André 3000
Encyclopedia
André Lauren Benjamin better known by his stage name André 3000 (formerly known as Dre, no association with Dr. Dre
) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter
, multi-instrumentalist
, record producer
and actor
, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast
alongside fellow rapper Big Boi
. As an actor, Benjamin has made appearances in a number of TV series and films, including Families
, The Shield
, Be Cool
, Revolver, Semi-Pro
, and Four Brothers
.
In addition to music and acting, Benjamin has also been an active entrepreneur. In the spring of 2008, he launched a clothing line called Benjamin Bixby. He has also been an advocate for animal rights
. He is also known for his work on the Cartoon Network
animated series Class of 3000
.
, the only child of Sharon Benjamin Hodor, a single mother who sold real estate
, and Lawrence Walker, a collections agent. He is of African American
and Native American
descent. Growing up in East Point, Georgia
and Buckhead
, Benjamin saw many different lifestyles related to clothing and music that he combined throughout his career. He attended Willis A. Sutton Middle School, SouthWest Dekalb High School, Newton High School,
and Tri-Cities High School.
. Benjamin & Patton teamed up to form Outkast. Shortly after graduating high school, the duo were signed to the Atlanta-based LaFace label and released their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
, in 1994. Buoyed by the success of the single "Player's Ball", the album went platinum by the end of the year and Outkast was named Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards.
On their next two albums, ATLiens
and Aquemini
, Outkast experimented with their sound by adding elements of trip-hop, soul
, and jungle
. Benjamin's lyrics in particular took on a more surreal
, space-age tinge. At this time Benjamin took up the guitar and painting and became involved with singer Erykah Badu
.
Outkast's fourth album, Stankonia
, saw Benjamin take on the new name of Andre 3000 (largely to distinguish himself from Dr. Dre
) and increased the group's crossover appeal with the single "Ms. Jackson
", which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100
. The song was written in the aftermath of Benjamin's breakup with Badu and was a fictionalized account of the disintegration of their relationship.
In 2001, Outkast released a greatest hits album, Big Boi and Dre Present... OutKast, which contained three new tracks. One track, "The Whole World
", won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Later that year, Benjamin participated in the Dungeon Family
group album, which saw a number of prominent Atlanta-based hip-hop groups combine into a supergroup
.
In 2003, Outkast released Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
, a double album which highlighted the differences in the musical styles of the group's two members. Benjamin's half of the album, The Love Below, garnered the most attention from mainstream audiences, with the popular singles "Hey Ya!
" and "Roses
". The album's fourth single and video
(Benjamin's third), "Prototype", was released shortly after. Big Boi's Speakerboxxx spawned the #1 hit "The Way You Move
" and the relatively successful "Ghetto Musick". The Love Below was, unlike Speakerboxxx, an exercise in funk, jazz, and alternative
music, featuring mostly sung (instead of rapped) vocals from Benjamin.
In 2006 OutKast released their sixth album as a group Idlewild
. The album served as a soundtrack to the group's musical film Idlewild
. The film centered around life in a 1930s setting, and the album took influences from music of that era, particularly blues. Benjamin had a few rapped verses on the album, including on the first single "Mighty O
", but mostly stuck with singing as on The Love Below.
He returned to rapping in 2007, after a hiatus from the genre, appearing on various remix
es, including: "Walk It Out
", "Throw Some D's
", "You
", Jay-Z
's "30 Something
", and original songs such as UGK
's "International Players Anthem", Devin the Dude
's "What A Job", Fonzworth Bentley
's "Everybody", and with Big Boi "Royal Flush
" and the leaked single "Lookin For Ya". He also appeared on John Legend
's album, Evolver
, on the track "Green Light
", which was released on October 28, 2008. Prior to the release, Benjamin commented: "It's going to be a surprise for a lot of John Legend fans, because it is a lot more upbeat than John is—than people think John is. I was actually happy to hear it. This is a cool John Legend song."
Benjamin has stated that he is making a solo rap album, and that the response to his remixes is part of the motivation for it.
In 2010, he was featured on Ciara
's remix for her hit single "Ride
", from the album Basic Instinct
.
On 30 July 2010, Big Boi revealed in an interview that Outkast would release a new album "as soon as Dre finishes his album" stating that Dre is indeed recording an album. He added that they have the beats recorded for the new Outkast album and will continue recording as soon as Dre is done. A snippet of a track titled "I Do" was leaked August 2010 that featured a new rap verse by Benjamin.
