Robert Glasper and Musiq Souldchild perform during the Black Radio Experience at Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa on Sept. 1, 2024. Matt Pang/STAFF. NAPA — André 3000 struck a high note with his final three sets of improvisational flute music during the Black Radio Experience at the Meritage…

Kamasi Washington, “Fearless Movement.” Historically, jazz has been under-appreciated as a genre in America. Legitimate musical geniuses, towering greats like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davis, had to travel to Europe, escaping American racism to find audiences sophisticated enough to dig what they were doing. It’s both a…

André 3000 performs at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco on Feb. 20, 2024. Courtesy Stephanie Port. SAN FRANCISCO — “I never thought I’d be onstage playing flutes,” André 3000 told the audience two thirds of the way through his early show at The Independent on Saturday. After a moment…

RIFF’s best albums of 2023 include the Rolling Stones, Blink-182, Cleo Sol, Miley Cyrus, Allison Russell, Victoria Monét, Kali Uchis, Fall Out Boy, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Manchester Orchestra, Janelle Monáe, JPEGMafia with Danny Brown, Blondshell, Doja Cat, Andre 3000, Mick Jenkins, Sir Chloe, Ryuchi Sakamoto, James…

André 3000, “New Blue Sun.” In a move almost no one had on their 2023 bingo card, OutKast rapper André 3000 released his first new record in 17 years—an album of instrumentals, with Benjamin playing flute. New Blue Sun Andre 3000 Epic Records, Nov. 17 9/10 Get the album on…

First off, let’s all breathe a sigh of relief that Kid Cudi gave up trying to be Kurt Cobain, like he did on his last album, Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, and actually made a hip hop album. Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ focuses on the same lyrical tropes that the Man…