FUSE TV - Andre 3000 on OutKast Reunion: "I Never Want to Mislead Our Audience"

Despite each individual member enjoying fruitful careers and their last album underwhelming many fans, anything less than an actual OutKast reunion is a death knell of apocalyptic proportions for fans of the influential Atlanta hip hop duo.

So when Frank Ocean sorta-kinda-not-really-whatsoever got both Big Boi and Andre 3000 to appear on his remix for "Pink Matter," the Internet went nuts, even though the difference between what Ocean did and what you could've done on your laptop is pretty minimal. But let's move on.

Andre clarified things a bit today to Spin, discussing how the collaboration came to be, his appearance on T.I.'s "Sorry" and unequivocally stating that, no, OutKast are not "back," despite the collective will of the Internet. Said Andre:

"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 what this isn't is an OutKast reunion. But what this is is still a pretty solid offering from two rappers whose lyrical skills haven't diminished after nearly 20 years. We'll take it.