On January 14, 2011, a song with Ke$ha called "The Sleazy Remix" was leaked.
On June 7, 2011, Beyonce's song "Party" was leaked, it features Benjamin, it is his first collaboration with the singer. It is also featured on Beyonce's fourth studio album entitled 4 released June 24, 2011.
On August 24, 2011, Lil Wayne's album Tha Carter IV
leaked, featuring a song entitled "Interlude" with Benjamin and fellow rapper Tech N9ne
performing. Wayne had previously expressed a desire to work with both artists.
Also In 2011 Andre featured on Chris Browns 'Deuces' remix as well as on a LLoyd song 'Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)' with Lil Wayne
, The Shield
(he plays Robert Huggins, a character that originated in an episode titled “On Tilt” from Season 3 in 2004), Be Cool
, Revolver, Semi Pro, and Four Brothers
. He was also cast as Percival in Idlewild
, released on August 26, 2006. He is currently shooting a movie with Big Boi for HBO. He is also currently working on an as-of-yet untitled project, filming on location in Louisiana
and is being produced by Chesley Seals and Kat Hantas. He voiced a crow in Charlotte's Web
, a movie adaptation of the 1952 children's book
. As of November 2006, he voiced "Sunny Bridges," a prize-winning musician who gives up touring to teach at his alma mater
, in Class of 3000
, an animated series he produced on Cartoon Network
. He has also worked with Esthero
on a promotional version of "Jungle Book" which was on a Wikked lil' grrrls sampler, but never made it to the actual album due to issues with Esthero's label, Warner Bros.
.
The following year, he appeared in the basketball comedy Semi-Pro
, with Woody Harrelson
and Will Ferrell
. He also starred in the 2008 film Battle in Seattle
, a film about the 1999 Seattle World Trade Organization protests
.
Benjamin was a member of Quentin Tarantino
and Lawrence Bender
's production company A Band Apart
until its close in 2006; he then formed his own company, Moxie Turtle.
, Benjamin was voted by PETA
to be the 'World's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity. He is also childhood friends with Fonzworth Bentley
. Andre also has a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin (born 1997) with R&B singer Erykah Badu
.
in March 2009 after being caught speeding in his 2007 Porsche Carrera. He was driving at 109 mph in a 65 mph speed zone (approximately 175 km/h in a 105 km/h zone).
, a campaign encouraging voter registration among youth for the 2008 United States presidential election
. In the ads by photographer David LaChapelle
, he has his mouth gagged by a bow-tie in a symbolic function. The ads drew national attention.
2003
Big Gipp
– Mutant Mindframe
Kelis
– Tasty
Killer Mike
– Monster
2004
Gwen Stefani
– Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
2010
Big Boi
– Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
2011
Lil Wayne
- Tha Carter IV
Drake
- Take Care
, as well as beta testing the game.
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
alongside fellow rapper Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
. As an actor, Benjamin has made appearances in a number of TV series and films, including Families
Families (TV series)
Families was a daytime soap opera produced by Granada Television and created by Kay Mellor. It followed two families; the Thompsons, based in Cheshire, England , and the Stevens, living in Sydney, Australia....
, The Shield
The Shield
The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
, Be Cool
Be Cool
Be Cool is a 2005 crime-comedy film adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel of the same name and the sequel to Leonard's 1990 novel Get Shorty about mobster Chili Palmer's entrance into the film industry.The film adaptation of Be Cool began production in 2003. It was directed by F...
, Revolver, Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan...
, and Four Brothers
Four Brothers (film)
Four Brothers is a 2005 action crime film directed by John Singleton. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. The film was shot in Detroit, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada...
.
In addition to music and acting, Benjamin has also been an active entrepreneur. In the spring of 2008, he launched a clothing line called Benjamin Bixby. He has also been an advocate for animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
. He is also known for his work on the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
animated series Class of 3000
Class of 3000
Class of 3000 is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network that was created by, was executively produced by, and starred André 3000 of the Hip Hop group OutKast as superstar and music teacher Sunny Bridges, set at Atlanta, Georgia's Westley School of Performing Arts. Mr...
.
Early life
Benjamin was born in Coral Springs, FloridaCoral Springs, Florida
Coral Springs, officially chartered July 10, 1963, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States, approximately northwest of Fort Lauderdale. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 121,096...
