André 3000 carried a baby grand piano into the 2025 Met Gala shortly after dropping a surprise new album.
The Outkast star, real name André Benjamin, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday night wearing a Burberry x Benji Bixby jumpsuit with the instrument strapped to his back.
In the lead-up to the annual fashion event, André released an instrumental album titled 7 Piano Sketches, with the cover art depicting him carrying a piano on his back.
Speaking to GQ, the musician - who founded the Benjamin Bixby fashion line in 2008 - noted that he dreamed up the concept himself.
"It's saying a lot for this little bitty piano album, which is kind of hilarious to me," he smiled.
While stylist Law Roach insisted André was the only person who could pull off the stunt.
"When Burberry asked me to collaborate with them on the Met and help curate the table, the first person I thought about was André. And they kind of went crazy, because Daniel (Lee, Burberry designer) is a huge fan," he told the outlet. "When I heard about the piano, I was like, 'Only him. He's the only one.'"
In an Instagram post, André revealed he had originally wanted to call his new project The Best Worst Rap Album In History.
"It's jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all," the 49-year-old explained. "It's the best because it's the free-est emotionally and best I've felt personally. It's the best because it's like a palette cleanser for me."
Previously, André unveiled his flute album New Blue Sun in 2023.
Later this year, the Hey Ya! singer will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Big Boi in honour of their work as Outkast.