Top 10 Andre 3000 Guest Verses

When Outkast dropped the movie – with accompanying soundtrack – Idlewild in 2006, little did fans know that they wouldn't hear from their favorite Southern duo for over a decade. At least Big Boi has kept sections of his fan base satisfied with his three solo albums since. Andre on the other hand has only flirted with the idea of releasing any solo albums as he he’s concentrated on other interests like television, movies and fashion. But since Idlewild’s release, Andre has seemingly taken the nature of a mythical creature when it comes to music. His guest verses have become legendary in more ways than one, and fans have had to accept that expecting a solo album from one of rap’s most gifted lyricists is unrealistic at this point. This list will look at his ten best guest verses since his “retirement” as a full time MC. The list includes pop ditties, R&B jawns and straight hip-hop jams which show the versatility of the Atlanta native.

Ten

“Party” by Beyoncé (also featuring Kanye West)

4 (2011)

We already knew Dre had a thing for Mrs Carter-Knowles courtesy of Outkast’s 2003 smash hit, “Hey Ya” (“…all my Beyoncés and Lucy Lius get on the floor…”). So it probably didn't take a lot to convince him to jump on “Party”, a Kanye West produced ode to summer chilling. Although the song was released as a single, Beyoncé decided to go with the remix version with J.Cole’s verse replacing Andre. Although Cole’s verse does have brevity going for it, it is not anywhere as good as Andre’s. He evokes memories of a more innocent love while laying down his southern gentleman game.

Nine

“30 Something” by Jay Z (also featuring Ice Cube)

Kingdom Come (2006)

Five years before Dre granted Mrs. Carter-Knowles a verse, he worked with her beau, Jay Z. Although Kingdom Come, Mr. Carter’s comeback album, received lukewarm reviews, it had some of the best tracks of his career. The standout track, “30 Something” saw a 36 year old Shawn Carter revel in the wisdom and experience that his veteran status in hip-hop had given him. Even though hip-hop had always been thought of as a young man’ game, he was intent on rewriting the rules and showing it was possible to age gracefully as a rapper. For the remix, he recruited two of the better MC’s of his generation in Ice Cube and Andre to contribute different perspectives. With his verse Andre spends time wondering about the motivations of the young up and comers who idolize him. Are they trying to make a difference with their voices or are they just chasing the “bling-bling”? He takes a less stern approach than Cube and Jay with their verses but still leaves a potent perspective to mull over.

Eight

“Hello” by Erykah Badu

But You Caint Use My Phone (2015)

One can only wonder how Andre’s life would have turned out if he and Erykah had stayed together. Think of all the potential collaborations these uber-gifted musical duo would have blessed the world with. In any case, the two are at least on good terms now and if “Hello” is any indication, maybe we can expect more heat from them in the future. In this modern day ode to Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me”, Andre and Erykah croon sweetly and harmonize over the lush production. But that comes after Dre launches the song with a clever verse that features the phone theme Erykah uses through her 2015 mixtape while pledging his dedication to his love. He gives the impression that he’s finally ready to settle down after years of self-discovery. Too bad it couldn't be with Ms. Badu.

Seven

“You (Remix)” by Lloyd (also featuring Nas)

Street Love (2007)

When Lloyd released his “You” single in 2006 it shot straight to the top of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and helped take his sophomore album to gold status. Aside from the Spandau Ballet sample, a significant part of the song’s success was a guest verse from Lil Wayne, the hottest rapper alive at the time. For the official remix, Lloyd decided to feature two rap vets in Andre and Nas. The decision was inspired as first 3000 and then Nas spit some of the finest grown man bars. Andre kicks things off with a recollection of his encounter with a potential love interest. They share light flirtations before he decides to abruptly make his exit. She takes the bait and proposes him for his name and number. He acquiesces before reminding her he isn't like every other man.

Six

“Sorry” by T.I.

Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head (2012)

For fans of Southern hip-hop, this collaboration was a long time coming. By the time T.I. was establishing himself as the King of the South, Andre and Big Boi had established themselves as Grammy award winning hip-hop legends. It’s perhaps unsurprising then that this collaboration turned out to be the standout track from the Atlanta native’s eighth studio album. T.I.’s verses sees him defending his musical legacy, his brushes with the law and his entrepreneurial mindset. His perspective matches that of the chorus; he has nothing to apologize for as he’s living the life he wants to live. Dre takes a different angle, as he makes apologies to his mother, Erykah Badu and even Big Boi for his foibles over the years. It’s an extremely raw and emotional verse as he paints in vivid detail some of his deepest fears and shortcomings. As is his wont, he even ends his verse singing instead of rapping. At the end, it doesn’t matter that T.I. spits some of his best verses in his career because when Mr. Benjamin is in this type of form, there’s little any rapper can do to match him.