, the only child of Sharon Benjamin Hodor, a single mother who sold real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
, and Lawrence Walker, a collections agent. He is of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
descent. Growing up in East Point, Georgia
East Point, Georgia
The city of East Point is southwest of the neighborhoods of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,712...
and Buckhead
Buckhead, Georgia
Buckhead is a town in Morgan County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2008 census, the town had a total population of 233 people.-Geography:Buckhead is located at .reference...
, Benjamin saw many different lifestyles related to clothing and music that he combined throughout his career. He attended Willis A. Sutton Middle School, SouthWest Dekalb High School, Newton High School,
and Tri-Cities High School.
Music career
In high school, Benjamin (who was then performing as "Dre") met Antwan "Big Boi" PattonBig Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
. Benjamin & Patton teamed up to form Outkast. Shortly after graduating high school, the duo were signed to the Atlanta-based LaFace label and released their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is the debut album of hip-hop duo OutKast, released April 26, 1994 on LaFace Records. Recorded at D.A.R.P. Studios, Purple Dragon, Bosstown and Doppler Studios in Atlanta, Georgia throughout 1992 to 1994, the album featured production by the Atlanta-area production...
, in 1994. Buoyed by the success of the single "Player's Ball", the album went platinum by the end of the year and Outkast was named Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards.
On their next two albums, ATLiens
ATLiens
Upon its release, ATLiens received positive reviews from music publications such as The Hartford Courant, Rolling Stone, and The Washington Post...
and Aquemini
Aquemini
Aquemini is the third studio album by hip hop duo OutKast, released September 29, 1998 on LaFace Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius and Gemini...
, Outkast experimented with their sound by adding elements of trip-hop, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
. Benjamin's lyrics in particular took on a more surreal
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, space-age tinge. At this time Benjamin took up the guitar and painting and became involved with singer Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
.
Outkast's fourth album, Stankonia
Stankonia
Stankonia is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released October 31, 2000 on La Face Records. The album debuted at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 530,000 copies the first week. Stankonia received general acclaim from music critics, based on an aggregate...
, saw Benjamin take on the new name of Andre 3000 (largely to distinguish himself from Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
) and increased the group's crossover appeal with the single "Ms. Jackson
Ms. Jackson
"Ms. Jackson" is a song by OutKast and the second single from their fourth album Stankonia. It topped the U.S. charts for the week of February 17, 2001, and won a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. It also reached number one in Germany and number two in the United...
", which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song was written in the aftermath of Benjamin's breakup with Badu and was a fictionalized account of the disintegration of their relationship.
In 2001, Outkast released a greatest hits album, Big Boi and Dre Present... OutKast, which contained three new tracks. One track, "The Whole World
The Whole World
"The Whole World" is the first single to be released from OutKast's first compilation album, Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast. The song managed to peak at number 19 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The single features Killer Mike and Joi...
", won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Later that year, Benjamin participated in the Dungeon Family
Dungeon Family
The Dungeon Family is a hip hop/R&B/soul musical collective, based in Atlanta, Georgia and specializing in Southern hip hop with heavy funk and soul influences. The group derives its name from "The Dungeon", the name given to record producer Rico Wade's basement studio where many of the early...
group album, which saw a number of prominent Atlanta-based hip-hop groups combine into a supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
.
In 2003, Outkast released Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released September 23, 2003 on LaFace Records in the United States. Issued as a double album, it clocks in at over two hours and consists of a solo album from both of the group's members...
, a double album which highlighted the differences in the musical styles of the group's two members. Benjamin's half of the album, The Love Below, garnered the most attention from mainstream audiences, with the popular singles "Hey Ya!
Hey Ya!
"Hey Ya!" is a song written and produced by André 3000 for his 2003 album The Love Below, part of the hip hop duo OutKast's double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The song takes influence from funk and rock music...
" and "Roses
Roses (Outkast song)
"Roses" is a track by OutKast from their 2003 double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. It appears on André 3000's The Love Below disc, and is the only track on his disc to feature Big Boi. The track was largely popular in the United Kingdom and United States where it peaked at #4 on the UK Singles...
". The album's fourth single and video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
(Benjamin's third), "Prototype", was released shortly after. Big Boi's Speakerboxxx spawned the #1 hit "The Way You Move
The Way You Move
"The Way You Move" is a 2003 number-one single recorded by Big Boi of the hip-hop duo OutKast, released by LaFace Records. The song features OutKast mentor Sleepy Brown on guest vocals...
