The entire world of hip-hop has been celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary all year. Numerous award shows have taken the opportunity to bring together rappers both old and new for group performances highlighting the entire history of the genre. There have also been a number of special events and entirely unique live shows, many of which are put on by Mass Appeal. The company has also been releasing a series of EPs highlighting the genre’s history through the point of view of producers.
Now, Mass Appeal is teaming up with Outkast to celebrate two anniversaries. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of hip-hop but also the 25th anniversary of one of the genre’s most acclaimed albums ever. The Atlanta legends released Aquemini in 1998 to massive critical acclaim. Clearly, there’s still a lot of love for the duo out there and they’re capitalizing on it with a new commemorative collectible statue. “The 15-pound statue incorporates elements from all of Outkast’s classic albums and features two replaceable heads for Andre 3000 and Big Boi,” the caption reads. The statue is selling for $550 with a special autographed edition going for $750. Check out the announcement post below.
This isn’t the first thing Outkast did to celebrate Aquemini‘s 25th anniversary. Earlier this month they shared a psychedelic new animated music video for the album’s beloved deep cut “SpottieOttieDopalicious.” The video proved that there’s still plenty of interest in Outkast as it’s racked up over 120k views since it first dropped.
That love for the duo was also on display earlier this year when Billboard ranked the greatest rap groups of all time. Right at the very top of the list, they put Andre 3000 and Big Boi and many in the rap world fully agreed with them. What do you think of the new statue of Outkast released to celebrate Hit Hop 50 and Aquemini‘s 25th anniversary? Let us know in the comment section below.
OutKast’s incredible reputation proceeds them at this point. Their massively successful catalog is undoubtedly one of the very best in hip-hop history. Of course, that goes to Big Boi and Andre 3000’s songwriting skills. They were able to create lush and colorful soundscapes in so many different ways, that there are not many who can replicate their artistry. Even with all of the vast talent in the Atlanta rap scene, you would be hard-pressed to find someone better than these two. The duo has been celebrating a lot this year. Namely, the anniversaries of their classic albums.
Two of their most well-known albums, ATLiens, and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, both hit incredible milestones. The first of the two just turned 27 a few days ago and the latter is 20 years old. Now, they paying homage to another one of their records, Aquemini. Their third project, released back in 1998 hit the 25th anniversary mark not too long ago. How did OutKast decide to celebrate this momentous occasion? They just put out some stunning, colorful, and trippy visuals for one of the tracks.
OutKast Puts Out Music Video For “SpottieOttieDopaliscious”
The one they chose to show love to is “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.” One of the longer tracks off of the project, it is a rich-sounding vibe filled with horns and a whole lot of soul. Unfortunately, there is no reunion of sorts in these visuals, just some eclectic color schemes and mind-bending sequences. Without being greedy, they do fit the song perfectly, showing that OutKast still has the creative juice. The video above was posted originally by HipHopDX.
What are your initial thoughts on these visuals from OutKast for “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” from Aquemini? Were you disappointed that they did not film a music video together for it? Is this your favorite song off of the album? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the hottest music videos, as well as all of the latest breaking news around the music world.
Today, fans can get an exclusive glimpse behind-the-scenes of the official music video for “Rosa Parks,” the Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed track from Outkast’s third album, Aquemini, in the latest episode of Vevo Footnotes. The episode is part of Vevo’s original content and specialized programming to celebrate the historic 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop.
In the episode, Big Boi describes the music on Aquemini as a blend of Outkast’s “complex music” on their debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” with the “ferocious lyrics” found on their sophomore album ATLiens. The episode highlights that the parade scene in the music video was filmed in front of the iconic Atlanta nightclub, The Royal Peacock. And points out that the marching band in the video is from the historic Morris Brown College, and that the college’s gospel choir is featured on their track “Bombs Over Baghdad.” Additionally, the episode mentions that the standout harmonica solo is performed by Andre 3000’s stepfather, Reverend Robert Hodo.
Sleepy Brown has advised fans not to hold out hope for an Outkast reunion between Big Boi and Andre 3000. Speaking with TMZ for a recent interview, he explained that Andre is busy doing his own thing for the time being.
