In December of 2019, Andre 3000, one half of the legendary rap group OutKast, sat down with super-producer Rick Rubin for a conversation on a podcast called Broken Record.
The two all-time great musicians spoke on their career, creativity, and their happenings as of late. However, 3000's comments about his absence from the music scene would be national news. 3000, a notable music recluse, stated his confidence and motivation were lacking to create new material.
Via Complex:
“I haven't been making much music, man … My focus is not there. My confidence is not there. I tinker a lot. I'll just go to a piano and I'll set my iPhone down and just record what I'm doing, moving my fingers and whatever happens, but I haven't been motivated to do a serious project.”
Outkast has not released a project since 2006, and 3000 has never followed through on his promise to release an official solo album. Here, we have one of the most gifted rappers ever, and he's not motivated, inspired or confident in his work.
Andre 3000's story draws a similar correlation to Michael Jordan, as we watched his highs, lows and mindset on display as of recent with The Last Dance documentary. Jordan dazzled and dominated the 1990s, winning six championships along the way. But after his third in 1993, Jordan shocked the world with his retirement. His reason? He had no motivation, felt he had nothing to prove and suffered from mental exhaustion.
According to the documentary, Jordan was thinking about retirement the summer before, during the 1992 Olympics. Jordan was fresh off his second NBA title and was the NBA's top player. But his appetite for destruction and mental strength were waning, and he wanted out.
But here lies the question that begs: Why would someone with a genius talent such as Jordan want to retire so early?
Genius is something that doesn't come around often, in any capacity. It wows us with its exceptional ability, reminding us that what we are witnessing is something special.
But genius is often misunderstood. It can be demanding of others. But most importantly, it can be demanding of itself. In music, exceptional talents such as Andre 3000, Billy Joel, Lauryn Hill and others burned out due to demands of their ability and their expectations.
Here, Billy Joel described why he stopped writing music even though he was responsible for three No. 1 hits and five Grammys:
“Like I said, I couldn’t be as good as I wanted to be. I was always trying to feel like there was a real progression in my work, and eventually I realized I was only going to be X good. Because of that I knew I was going to beat myself up for not being better. So I stopped. That’s it.”
Jordan's genius didn't escape this phenomenon that swallowed Joel. As a player, he was something the NBA hadn't seen before. He defied gravity with his dunks and layups. His feel for the game offensively was a show of mastery to watch. Defensively, he was the best all-around players for some time. But still, he felt emotionally spent and ready to exit for something new.
His 1993 retirement signified that his genius needed a recharge. He returned in 1995 and would win another three NBA championships. But he was burned out once again by the end of his second three-peat.
Jordan's genius allowed spectators to spot it and recognize his gift immediately. We enjoyed his unearthly game, watching a game knowing he would entertain to great lengths. But the curse of it all was that he could only enjoy it until he burnt out. And while it's a travesty in its own right, it is also the cost of doing business with exceptionalism.
It's why Andre 3000 hasn't released any material since his Outkast days. Or Hill not releasing an album for nearly 22 years. Better yet, Joel electing to exit pop music as a songwriter for the last 25 years. His gig since 1994? As a touring act.
Last but not least, former 49ers head coach Bill Walsh bowed out after his fourth Super Bowl win in January of 1989. He maxed out of his genius and had to retire.
Jordan showcased we sometimes only get a genius for a limited time. Mental exhaustion, insecurity, the need to prove something — it can become too much for our gifted people. While we may not are keen on flameouts from genius skillsets, it's essential to understand their burdens.
So Jordan was an all-time great player, perhaps the greatest to ever do it. But he was a genius, too. He did things that we have never seen at such a high clip. But it came at a cost. Retiring too early in 1993, and with much more to give in 1998. It's the gift and the curse.
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