" and the relatively successful "Ghetto Musick". The Love Below was, unlike Speakerboxxx, an exercise in funk, jazz, and alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
music, featuring mostly sung (instead of rapped) vocals from Benjamin.
In 2006 OutKast released their sixth album as a group Idlewild
Idlewild (OutKast album)
Idlewild is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released August 22, 2006 on LaFace Records. It also serves as the soundtrack album to the duo's musical film of the same name, released by Universal Pictures in August 2006...
. The album served as a soundtrack to the group's musical film Idlewild
Idlewild (film)
Idlewild is an American musical film, released August 25, 2006, written and directed by Bryan Barber. The film stars André 3000 and Big Boi of the hip hop duo OutKast, and Idlewild features musical numbers written, produced, and chiefly performed by OutKast...
. The film centered around life in a 1930s setting, and the album took influences from music of that era, particularly blues. Benjamin had a few rapped verses on the album, including on the first single "Mighty O
Mighty O
"Mighty 'O" is the first single released from OutKast's sixth studio album, Idlewild. The single was only released in the United States, and is one of only three songs from the album in which both members of OutKast appear together. The other two are "Hollywood Divorce" and "PJ & Rooster"...
", but mostly stuck with singing as on The Love Below.
He returned to rapping in 2007, after a hiatus from the genre, appearing on various remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es, including: "Walk It Out
Walk It Out
"Walk It Out" is the debut single of rapper Unk from his debut album Beat'n Down Yo Block! The song has been played on the radio in Atlanta since March 2006 but gained popularity nationwide in September 2006. The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him the first top-ten single of...
", "Throw Some D's
Throw Some D's
"Throw Some D's" is the first single off the self-titled album of rap artist Rich Boy, and his most commercially successful song to date. The single was produced by Butta and Polow da Don....
", "You
You (Lloyd song)
"You" is the title of a song by R&B artist Lloyd featuring rapper Lil Wayne, and was produced by Big Reese for Lloyd's second studio album, Street Love. It was recorded in the producer's basement. It is the first official single off the album. Lloyd himself has reported that he leaked the song to...
", Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's "30 Something
30 Something (song)
"30 Something" is the third single from Jay-Z's album Kingdom Come and was produced by Dr. Dre. The main theme of the song is Jay undermining "flossin" as pertaining to the general view on hip hop...
", and original songs such as UGK
UGK
UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
's "International Players Anthem", Devin the Dude
Devin the Dude
Devin Copeland , better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79"....
's "What A Job", Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley
Derrick Watkins, in Atlanta, Georgia and popularly known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents...
's "Everybody", and with Big Boi "Royal Flush
Royal Flush (song)
"Royal Flush" is a single by American rapper and OutKast member Big Boi. The track features fellow OutKast member André 3000 and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. It was the first time the three rappers collaborated with each other in 10 years since "Skew It on the Bar-B" in 1998...
" and the leaked single "Lookin For Ya". He also appeared on John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
's album, Evolver
Evolver (John Legend album)
Evolver is the third studio album by R&B/soul singer John Legend, released by GOOD Music and Columbia Records on October 28, 2008 in the United States and on October 20 in the United Kingdom. It features guest appearances by Kanye West, Brandy, Estelle and Andre 3000, among others.The album debuted...
, on the track "Green Light
Green Light (John Legend song)
"Green Light" is the first single from John Legend's album Evolver. The song is produced by Malay and KP and features André 3000 of OutKast. The song was released as a single download on July 29, 2008....
", which was released on October 28, 2008. Prior to the release, Benjamin commented: "It's going to be a surprise for a lot of John Legend fans, because it is a lot more upbeat than John is—than people think John is. I was actually happy to hear it. This is a cool John Legend song."
Benjamin has stated that he is making a solo rap album, and that the response to his remixes is part of the motivation for it.
In 2010, he was featured on Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
's remix for her hit single "Ride
Ride (Ciara song)
"Ride" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara. The song features American rapper Ludacris. It was co-written by Ciara, Ludacris, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream, and produced by the latter two. The song serves as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Basic Instinct. The song...
", from the album Basic Instinct
Basic Instinct (album)
Basic Instinct is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Ciara, released from December 10, 2010 by LaFace Records . Executively produced by A&R agent Mark Pitts, Ciara, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Basic Instinct returnes Ciara to her urban roots with mid-tempo R&B cuts and...
.
