“Downright dreadful and awful – true f**king crap”: Jazz pianist Matthew Shipp takes aim at André 3000’s new piano EP

Music is probably the most subjective art form there is, and what sounds like a masterpiece to some may sound like, well, “atrocious shite” to others – as proven in jazz pianist Matthew Shipp’s response to André 3000’s new piano EP.

The new piano-based release, titled 7 Piano Sketches, landed on 5 May, shortly following the former Outkast creative’s bold Met Gala outfit featuring a grand piano strapped to his back. The release also follows on from his 2023 flute album, New Blue Sun, and Shipp is really not a fan.

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The EP is mostly improvisational, and in fact, André 3000 didn’t originally plan on sharing it. Most of the recordings were made using his iPhone or laptop microphone. At its release, he said in a statement, “These piano pieces weren’t recorded with the intention of presenting them in any formal way to the public. They were personal, at home recordings. I would sometimes text them to my family and friends.”

Despite this, Shipp seemingly thinks we’re all being taken for a ride with the release, and has branded it a “fraud” that “does not even deserve the attention of a critique it is so dreadful”. In a lengthy Facebook post, he says a friend told him about the EP, leading to his review.

“I think it is complete and utter crap, horrific-god awful insipidly wretched nothing,” he writes. “This is some atrocious shite – is he some type of fucking asshole? Is he a complete and utter dilettante? I could go into detail about why each cut is stillborn but why bother, it does not even deserve the attention of critique, it is so dreadful.

“The guy is not a pianist – that is the beginning and the end of it – what an ugly piano sound,” he continues. “What a lack of respect for the discipline by someone who in my opinion is a complete asshole for doing this. It is depressing that this garbage will get any attention because he has a name and fame.”

You can read the full post below:

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Shipp has since released another statement in light of his comments going viral, and has clarified, “I am sure Andre is a great guy and I am also sure there is no ill intent whatsoever. I should not have used the word asshole, but I stand by what else I said. He is an amazing hip-hop artist – all I ask is that he respect[s] the art of people who can really do a certain thing.”

André 3000 has not responded to Shipp’s comments at the time of writing.

The post “Downright dreadful and awful – true f**king crap”: Jazz pianist Matthew Shipp takes aim at André 3000’s new piano EP appeared first on MusicTech.

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