Five

“Pink Matter” by Frank Ocean

Channel Orange (2012)

After his stellar contribution to the much anticipated Watch the Throne album by Kanye West and Jay Z, Frank Ocean’s debut album was one of the most anticipated projects in 2012. Although several artists including Kanye and Beyoncé showed interest in collaborations, the notoriously reclusive singer decided to only feature a couple of guest artists, one of which was Andre 3000. In what was the album’s standout track, Frank and Andre took on somewhat interesting concept. With “Pink Matter”, the duo chose to address the unique sensuality of the female gender. With his esoteric verses, Frank wonders about the essence of woman while crooning about aliens and Dragon Ball Z. Andre’s verse is thankfully clearer as he ponders on the effect his latest break up has had on him. He’s clearly not over her or her pink matter. It’s a strange song to be sure but it somehow encapsulates the complexity of love, lust and longing.

Four

“Da Art of Storytelling 4” by DJ Drama (also featuring Marsha Ambrosious)

Gangsta Grillz (2007)

Even though he’s not anywhere near as popular as DJ Khaled, Drama has been one of hip-hop’s most prolific DJs of the 21st century. Granted Khaled is always good for radio hits but how many DJs could bring Outkast together again on their album? Drama didn’t just bring Dre and Big Boi together again, he got them to make a third sequel of one of their most iconic songs, 1998’s “Da Art of Storytelling”. Rapping over a DJ Don Cannon beat, both Dre and Antwan show their penchant for crafting vivid stories haven’t faded over time. Dre kicks things off with his story in a story. He explains to the sexy woman in his bedroom why he cannot in good conscience act like some of his fellow rap brethren and ‘make it rain’ in the club. He takes his role as one of hip-hop’s brightest too seriously and as such he opts for uplifting lyrics whenever he can. His story comes to an abrupt end when he realizes this lady has a boyfriend and he ushers her out of his room with alacrity.

Three

“International Player’s Anthem” by UGK

Underground Kingz (2007)

For most fans, this verse is the gold standard for Andre 3000 verses. In fact placing at number 3 feels strange as it is arguably his most popular guest verse ever. What can’t be debated is this Southern hip-hop classic that saw a three way fusion of legendary southern crews (Outkast and UGK with the verses and Three Six Mafia on the beat), had a reverberating effect when the single and the video came out in 2007. This ode to players everywhere felt very much like a sequel to Outkast’s very first single, Although Pimp C, Bun B and Big Boi all came with killer verses, Andre’s opener set the pace perfectly. Ironically, his verse was a goodbye of sorts to his player days as he is committing to one woman for the rest of his life. He knows he is entering uncharted territory but he’s not trying to be a player anymore. His verse is romantic, idealistic, wistful but still with enough of an edge as to be very quotable. Keep your heart 3 stacks.

Two

“Sixteen” by Rick Ross

God Forgives, I Don’t (2013)

According to the song’s producers, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, this song was actually supposed to be the fourth part of Rick Ross’ “Maybach Music” series. But after seeing the direction Andre went with on his verse, the production duo decided to shelf their original plan. Maybe this speaks to the regard with which Andre 3000 is held in hip-hop circles or maybe the brilliance of his verse made the change worthwhile, but in any case “Sixteen” became a different song conceptually. It’s a simple enough song – what happens when you hear a beat so good and you become so inspired that sixteen bars (the average length of a verse) isn’t enough? Ross does a good job here as he puts aside his typically superficially luxurious raps down for something more mature. He drops a 32 bar full of reflection and introspection and yet when Dre comes in you could be forgiven for forgetting Rick Ross altogether. His 48(!) bars touch on his childhood, his rap dreams, his conflict over being a star, the socio-economic condition in the projects, the shallowness of his success and so on. As if that isn’t enough, he ends the song with a little singing and the playing of his guitar. It’s simply shows what a titanic MC is capable when they are allowed to let loose on a track. Much like this list’s number one song.

One

“Royal Flush” by Big Boi (also featuring Raekwon)

When Dre, Big Boi and Wu Tang Clan’s Raekwon first bonded in 1998, it led to one of the standout tracks in the Atlanta duo’s Aquemini album. “Skew It On the Bar-B” was such a groovy, funky, bouncy record that rap fans could only look forward to the trio collaborating again. So when Big Boi started working on his debut album ten years later, it’s little surprise that he reached out to both Dre and Rae for a sequel of sorts. But while “Skew It” was a showcase for each MC to show the best of their abilities, “Royal Flush” only served to show how desperate the world was for an Andre solo album. The track didn’t end up making it on Big Boi’s project and is as such an oft forgotten track when thinking of Dre’s best verses. But if ever there was a verse that summed up what his self-concept was, this was it. He elucidates and educates. He teaches and preaches. He shows his conscious side while inspiring listeners to do better. And as he concludes, “that’s all it’s all about, 3000 out.”

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