On 30 July 2010, Big Boi revealed in an interview that Outkast would release a new album "as soon as Dre finishes his album" stating that Dre is indeed recording an album. He added that they have the beats recorded for the new Outkast album and will continue recording as soon as Dre is done. A snippet of a track titled "I Do" was leaked August 2010 that featured a new rap verse by Benjamin.
On January 14, 2011, a song with Ke$ha called "The Sleazy Remix" was leaked.
On June 7, 2011, Beyonce's song "Party" was leaked, it features Benjamin, it is his first collaboration with the singer. It is also featured on Beyonce's fourth studio album entitled 4 released June 24, 2011.
On August 24, 2011, Lil Wayne's album Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011 through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records...
leaked, featuring a song entitled "Interlude" with Benjamin and fellow rapper Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
performing. Wayne had previously expressed a desire to work with both artists.
Also In 2011 Andre featured on Chris Browns 'Deuces' remix as well as on a LLoyd song 'Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)' with Lil Wayne
Andre's music aliases
Early in Andre's career and prior to his major-market success, Benjamin developed several aliases that he used in various attempts to establish recognition and develop his fan base. His aliases ranged from simply Dre' to lucrative and humorous names such as Possum Aloysius Jenkins. His biggest alias prior to his career with Outkast was "the Feat" or simply, Feat. Andre is now most commonly referred to as Andre 3000, or simply 3 stacksFilm career
Benjamin has made appearances in FamiliesFamilies (TV series)
Families was a daytime soap opera produced by Granada Television and created by Kay Mellor. It followed two families; the Thompsons, based in Cheshire, England , and the Stevens, living in Sydney, Australia....
, The Shield
The Shield
The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
(he plays Robert Huggins, a character that originated in an episode titled “On Tilt” from Season 3 in 2004), Be Cool
Be Cool
Be Cool is a 2005 crime-comedy film adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel of the same name and the sequel to Leonard's 1990 novel Get Shorty about mobster Chili Palmer's entrance into the film industry.The film adaptation of Be Cool began production in 2003. It was directed by F...
, Revolver, Semi Pro, and Four Brothers
Four Brothers (film)
Four Brothers is a 2005 action crime film directed by John Singleton. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. The film was shot in Detroit, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada...
. He was also cast as Percival in Idlewild
Idlewild (film)
Idlewild is an American musical film, released August 25, 2006, written and directed by Bryan Barber. The film stars André 3000 and Big Boi of the hip hop duo OutKast, and Idlewild features musical numbers written, produced, and chiefly performed by OutKast...
, released on August 26, 2006. He is currently shooting a movie with Big Boi for HBO. He is also currently working on an as-of-yet untitled project, filming on location in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and is being produced by Chesley Seals and Kat Hantas. He voiced a crow in Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web (2006 film)
Charlotte's Web is a 2006 American live-action/computer-animated feature film, based on the popular book of the same name by E. B. White. It is directed by Gary Winick and produced by Paramount Pictures, Walden Media, The K Entertainment Company, and Nickelodeon Movies...
, a movie adaptation of the 1952 children's book
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web is an award-winning children's novel by acclaimed American author E. B. White, about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte. The book was first published in 1952, with illustrations by Garth Williams.The novel tells the story...
. As of November 2006, he voiced "Sunny Bridges," a prize-winning musician who gives up touring to teach at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, in Class of 3000
Class of 3000
Class of 3000 is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network that was created by, was executively produced by, and starred André 3000 of the Hip Hop group OutKast as superstar and music teacher Sunny Bridges, set at Atlanta, Georgia's Westley School of Performing Arts. Mr...
, an animated series he produced on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
. He has also worked with Esthero
Esthero
Esthero ,born Jenny-Bea Englishman, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. The name Esthero refers both to the singer and formerly to the two-person team of herself and producer Doc McKinney...
on a promotional version of "Jungle Book" which was on a Wikked lil' grrrls sampler, but never made it to the actual album due to issues with Esthero's label, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
.
The following year, he appeared in the basketball comedy Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan...
, with Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson
Woodrow Tracy "Woody" Harrelson is an American actor.Harrelson's breakthrough role came in the television sitcom Cheers as bartender Woody Boyd...
and Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
. He also starred in the 2008 film Battle in Seattle
Battle in Seattle
Battle in Seattle is a 2007 film and the directorial debut of actor Stuart Townsend. It is based on the protest activity at the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999...
