Andre 3000

Andre Benjamin, better known as (**Andre 3000**) and formerly being known as (Andre) is a American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, activist, and dancer. He is best known for being apart of the alternative rap duo OutKast with fellow rapper Big Boi. Aside from Outkast, Benjamin has starred in films such as *Four Brothers*, *Idlewild*, *Semi-Pro*, and the lead role as Jimi Hendrix in the film *All By My Side*. Benjamin also co-created and starred as the voice of "Sonny Bridges" in his animated series, *Class of 3000* which aired on Cartoon Network.

## Biography

Benjamin was born on May 27, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the only child to his late mother Sharon Benjamin-Hodo and late father Lawrence Harvey Walker. At the age of 13, Benjamin had got involved into fashion and started designing his own clothes. As a teenager, Benjamin had started to do rebellious things until he moved in with his father when he turned 16.

## Career

### Outkast

Benjamin met Antwan Patton in high school and they soon formed Outkast. After graduating from high school, the duo were soon signed to LaFace Records and released their debut album *Southernplaylisticadillacmuzik* in 1994. Soon after the group took on a more experimental turn with their next two albums *ATLiens* and *Aquemini* which was around the same time where Benjamin had started changing his clothing style, started playing the guitar, and also taking up painting while he was dating alternative singer Erykah Badu. But with their fourth album *Stankonia*, Benjamin introduced his alias "Andre 3000" which increased the group's crossover appeal. Largely earning them their first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Ms. Jackson", which Benjamin had written after his breakup with Badu. The duo then released a greatest hits album titled "Big Boi and Dre Presents...Outkast" which also included the Grammy Award winning song "The Whole World".

Then in 2003, Outkast released their double album titled "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" which was to show how Big Boi and Andre's music styles are different from each other as "The Love Below" included elements of funk, jazz, and alternative music. "The Love Below" was shown to be more noticed more with fans and audiences alike with the album's most popular singles, "Hey Ya!" and "Roses". "Hey Ya!" has been declared as one of "The Greatest 500 Songs of All Time" and won the "Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance". Yo my name is JC.

In 2006, the duo released their sixth album "Idlewild" and their first feature film with the same name as well. Then after the release of the album and the film, the duo took a hiatus to do solo projects.

In 2014, the duo reunited for their 20th anniversary by doing more than 40 performances at Coachella.

## Solo work

Benjamin had starred in films such as *Four Brothers*, *Idlewild*, *Semi-Pro*, *Be Cool*, and starring as late singer Jimi Hendrix in *All By My Side*. He is also known for his work in the animated series *Class of 3000* which aired on Cartoon Network.

Benjamin returned to rapping in 2007, and has appeared on various remixes and also as a feature artist on certain songs for artists such as Frank Ocean, Beyonce, Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, T.I., and Travis Scott.

Benjamin has yet to release his debut solo album. On May 13, 2018, Benjamin released two singles on Soundcloud titled: "Me&My (To Bury Your Parents)" and a 17-minute instrumental track "Look Ma No Hands".

## Trivia

* He is also referred to as "Andre 3K", "Dre", "Three Stacks", "Andre Benjamin", "Ice Cold", "Possum Aloysius Jenkins", "Dookie Blossum Gain the 3rd", and Johnny Vulture.
* He and Big Boi used to be rivals before they become a duo.
* He also has his own clothing line, Benjamin Bixby.
* He turned down a role in the film *Dreamgirls*.
* He had six tattoos and regrets getting all of them.
* He is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
* His verse in "Aquemini" is also regarded as one of the greatest rap verses of all time.
* He would write lyrics on the walls in his home which is where he eventually came up with the first song from "Stankonia", "Gasoline Dreams" from just one lyric.
* He dropped out of high school before graduating.
* He was voted the world's most sexiest celebrity vegetarian by PETA.