Rapper formerly known as Andre3000?

LONDON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Budding actor Andre 3000 of music's successful pop-rap duo Outkast says he's changing his name in bid for credibility among Hollywood's elite.

Because of his musical success, Hollywood isn't really taking his bid for screen fame seriously, he told BBC Radio 1.

So, he is dropping the 3000 and from now on calling himself Andre Benjamin.

"A famous actor called me -- because they were trying to get him in the movie -- and I guess it was one thing that helped him make his decision to be in it," he said.

"He said, 'Let me talk to Andre' and he got on the phone and said 'I've had bad experiences with working with music stars on a film because they don't take it seriously, and I just want to ask you where your head is at. I've had people who don't show up on set on time and just mess it up.'

"I said, 'Well, I'm serious about what I'm doing.'"

Benjamin stars with Mark Wahlberg in "Four Brothers," about four adopted brothers who deal with the murder of their mother.