, a film about the 1999 Seattle World Trade Organization protests
WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 protest activity
Protest activity surrounding the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999, which was to be the launch of a new millennial round of trade negotiations, occurred on November 30, 1999 , when the World Trade Organization convened at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington,...
.
Benjamin was a member of Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
and Lawrence Bender
Lawrence Bender
Lawrence Bender is an American film producer. He rose to fame by producing Reservoir Dogs in 1992 and has since produced all of Quentin Tarantino's films with the exception of Death Proof....
's production company A Band Apart
A Band Apart
A Band Apart Films was a production company created by Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender, which was active from 1991 to about 2006. Its name is a play on the French New Wave classic, Bande à part by filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, whose work was highly influential on the work of the company's members...
until its close in 2006; he then formed his own company, Moxie Turtle.
Fashion
He launched the "Benjamin Bixby" clothing line in spring of 2008, inspired by college football circa 1935.Personal life
In 2004, alongside Alicia SilverstoneAlicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone is an American actress, author, and former fashion model. She first came to widespread attention in music videos for Aerosmith, and is perhaps best known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Clueless and her portrayal of Batgirl in Batman & Robin .-Early life:Silverstone...
, Benjamin was voted by PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
to be the 'World's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity. He is also childhood friends with Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley
Derrick Watkins, in Atlanta, Georgia and popularly known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents...
. Andre also has a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin (born 1997) with R&B singer Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
.
Arrest
Benjamin was arrested in Henry County, GeorgiaHenry County, Georgia
Henry County is a growing suburban county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 119,341. As of 2010, the county's population swelled to 203,922, up 70.9% from the previous census and becoming Georgia's 8th most populous county and the 10th fastest growing...
in March 2009 after being caught speeding in his 2007 Porsche Carrera. He was driving at 109 mph in a 65 mph speed zone (approximately 175 km/h in a 105 km/h zone).
Politics and endorsements
Benjamin posed for a print advertising campaign by Declare YourselfDeclare Yourself
Declare Yourself is a campaign initiated during the 2004 United States presidential elections to encourage young people to register to vote. It began as the "Declaration of Independence Road Trip", a 50-city cross-country tour of a rare Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence lasting ...
, a campaign encouraging voter registration among youth for the 2008 United States presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. In the ads by photographer David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle is a photographer and director who works in the fields of fashion, advertising, and fine art photography, and is noted for his surreal, unique, sexualized, and often humorous style.-Early life:...
, he has his mouth gagged by a bow-tie in a symbolic function. The ads drew national attention.
Solo production discography
Note: Andre also helped produce several songs on OutKast's albums with partner Big Boi, usually credited as just OutKast or as their production alias Earthtone III.2003
Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
– Mutant Mindframe
Mutant Mindframe
Mutant Mindframe is the only solo release from Big Gipp, of Goodie Mob fame, recorded during his short stint away from the group. It was released in 2003 under Koch Records for Gipp to express his other-worldy musical inclinations that didn't fit with Goodie Mob's Southern lifestyle, conscious...
- 07. "Boogie Man" (featuring André 3000)
Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
– Tasty
- 08. "MillionaireMillionaire (song)"Millionaire" is a song by American R&B singer–songwriter Kelis, featuring American singer–rapper André 3000—half of the hip hop duo OutKast. Written by Kelis and André 3000 who also served as the producer, the song was released in October 2004 as the third single from Kelis' third studio album,...
" (featuring André 3000)
Killer Mike
Killer Mike
Michael Render , better known by his stage name Killer Mike, is an American rapper, signed to Grind Time Official through the SMC/Fontana Distribution...
– Monster
Monster (Killer Mike album)
Monster is a the debut album by rapper Killer Mike.- Track listing :# "Monster " # "Monster"# "Akshon " # "Rap Is Dead"# "Scared Straight"# "All 4 U "...
- 03. "Akshon (Yeah!)" (featuring OutkastOutKastOutkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
) - 09. "U Know I Love U"
2004
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
– Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby. is the debut solo studio album by American recording artist Gwen Stefani, released in the United States on November 23, 2004 by Interscope Records...
- 05. "Bubble Pop Electric" (featuring Johnny Vulture)
- 12. "Long Way to Go" (featuring André 3000)
2010
Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
– Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
- 08. "You Ain't No DJ" (featuring YelawolfYelawolfMichael Wayne Atha , better known by his stage name YelaWolf, is an American rapper. He is currently signed to Shady Records, Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment and Interscope Records...
