Last week, Outkast fans got what they were waiting for, kind of, when Big Boi popped up on a remix of Frank Ocean's "Pink Matter," which already included a verse from Big Boi's estranged band buddy Andre 3000. While the track, as well as another impending pseudo-reunion on T.I.'s originally just-Dre-assisted "Sorry," potentially hint at the Outkast duo getting things going again, Andre 3000 has stepped in to clear up the nature of the after-the-fact team-ups.
In a statement to Spin, Andre 3000 notes the origins of his collaborations with Ocean and T.I., adding that he discussed the musical direction and recorded his verses before Big Boi's name was even brought up. Since the two Outkast members didn't work on these songs together, Dre feels these aren't proper reunion tracks.
On the flipside, Big Boi had previously noted that he was initially approached to do the songs, but backed off as "Dre didn't want an Outkast record coming out on anybody else LP."
Here's the full statement from Andre 3000:
It's important for me to be clear about the origins of my contributions to "Pink Matter" and "Sorry."
I was approached as a solo artist by both Frank Ocean & Tip. I discussed musical direction with each artist and completed my verses. It was after that when Big Boi's name came up.
I never want to mislead our audience — I worried that some would think these were Outkast collaborations. These songs are not Outkast collaborations. I discussed this rationale with Big, Frank and T.I. and everyone agreed. That is why I was surprised to read about these remixes.
I understand that anyone can put out an unofficial remix to any song but I have an obligation to be honest with fans about what this is … and what it isn't.
So, in summary, the "Pink Matter" remix is not an official Outkast track. That much we know. You can still, however, stream the song below and wonder when Tip's Dre-and-Big Boi-assisted remix will actually arrive.
In a statement to Spin, Andre 3000 notes the origins of his collaborations with Ocean and T.I., adding that he discussed the musical direction and recorded his verses before Big Boi's name was even brought up. Since the two Outkast members didn't work on these songs together, Dre feels these aren't proper reunion tracks.
On the flipside, Big Boi had previously noted that he was initially approached to do the songs, but backed off as "Dre didn't want an Outkast record coming out on anybody else LP."
Here's the full statement from Andre 3000:
It's important for me to be clear about the origins of my contributions to "Pink Matter" and "Sorry."
I was approached as a solo artist by both Frank Ocean & Tip. I discussed musical direction with each artist and completed my verses. It was after that when Big Boi's name came up.
I never want to mislead our audience — I worried that some would think these were Outkast collaborations. These songs are not Outkast collaborations. I discussed this rationale with Big, Frank and T.I. and everyone agreed. That is why I was surprised to read about these remixes.
I understand that anyone can put out an unofficial remix to any song but I have an obligation to be honest with fans about what this is … and what it isn't.
So, in summary, the "Pink Matter" remix is not an official Outkast track. That much we know. You can still, however, stream the song below and wonder when Tip's Dre-and-Big Boi-assisted remix will actually arrive.