Timing and Momentum: A Lesson From André 3000
Legendary rapper, Andre 3000, recently surprised everyone by releasing a new album. It's been a long time since he made his own music, so it's exciting for a lot of people. I've watched several interviews with him, and I'm really captivated by his perspective on the world and art. He hasn't been in the public eye much since his peak fame in the 2000s, so everyone, including myself, has been wondering where he's been. Outkast took the world by storm, and a large part of that was Andre being his own charismatic self. You can't tell me that you don't feel energized and compelled to dance when you hear "Hey Ya!" or "I Like The Way You Move." They’re so timeless, and often I miss when Outkast would put out bangers like that.
In a recent interview with GQ, Andre said something really meaningful that I wanted to share with everyone. He said, "Timing and momentum is more important than talent.” This really resonated with me. As creative individuals, we often question why we haven't been noticed or why our moment hasn't arrived yet.
I HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD AND I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. WHY HASN’T (insert famous person here) DISCOVERED ME YET!!!!11!!
Hey Keith, take it easy. I get you, and I feel for you too. We all dream of being discovered and becoming rich and famous, but it's not that easy. Success requires more than just one moment of triumph. Mark Manson wisely said something like, you shouldn’t constantly be thinking about your accomplishments just like you shouldn’t dwell on your failures. This is true because success doesn't guarantee a lifetime of fulfillment and prosperity. Instead, it's the small victories and ongoing growth that shape a meaningful and exciting life.
Even though I've worked with famous people and big companies around the country, I haven't achieved crazy success yet either. I still stress about paying my bills and rent every month. I still have to keep chasing after the next thing while letting successes stay in the past. Let this serve as a reminder to stay focused and work even harder. Keep your head down and all you can do is hope for the best. There’s a lot of luck involved too that I think many people overlook.
Here’s a harsh (and maybe a bit cynical) take from Bo Burnham.
Important Takeaways:
Timing - Andre 3000 didn’t become an overnight success. It took him years to perfect his craft, and he worked his butt off. It was one perfect opportunity after another, and the cultural zeitgeist at the time Outkast blew up was exactly what the world needed.
Momentum - To be a successful artist, it's important to maintain consistency. However, this doesn't mean exhausting yourself or producing meaningless or excessive content. It's essential to focus on improvement and continuous growth.
Talent - Andre 3000 is an extremely talented musician and artist, but he never let that get to his head. He did not rest on his talent alone. He was dedicated and worked hard to constantly excel at his craft. Talent is important, but don’t let it be a crutch or an excuse to not put in the work. Education and continuous growth are irreplaceable, with no shortcuts. So there you have it. Keep your head down. Do a backflip.