)
2011
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
- Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011 through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records...
- 08. Interlude (featuring Tech N9neTech N9neAaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
)
Drake
Drake
- People :* Drake ** Notably Sir Francis Drake , an English sea captain and politician of the Elizabethan era* Drake * Drake , stage name of Aubrey Drake Graham, Canadian recording artist and actor- Places :...
- Take Care
Take Care
Take Care is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Drake, released November 15, 2011, on Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records. It is the follow-up to his 2010 debut album Thank Me Later. Production for the album took place during 2010 to 2011 and was handled by Noah "40"...
- 14. The Real Her (featuring Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
)
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Hollywood Homicide Hollywood Homicide Hollywood Homicide is a 2003 American action comedy film starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.The film also features Lena Olin, Lolita Davidovich, Martin Landau, Bruce Greenwood, Isaiah Washington, Keith David, Dwight Yoakam and Master P in supporting roles, with Eric Idle making a cameo... |
Silk Brown | |
| 2005 | Be Cool Be Cool Be Cool is a 2005 crime-comedy film adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel of the same name and the sequel to Leonard's 1990 novel Get Shorty about mobster Chili Palmer's entrance into the film industry.The film adaptation of Be Cool began production in 2003. It was directed by F... |
Dabu | |
| Four Brothers Four Brothers (film) Four Brothers is a 2005 action crime film directed by John Singleton. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. The film was shot in Detroit, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada... |
Jeremiah Mercer | ||
| Volcano High | Kim Yung Soo | Voice only | |
| Revolver | Avi | ||
| 2006 | OutKast: Idlewild Idlewild (film) Idlewild is an American musical film, released August 25, 2006, written and directed by Bryan Barber. The film stars André 3000 and Big Boi of the hip hop duo OutKast, and Idlewild features musical numbers written, produced, and chiefly performed by OutKast... |
Percival | |
| Charlotte's Web Charlotte's Web (2006 film) Charlotte's Web is a 2006 American live-action/computer-animated feature film, based on the popular book of the same name by E. B. White. It is directed by Gary Winick and produced by Paramount Pictures, Walden Media, The K Entertainment Company, and Nickelodeon Movies... |
Elwyn the Crow | Voice only | |
| Scary Movie 4 Scary Movie 4 Scary Movie 4 is the fourth film of the Scary Movie franchise, directed by David Zucker, written by Jim Abrahams, Craig Mazin and Pat Proft, and produced by Craig Mazin and Robert K. Weiss. It is distributed by The Weinstein Company via its Dimension Films unit in the U.S. and Television, and... |
Jack | Uncredited | |
| 2007 | Fracture Fracture (2007 film) Fracture is a 2007 legal/crime suspense film from New Line Cinema and Castle Rock Entertainment, directed by Gregory Hoblit, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling... |
George | |
| Battle in Seattle Battle in Seattle Battle in Seattle is a 2007 film and the directorial debut of actor Stuart Townsend. It is based on the protest activity at the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999... |
Django | ||
| 2008 | Semi-Pro Semi-Pro Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan... |
Clarence Withers/Coffee Black/Downtown "Funky Stuff" Malone/Sugar Dunkerton/"Jumping" Johnny Johnson | |
| 2012 | Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted | Zuba | Voice only |
Television
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004; 2008 | The Shield The Shield The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons... |
Comic Book Store Owner then later politician, Robert Huggins | two episodes, including series finale episode |
| 2006–2007 | Class of 3000 Class of 3000 Class of 3000 is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network that was created by, was executively produced by, and starred André 3000 of the Hip Hop group OutKast as superstar and music teacher Sunny Bridges, set at Atlanta, Georgia's Westley School of Performing Arts. Mr... |
Sunny Bridges | Twenty Six episodes |
| 2008 | About a Girl About A Girl (TV series) About a Girl is a Canadian comedy series which premiered on October 5, 2007 on The N in the U.S. and Global in Canada. It was the first scripted comedy for The N. The series ended with 13 episodes in its only season.-Plot:... |
Security guard | Single episode |
Video games
Benjamin provided his voice for the 2005 video game L.A. RushL.A. Rush
L.A. Rush is the 4th installment in the Rush series of video games. It was released in North America for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles on October 10, 2005 and on October 21 in Europe. The PC version was released on November 4 in Europe. PlayStation Portable version was released on October 30,...
, as well as beta testing the game.