“Nah, they not,” Sleepy Brown told the outlet. “[Andre 3000] is on a-whole-nother journey and he’s, you know, doing something. But me and Big [Boi] are still doing tours and stuff like that. Don’t hold your breath for no OutKast reunion. Don’t do it to yourself. It’s not gon’ happen, folks. If you wanna see us, we gon’ be Dungeon Family. That’s about it.”
Sleepy Brown, Andre 3000 of Outkast and Big Boi of Outkast (Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage for BET Network)
Elsewhere in the interview, Sleepy Brown discussed his favorite Outkast album. While the choice was tough, in the end, he went with Aquemini. “Man, you know, I can say Aquemini, I can say Stankonia,” he said. “The thing about it [is], each album was a different journey. OutKast has taken people through country music with ‘Rosa Parks,’ they did rock with Stankonia, they did every genre you could ever think of in music, so it’s kinda hard to say which one is what.”
He continued: “But I’ma say Aquemini. For me, that album was the moment when OutKast really flourished as producers, too. So for me, that album is me watching them grow. That’s why it’s my favorite.” Sleepy Brown has worked with Outkast on many occasions over the years, including on some of their biggest hits such as “The Way You Move” and “So Fresh, So Clean.”
Sleepy Brown Says Outkast Is Done For Good
Outkast released Aquemini as their third studio album back in September 1998. The project featured several of the duo’s biggest hits including “Rosa Parks,” “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1),” and more. Aquemini landed at number 49 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list in 2020.
Next April will mark 30 years since legendary Southern rap duo Outkast burst onto the Hip-Hop scene with their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Andre 3000 and Big Boi rose to rap supremacy. Many fans and critics regard the duo as the greatest Hip-Hop group of all time. Outkast is well-remembered for their thought-provoking lyrics, funky beats, and overall unique and everlasting sound. Here’s a look at 10 of Outkast’s best songs.
10. “So Fresh, So Clean” (2000)
“So Fresh, So Clean” is the perfect anthem for anytime someone puts on their best outfit and looks in the mirror. The song was the third single from Outkast’s album Stankonia. Rico Wade of Organized Noize created the now iconic chorus while he sang in the shower one evening. Sleepy Brown recorded the chorus the following day, an interpolation of Joe Simon’s “Before the Night is Over.” Along with the chorus, Big Boi and Andre 3000 drop some of their smoothest flows over a funky, southern beat as they describe their “playeristic” nature. “So Fresh, So Clean” is a smooth, sexual anthem and an all-time classic.
9. “Hey Ya!” (2003)
Perhaps Outkast’s most famous song, “Hey Ya!”, came from the group’s double album Speakerboxx/The Love Below. Twenty years after its release, “Hey Ya!” is still on many DJs set lists and can be heard at almost any social gathering nationwide. The song is an upbeat, acoustic-driven, ’60s-esque pop song delivered entirely by Andre 3000. Yet, the lyrics detail a failing relationship as Andre profoundly questions what keeps couples together. While “Hey Ya!” veers away from the sounds of much of Outkast’s discography, its creativity, rejection of genre, and lyrics lead to its greatness. Lines such as “What’s cooler than bein’ cool, Ice Cold” and “Shake it like a Polaroid picture” are still quoted today. “Hey Ya!” is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable songs ever.
8. “Git Up, Git Out”( 1994)
“Git Up, Git Out” is the third single from Outkast’s debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Along with verses from Big Boi and Andre 3000, the track also features Cee-Lo and Big Gipp of the Goodie Mob. Big Boi and Andre were 19 years old at the time of the song’s release. The subject matter of “Git Up, Git Out” reflects the adolescent desire to overcome circumstances and make something out of life. In their verses, each rapper contemplates the impact of their decisions, including dropping out of school and using too much weed. Andre’s verse is particularly contemplative as he describes his childhood and his uncertainty with the meaning of existence. “Git Up, Git Out” also questions systems of government that have held each rapper down, and the song’s content is unsure, rebellious, and philosophical.
7. “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Bagdhad)” (2000)
“B.O.B” is one of Outkast’s discography’s most experimental and ambitious songs. It meshes Hip-Hop with drum and bass rhythms, a gospel choir, and an electric guitar. At the turn of the 21st century, Outkast felt that much of the Hip-Hop had become stagnant and formulaic. They looked to break genre boundaries with songs such as “B.O.B.” The song moves at 155 beats per minute, making it one of the fastest rap songs ever. Andre 3000 and Big Boi supplement this with frenetic flows and delivery.
