André 3000 Responds to LL Cool J’s Criticism of His Solo Flute Album: Rapping Is ‘Not Enough for Me’

André 3000 released the instrumental album ‘New Blue Sun’ in November

When André 3000 released his debut album New Blue Sun in November, many fans were surprised. The rapper, known for his legendary raps on Outkast hits like “Hey Ya!,” had put out an instrumental record, inspired by his longtime interest in woodwinds.

Not everyone was thrilled — in a May interview, LL Cool J said he didn’t “wanna hear him do the flute,” and publicly called for the star to return to rapping. In a new interview, André, 49, responded to criticism, explaining that he’s committed to keeping his creativity fresh.

“If it’s in you, you should rap until you die. You should perform until you die,” André said in a recent appearance on The Show video series. “But what I’m saying is, what it takes for me to do it, I’m always looking for the next. I’m not trying to uphold a thing that I’ve done before.”

He continued, “Of course, I have things to say now, but if I can’t say them in a fresh, innovative way, if I feel like I’m just hanging onto the same flow that I used to do, it’s not enough for me. So I can’t talk for another rapper about what [they’re] doing. I just say, ‘Man, go for you. If it’s in you.’”