The answer is probably not, but I have a theory.

I was listening to The Love Below, André 3000’s half of Outkast’s 2003 double album, and realized that the “God (Interlude)” on that album is, musically, incredibly similar to “Flight of the Navigator” off Childish Gambino’s Because the Internet album, and I decided to do a little research into it.

Gambino’s always shown his love for André and Big Boi (referencing André’s “Int’l Players Anthem” verse in “Where is the Love“, for instance), André has shown respect for Gambino in return, and a bit of research into the two revealed rumours from May that the fellow ATLiens were collaborating on a joint album. Of course, the rumours were quickly dismissed: joint albums are teased all the time, but rarely see the light of day (see: Drake and Kanye, Jay and Bey, MF DOOM and Ghosface Killah, etc.).

There’s a bit of evidence to be found for this one, however. Earlier this year, Gambino created an app called Pharos.Earth that put the user in the POV of some unidentified object hurtling through space towards Earth, ultimately landing at Joshua Tree. Gambino announced that the iconic Georgia location would be the site of a two-day festival where he would debut his new album. When users bought tickets through the app, they unlocked a series of picture teasing themes of the album, and the concept of the “Fives”, or “Fifth Tribe”, seemed central.

This is also referenced in Gambino’s latest verse, on Steve G. Lover’s “No Hookah“, where he asks “BTI, where the fives at?“.

So what’s 3000 + five?

It’s paltry evidence at best, when André’s released no new music since the breakup of Outkast (only lending his talents to guest features), but even the concept of something hurtling through space towards Earth fits the whole Outkast ATLien vibe. It’s a pleasant thought, at least, so here’s hoping, but keep your expectations low.