

Personal life and activism

Benjamin has kept aspects of his personal life private while maintaining public relationships and collaborations with artists such as Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles. He is a father and has engaged in philanthropic and activist efforts supporting causes linked to arts education, disaster relief, and voter registration, working with organizations including (RED), Songwriters Hall of Fame events, and benefit concerts held at venues like Madison Square Garden and The Forum (Inglewood, California). Benjamin's cultural impact is recognized through honors from institutions such as the Grammy Hall of Fame and invitations to speak at panels alongside figures from NPR (organization), TED Conferences, and university programs at Emory University and Spelman College.

Category:American rappers Category:Outkast