Imagine getting a notification on your phone with the subject line: André 3000’s new short film x Blackstack?
THE ANDRÉ 3000 BRUH!
The short film 7 piano sketches, which is exclusively streaming on MUBI was released on Juneteenth this year, the same day I celebrated two years of founding Blackstack. The film was written by André 3000 and Graham Mason, and directed by Graham Mason, inspired and set to the music of the EP, 7 piano sketches, released in 2025.
If you enjoyed the EP released back in 2023, New Blue Sun, or as most of us know it as “the flute album,” then you are going to love the vibes of 7 piano sketches. This man is talented!
This film is an ode to the art, connection, and the human experience. It draws on comedic elements throughout the silent film era, highlighting the passing of time and yearning to create. The EP soundtracks the short film as André 3000 travels to work with a piano strapped to his back and a notebook full of sketches in hand, documenting moments in time that capture his attention.
Here’s a fun fact: the solo piano EP was partially composed and recorded before New Blue Sun, which I must mention earned André 3000 three GRAMMY nominations, including Album Of The Year. Almost a decade ago, when staying in Texas with his son, with only a piano, their beds, and TVs, the beginning of 7 piano sketches was brought to life.
Is that not remarkable?
No wonder this man wrote a short film using the EP as the soundtrack because this rollout is truly a work of art!
“The original title for it was ‘The Best Worst Rap Album In History.’
‘It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all. It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
- André 3000
Watch 7 Piano Sketches Short Film: https://mubi.com/en/us/films/7-piano-sketches
As the person who’s constantly educating the importance of independent artists’ ownership, I want to highlight his website, https://www.andre3000.com. The rollout with merch and home of his most recent independent projects is truly remarkable to see in this way, and I feel it could serve as an inspiration for us all.
I can’t share a sneak peek, but I found this on Graham Mason’s Instagram page, so can we give it up one time for my journalism skills!?
André 3000’s team is providing a poster based on his sketches as a prize in a giveaway. If you want to enter the giveaway, here are the details:
Must be subscribed to Blackstack
You must watch the short film on MUBI
Post a screenshot from this newsletter in your stories on Instagram, tagging André 3000 and Jacquie
Come back to the comments on this post and share your favorite track name from the EP after you complete steps 1-3
BONUS: Restack this post with your honest thoughts of the film
Chris Davis shared this painting he did of André 3000, and I had to find a way to incorporate it into this newsletter. Chris gave me the backstory on the painting:
On the surface level this is a nod to an artist that’s mastered his craft and the city that birthed him. The wrinkle added was to dress him at his current 50+ age in the “uniform” he wore in all the videos for the first album that came out when he was 18...Braves jersey, gold chain, kangol.
In each step of his creative journey, there’ve been people wanting to pull him back to where he was before because that’s what they preferred. They’d rather he not evolve. Some didn’t like the turbans, poetry and “weird” clothes, after that they didn’t like the perm era where he was singing more than rapping. Now some would rather he put the flute down and at least speak on songs.
With this piece Davis wanted to portray him as he might be if he listened to critics, played it safe, and never evolved from where he was. When he was 18 and never pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with rap.
It’s a nod to the artists journey and all the wonderful twists and turns it can take...especially when you create what moves you without compromising and worrying about whether other people might approve.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.