André 3000 Shows Up to the Met Gala With a Piano on His Back

When André 3000 walked into the 2024 Met Gala with a piano strapped to his back, fans knew something unexpected was coming. Turns out, it was more than just a bold fashion statement, it was the first look at his latest project: 7 Piano Sketches.

Released just after his Met Gala appearance, 7 Piano Sketches is a collection of solo instrumental pieces recorded entirely on piano. It’s André’s second solo album, following New Blue Sun, which was Grammy-nominated but left many hip-hop fans wishing for his famous lyrical wordplay.

This time, too, fans won’t find any verses or rap bars — just a raw, emotional soundscape.

In a press release, André 3000 revealed that 7 Piano Sketches was actually composed years ago, during a quiet period when he was living with his son in Texas. “There was nothing but a piano, beds, and TV screens,” he wrote.

In fact, the original working title was The Best Worst Rap Album In History ,a playful nod to the fact that there are no lyrics at all. “It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it. It’s the best because it’s the freest emotionally and the best I’ve felt personally,” André explained.

His Met Gala look also introduced the world to Benji Bixby, a new evolution of his earlier fashion brand, Benjamin Bixby. The bespoke piano piece he wore was crafted in partnership with Burberry and styled by Law Roach.

It fit perfectly with the night’s theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a celebration of craftsmanship, structure, Black history, and the art of dandyism.

7 Piano Sketches is now streaming across major platforms. For fans still hoping André would come back to rap, he left a cheeky note next to the tracklist:
(WARNING: NO BARS).

The tracklist includes:

• bluffing in the snow
• and then one day you’ll …
• when you’re an ant and you wake up in an awesome mood, about to drive your son to school, only to discover that you left the lights on in the car last night so your battery is drained
• hotel lobby pianos
• blueberry mansions
• off rhythm laughter
• i spend all day waiting for the night