The greatly anticipated Jimi Hendrix biopic that we’ve been hearing about, starring 
Outkast’s: Andre Benjamin (a.k.a “Andre 3000”) is finally here and coming to you in fall of 2014.
The trailers (below) shows Benjamin as Hendrix navigating his career as a backup guitar player in New York City to lighting up the scene in London—the rest is history [and to be told and showed in the film written by 12 Years A Slaves’ John Ridley].
The film centers on Hendrix’s life from the period of 1966-1967 and leading up to his well-renowned performance at the 3-day concert event: Monterey Pop Festival-remembered as the first major American appearance by Jimi Hendrix.
As a result of Monterey being so widely promoted and heavily attended (25,000-90,000 people) and it having featured historic performances by The Who, Ravi Shankur, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, The Mamas and the Papas, and Jefferson Airplane; it became the subject of a popular theatrical docu-film and is credited for being the template and inspiration for music festivals like Woodstock and all others like it-to date.
Although the film will not be using any of Hendrix’s songs, the soundtrack will include Benjamin’s very own covers as performed by Hendrix during the 1966-1967 years as depicted in the film.
In an interview done with Rolling Stone earlier this year, Ridley talked about Andre’s preparation for the role: “André came out to L.A. in January of 2012 and worked with me through April on all aspects of Jimi, from watching video of him to working with a vocal coach to getting as slim and slender as Jimi was at that time period. He didn’t just work on playing the guitar, but playing the guitar left-handed. . . . He gave that performance because he wanted it. It was never going to be a Vegas lounge act. It was always going to be about getting to an emotional honesty with this character, and I cannot say enough about what André did.”
See for yourself, why:
…besides the persona and musical artistry of Prince, I couldn’t think of a better artist person to portray an artistic like Jimi Hendrix in a biopic, other than Andre 3000. So the role, and character not only are [in good company] but as well, will solicit and be audienced by the same [good company] I’m sure.
Excellent for those of us who don’t know a lot about the life of Jimi Hendrix but know Andre 3000-and excited for him to bring to life for us; somebody (instrumental in American pop culture) that we should know, perhaps.
Andres 3000’s such a funky, and free-spirited rockstar all trapped up in a rapper’s flow like non-other already, so this should be good!
Here’s Andre talking (a little bit) about his role in the movie. Enjoy!
