Andre 3000’s opening verse on UGK’s classic 2007 track “International Players Anthem (I Choose You)” is often cited as one of the OutKast legend’s best. But when his country cousin and collaborator Pimp C first heard the rhyme, he felt differently.
Storied music industry executive Jeff Sledge—who worked as an A&R at Jive Records through the 2000s—recently appeared on ItsTheReal’s A Waste Of Time podcast and revealed that Pimp C didn’t appreciate André sending his verse in without drums underneath.
“When André sent his piece back and had no drums, Chad was pissed off,” said Sledge. “He was like ‘Fuck Andre, man. How the fuck is he gonna send my shit back and take my drums out? Fuck that.’ He was going off about André taking the drums out.”
Sledge, who A&R’ed UGK’s Underground Kings LP, calmed his artist down.
“I was like, ‘Chad, hold up fam. Let’s rock it like that because when André doing a capella and then when the beat drops, that’s when your verse drops. And then you, your verse is gonna lift the record up because now the beat is rocking and your verse is kicking. And he’s like 'Alright, Jeff. I’m gonna give it a shot. If it fucks up, it’s on you.”
Back in 2012, André spoke with XXL about his kinship with UGK, stating that Pimp C was always a supporter of his experimental aesthetic.
“Even when people were trippin’ on me for stretchin’ out and tryin’ new things,” 3000 said, “I got a call from Pimp C and he said, ‘Man, fuck all these pussy ass niggas. They just scared and don’t know what to do with it. That shit y’all doin’ is the most gangster goin’ cause you doin’ what the fuck you wanna do.’ After that, not that I was hesitant at all, but I knew if ‘Pimp C’ of all supporters understood then… I’m good.”
Revisit all of the lyrics from UGK and OutKast’s classic “International Players Anthem (I Choose You)” right here on Genius.
