Thank you for explaining the lyrics. I’ve never been a fan of rap but you are teaching me to appreciate it. I love your show and watch daily. At 69 I need help understanding the current music. Thanks again.
Thanks. You gently lowered me to understanding the depths of exclusion. I am 84 and follow your MSNBC political analysis but seldom continue on to your “fall back” rap and cultural comment. I’m tempted to sample a little more now. Dean
Hi Ari, I have been an Outkast fan for a long time. This was really interesting and thank you for the interpretation. A quick shout out to Jason Johnson for an excellent show last night on the Beat. I look forward to your next article. Thanks again Ari. Have a great weekend!!
First, let me say that I totally agree with your dad. It was a total culture shock for me in middle school when suddenly everyone was about labels. My immediate reaction was, "No, I'm not giving anyone free advertising!" Many, many years later I'm still contrarian like that. Second, thank you for bringing the same level of thoughtful analysis to rap lyrics that you bring to other topics. I wouldn't actively seek out Frank Ocean, so when I think of Andre 3000, I think of bangers like Hey Ya and B.O.B. Of course he's capable of being emotionally open; it's good to be reminded of that.
Thank you for this fantastic explanation! When I listen to rap/hip-hop (which is always 😂), I always love to see the way that artists blend music and poetry. I do think that Andre was emotionally open in the verses, he used “low” in different ways to show his feelings, apologies, etc. And a great connection with your dad’s thoughts on logos! Looking forward to the next lyric breakdown ;)
His words mean so much, rhe pain he has suffered, the shootings { by police } of his people is disgusting, will it ever end, thank you for your insights to many things !!
I admit I don’t listen much to rap because I don’t listen close enough to get the real meaning of the words and verses. What a talented writings of Andre, I thank you Ari for translating his verses, words and his pain that he has been going through all these years. The pain of unjust shootings of African Americans by corrupt police, racism, everyday life challenges, women being treated unjust because they are female. What an eye opener at 71 years for me. I have always been upset now African Americans have been treated , Have these issues changed any since slavery?? Not much.
Hi Ari, Once again you've opened my eyes to the words and meanings in the lyrics of the music you love so much. I guess in the future i'll be looking up more artist info pages. Thank you once again.
This is something that I may have commented on before. I definitely understand his verses broken down and explained by you. now I can kinda feel his words. Thank You. Please define other types of these verses from others.
Your inspiring insights are fresh breaths of air; they facilitate my healing from personal trauma and that evident in the chaotic environment of this world. Let there be peace on earth. 🙏🏻🎄☮️
That was really nice. Thanks for that. The thing about art is it looks the world right in the eyes, it faces all the good and bad. It wears you down after awhile, but the right thing to do, to "keep it gangster", is to keep looking. Happy, healthy, and with a future; that's what all the kids should be.
Beautiful analysis! It’s striking to me how “rich” Andre 3000’s poetry is. Just in 1 verse he digs into heavy topics very personally, and even more so in the following verses. I can feel his vulnerability. And that is an artist. Ari, you managed another triple entendre! Your breakdowns of lyrics truly help me see them on planes I’d never get to on my own. Thanks for the help!! And happy weekend.
I believe he is sharing his internal life which is deeply personal. Your analysis was so thoughtful. He is a substantial poet. I can feel his pain and his cultural disappointment. I appreciate that rap music requires that a listener pay attention to the words that are spoken not just syntax but the actual words. Interesting post Ari
So many thoughts on this one! Emotionally open, yes. I can relate to “dislike of logo’s” and “following trends.” He could do something about his concerns to being “insensitive to women,” like write lyrics that don’t objectify women( you left some verses out on this!) and demean sex. “Watching the undeserving game the system”- like watching Trump and Republicans trolling, conning, working the system to boost ego and power. He “ stumbled… but they were genuinely his-“ there’s a bravery in owning your mistakes, also lacking in Republican Party. Instead of seeing himself as a “sucker” he could choose to take comfort in his honesty and integrity. Andre 3000 is definitely hurting, and that is really sad. Thank you for a terrific and thoughtful provoking newsletter. Rappers are blessed to have you in their corner always.
Thank you for explaining the lyrics. I’ve never been a fan of rap but you are teaching me to appreciate it. I love your show and watch daily. At 69 I need help understanding the current music. Thanks again.
