André 3000, the iconic Outkast member and one of this year’s most surprising Grammy nominees, has announced he will not attend the 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony. The artist, whose instrumental album New Blue Sun is nominated for Album of the Year, shared the news just one day before the event.
In a statement posted on Saturday (February 1), André wrote, “Unfortunately, I’m not able to attend the GRAMMYs tomorrow, but some of the New Blue Sun musicians, friends, and supporters will be in attendance.” He did not provide a specific reason for his absence.
A Surprise Nomination
André 3000’s New Blue Sun is a bold departure from his hip-hop roots, featuring experimental jazz and flute-driven compositions. The album is competing against some of the biggest names in music, including Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol. 4.
In addition to the Album of the Year nod, New Blue Sun is also nominated for Best Alternative Jazz Album, while its track “I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time” is up for Best Instrumental Composition.
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
In his statement, André expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the collaborative spirit behind New Blue Sun. He wrote, “Our album was conceived and recorded in Los Angeles with the spirit of openness and creative collaboration. We hope that the rebound of Los Angeles is swift and renewing.”
He also congratulated fellow nominees, adding, “Congrats to all the musicians and collaborators being acknowledged. Keep playing.”
Reflections on the Nomination
This isn’t the first time André 3000 has spoken about his Grammy nominations. In a November 2024 interview, he shared his excitement about the recognition, saying, “I’m just happy to get paid attention to. The awards are nice because you know at that point more people get to listen and pay attention to what you’re doing, so more than anything, that’s what I love about it.”
He also hinted at new music in 2025, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what’s next from the legendary artist.
The 2025 Grammy Awards
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony will be broadcast live starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
While André 3000 won’t be in attendance, his presence will undoubtedly be felt through his groundbreaking work on New Blue Sun.
