André 3000 wore his heart on his sleeve to the 2025 Met Gala — and a piano on his back.
The nine-time Grammy-winning musician rolled up to the red carpet — which this year was actually a deep shade of blue, courtesy of artist Cy Gavin — of the annual fundraising celebration decked out in a lush Burberry jumpsuit. In his hand, he held what appeared to be a common trash bag, and strapped to his back was a near-full-size piano.
The theme for this year’s fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Costume Institute’s new exhibit “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The musician born André Lauren Benjamin exemplified the theme, but the extravagant accessory slung across his back served a greater purpose beyond mere aesthetics.
While the actor, flautist, producer, and former OutKast member strolled up the steps of the Met, he dropped a new album, 7 piano sketches, bearing cover art featuring a sketch of his Gala ensemble.
“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,” André wrote in a lengthy Instagram post announcing the album. “These piano pieces weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public. They were personal, at home recordings. I would sometimes text them to my family and friends.”
André noted that most of the songs were recorded on his iPhone, and named as inspirations artists like Thelonious Monk, Philip Glass, and Joni Mitchell.
“The original title for it was The Best Worst Rap Album In History, and here is an excerpt from the original liner notes,” he joked, adding that this new body of work represents “the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
The musician was nominated for three Grammys at February’s ceremony, including Album of the Year for his solo debut, New Blue Sun, but he chose not to attend.
“Our album was conceived and recorded in Los Angeles with spirit of openness and creative collaboration,” the artist, who did not cite a reason for his absence, wrote in an Instagram post. He instead referenced the devastating wildfires that broke out in January, adding, “We hope that the rebound of Los Angeles is swift and renewing.”
Tommaso Boddi/Getty
André 3000 in Pasadena, Calif., in 2020
This year’s Met Gala co-chairs consisted of Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, British racecar driver Lewis Hamilton, and Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of the event’s long-time sponsor, Vogue magazine.
Honorary chair and NBA G.O.A.T. LeBron James, however, opted to sit his first Met out after sustaining an injury during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 30.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
