and Andre 3000 have teamed up for “Hello,” a track from Badu’s telephone-themed mixtape “But You Cain’t Use My Phone.”
Related: Erykah Badu talks new mixtape, “brilliant genius” Drake
Earlier in the month, we heard “Phone Down,” a track about a woman being so captivating that her aura transcends our digital need to stare at our phones. “Hello” is told from the point of view of a lover who reaches out to his interest with adorable anxiety over her response.
The track sees the rapper playing with various vocal theatrics and production variables including keys, loops and stripped down drums. We don’t hear any epic rhymes from Andre 3000 as fans would expect, but itap good to hear him back on the microphone even if the entire thing sounds like a freestyle.
For Badu’s part, she’s in her jazz/improv element. If nothing else, itap proof that the eclectic singer is back. “But You Cain’t Use My Phone” is her first full-length project since the second part of “New Amerykah,” and it appears she’s dropped all pretenses and going back to the creative style that made her a household name.
Listen to “Hello” below.