“B.O.B” also features a Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar solo halfway through as a gospel choir repeats the phrase “bombs over Baghdad.” “B.O.B” is a prime example of Outkast’s ability to venture into territories yet to be explored by most Hip-Hop artists of their time.
6. “Elevators (Me & You)”(1996)
“Elevators” was the first single from Outkast’s sophomore album ATLiens. The song perfectly captures the spatial, otherworldly atmosphere of the album. The instrumental for “Elevators” is funky and shares characteristics with the “lo-fi” genre of music. At its release, “Elevators” was the highest charting song in Outkast’s discography as it reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ironically, Andre 3000’s final verse on the song describes how far the group had left to go and the hunger the duo still felt to succeed in Hip-Hop. About this, Andre raps, “I live by the beat / Like you live check-to-check / If it don’t move your feet / Then I don’t eat / So we like neck-to-neck.”
5. “Ms. Jackson” (2000)
“Ms. Jackson” was Outkast’s first No. 1 hit. The song is a profession of love to the mother of the narrator’s romantic partner. It also tells the story of issues that arise from having a child out of wedlock. “Ms. Jackson” depicts Outkast’s storytelling ability at its finest, and the lyrics are inspired, in part, by Andre 3000’s relationship with Erykah Badu and her mother. The track is vulnerably apologetic and combative at the same time. It shows Outkast’s ability to intertwine emotion and storytelling with a catchy, pop-like chorus that resonated with fans. “Ms. Jackson” is one of Outkast’s most famous and commercially successful songs, yet the song is also deeply personal and intimate.
4. “Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 1” (1998)
“Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 1” was the third single from Outkast’s album Aquemini. True to its title, Big Boi and Andre 3000 tell the stories of two love interests from their pasts. Big Boi’s story is of a brief sexual encounter with a woman named “Suzy Screw,” which ends after he gets what he wants. However, Andre 3000’s story takes a darker turn as he tells the story of a woman named “Sasha Thumper.” Andre tells the tale of the two’s connection, Sasha’s life, and her eventual death by overdose. The song and the stories within are haunting, and the synth-heavy instrumental adds to the evocative atmosphere of the track. “Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 1” is the pinnacle of Hip-Hop storytelling at its finest.
3. “SpottieOttieDopalicious” (1998)
“SpottieOttieDopalicious” is a seven-minute psychedelic escapade into Outkast’s experiences within Atlanta’s nightlife. The song features one of the most iconic horn riffs as Big Boi and Andre 3000 give spoken-word verses. Meanwhile, Sleepy Brown sings in the background. The song is lyrical, and Big Boi and Andre 3000 deliver their verses like poetry. “SpottieOttieDopalicious” displays Outkast’s unique experimentation and storytelling ability. The song is more of an experience than a piece of music. Artists such as Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino, and J. Cole have all sampled “SpottieOttieDopalicious”; the song is truly one of a kind.
2. “ATLiens” (1996)
“ATLiens” serves as the perfect introduction to the world of Outkast. The song’s title plays into the group’s geographical home of Atlanta and their place as foreigners in the Hip-Hop scene. In addition, the content of the song reflects this sentiment. The beat begins with a sound effect reminiscent of those in movies where aliens first appear. Big Boi and Andre 3000 deliver verses that pay homage to their Southern roots and contain phrases that establish their “alien” vernacular. The chorus of the song is pitched up and sounds almost otherworldly. “ATLiens” is slick, powerful, and contains everything that makes Outkast legendary.
1. “Aquemini” (1998)
“Aquemini” is a nostalgic reflection on the bond between Big Boi and Andre 3000. As the chorus notes, “Nothing lasts forever / But until they close the curtain / It’s him and I, Aquemini.” Along with the chorus’s somber tone, Big Boi and Andre 3000 deliver some of their greatest verses. Andre 3000’s second is mainly one of, if not the best, rap verse. Almost every word rhymes as Andre raps about philosophy, his “alien” nature, and his response to criticism about his outlandish behavior and personality. “Aquemini” displays Outkast at their technical best, as well as at their emotional best. The song serves as a sort of manifesto for both Big Boi and Andre 3000’s beliefs on the world, the Hip-Hop scene, and their place as “outcasts” within each of those places.