Thanks. You gently lowered me to understanding the depths of exclusion. I am 84 and follow your MSNBC political analysis but seldom continue on to your “fall back” rap and cultural comment. I’m tempted to sample a little more now. Dean
Thanks Dean! Open-minded at 84 - I hope to be like you down the road! :)
Hi Ari, I have been an Outkast fan for a long time. This was really interesting and thank you for the interpretation. A quick shout out to Jason Johnson for an excellent show last night on the Beat. I look forward to your next article. Thanks again Ari. Have a great weekend!!
Outkast fans unite! Cheers Robert
First, let me say that I totally agree with your dad. It was a total culture shock for me in middle school when suddenly everyone was about labels. My immediate reaction was, "No, I'm not giving anyone free advertising!" Many, many years later I'm still contrarian like that. Second, thank you for bringing the same level of thoughtful analysis to rap lyrics that you bring to other topics. I wouldn't actively seek out Frank Ocean, so when I think of Andre 3000, I think of bangers like Hey Ya and B.O.B. Of course he's capable of being emotionally open; it's good to be reminded of that.
no labels! :)
Thank you for this fantastic explanation! When I listen to rap/hip-hop (which is always 😂), I always love to see the way that artists blend music and poetry. I do think that Andre was emotionally open in the verses, he used “low” in different ways to show his feelings, apologies, etc. And a great connection with your dad’s thoughts on logos! Looking forward to the next lyric breakdown ;)
Wow thank you!
Absolutely! :)
His words mean so much, rhe pain he has suffered, the shootings { by police } of his people is disgusting, will it ever end, thank you for your insights to many things !!
I admit I don’t listen much to rap because I don’t listen close enough to get the real meaning of the words and verses. What a talented writings of Andre, I thank you Ari for translating his verses, words and his pain that he has been going through all these years. The pain of unjust shootings of African Americans by corrupt police, racism, everyday life challenges, women being treated unjust because they are female. What an eye opener at 71 years for me. I have always been upset now African Americans have been treated , Have these issues changed any since slavery?? Not much.
Hi Ari, Once again you've opened my eyes to the words and meanings in the lyrics of the music you love so much. I guess in the future i'll be looking up more artist info pages. Thank you once again.
This is something that I may have commented on before. I definitely understand his verses broken down and explained by you. now I can kinda feel his words. Thank You. Please define other types of these verses from others.
This is such a great piece in its depth of description I have no words, but only one WOW! Thank you.🙏🏽🥰
Why thank you Kim, also that was several words! Haha
Truth! 😂😉
Your inspiring insights are fresh breaths of air; they facilitate my healing from personal trauma and that evident in the chaotic environment of this world. Let there be peace on earth. 🙏🏻🎄☮️
🙏
That was really nice. Thanks for that. The thing about art is it looks the world right in the eyes, it faces all the good and bad. It wears you down after awhile, but the right thing to do, to "keep it gangster", is to keep looking. Happy, healthy, and with a future; that's what all the kids should be.
Interesting view of his outlook on his life.
🙏
Beautiful analysis! It’s striking to me how “rich” Andre 3000’s poetry is. Just in 1 verse he digs into heavy topics very personally, and even more so in the following verses. I can feel his vulnerability. And that is an artist. Ari, you managed another triple entendre! Your breakdowns of lyrics truly help me see them on planes I’d never get to on my own. Thanks for the help!! And happy weekend.
I believe he is sharing his internal life which is deeply personal. Your analysis was so thoughtful. He is a substantial poet. I can feel his pain and his cultural disappointment. I appreciate that rap music requires that a listener pay attention to the words that are spoken not just syntax but the actual words. Interesting post Ari
Andre is so raw and open with his feelings and disappointments.
As you say, he cares about the culture and how it gets compromised.
Here’s to “actual words,” yes!
So many thoughts on this one! Emotionally open, yes. I can relate to “dislike of logo’s” and “following trends.” He could do something about his concerns to being “insensitive to women,” like write lyrics that don’t objectify women( you left some verses out on this!) and demean sex. “Watching the undeserving game the system”- like watching Trump and Republicans trolling, conning, working the system to boost ego and power. He “ stumbled… but they were genuinely his-“ there’s a bravery in owning your mistakes, also lacking in Republican Party. Instead of seeing himself as a “sucker” he could choose to take comfort in his honesty and integrity. Andre 3000 is definitely hurting, and that is really sad. Thank you for a terrific and thoughtful provoking newsletter. Rappers are blessed to have you in their corner always.