At this point, the likelihood of an Outkast reunion is a faint dream. However, members André 3000 and Big Boi are united on one front — protecting their intellectual property.
According to AllHipHop, Outkast’s company High Schoolers LLC have filed a lawsuit against EDM duo ATLiens for trademark infringement.
In the paperwork, the hip-hop legends accuse ATLiens of “improper, willful, unauthorized and illegal use and registration of the ATLIENS mark,” which is owned by Outkast.
As evident in their claim, Outkast referenced ATLiens upcoming 2025 show at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. Outkast has taken issue not only with ATLiens’ selected stage name, but also its use in their merchandise, among other things.
Although Outkast acknowledges the word, made popular by their standout 1996 album, was thrust into pop culture, and as a result the world’s “cultural lexicon,” they firmly stake creative ownership of the made-up word.
“Upon information and belief, Defendant selected the name ATLIENS for their EDM duo to trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with Plaintiff’s ATLIENS album, song, and mark, or, at a minimum, to call to consumers’ minds Plaintiff’s famous ATLIENS album, song, and mark,” reads the document.
Outkast has demanded that ATLiens “permanently enjoined and restrained from, directly or indirectly” further usage of their trademark. They always also asked that the United States Patent and Trademark Office cancel the ATLiens’ live and active service mark as they attempt to “collect compensatory, incidental and consequential damages.”
On the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website, ATLiens’ mark has a notion of this request. The last of Outkast’s request include for legal fees reimbursement, and ATLiens to remove any and all online usage of their mark, which encompasses their website and social media profiles.
This seems to be a simple case for United States Patent and Trademark Office to decide, unlike Eminem’s filing againstReal Housewives of Potomac‘s Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon.
According to AllHipHop, Outkast has sued the EDM duo ATLiens for using their trademarked and iconic term without permission. Moreover, the lawsuit comes from High Schoolers LLC (André 3000 and Big Boi’s trademark holding company) against ATLiens Touring, Inc. The rap legends, along with their lawyers at Barnes & Thornburg LLC, seek to “permanently enjoin and restrained, directly or indirectly,” the electronic music group from using the name. Also, they wish to cancel U.S. Service Mark Registration No. 6,136,315 and to obtain consequential, compensatory, incidental, and other damages. Other considerations include royalties from this illegal activity’s profits, coverage of legal fees, and the complete removal of the dance artists’ use of the “ATLiens” name on the Internet.
“The defendant has and continues to sell tickets to concerts and give live performances in this state and District, with its next show being at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia on February 15, 2025,” Outkast’s lawsuit reportedly reads. “Defendant also advertises, offers for sale and sells products to consumers in this state and in this District though its interactive website, including merchandise bearing the ATLIENS mark. The word ATLIENS was invented by Outkast. Before Outkast created it, it [did not exist] in the cultural lexicon. In addition to the studio album ATLiens and the song ‘ATLiens,’ Plaintiff has used the ATLIENS mark as the title of a number of other distinct musical recordings. By way of example, but not necessarily limitation: (i) an album version of the ‘ATLiens’ song [appeared] on the ‘ATLiens/Wheelz of Steel’ CD Single.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 10: Big Boi and Andre 3000 of Outkast perform at One MusicFest at Lakewood Amphitheatre on September 10, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage/Getty Images)
“(ii) both an album version and an instrumental version of the ‘ATLiens’ song [appeared] on a M*** single,” Outkast’s suit continued. “(iii) three remixes, a ‘Bad Boy Remix,’ a ‘Bad Boy Instrumental’ and a ‘Bad Boy Alternative Mix’ of the ‘ATLiens’ song were featured on a Remix CD single; (iv) a clean version, album version, album instrumental and album acapella version of the ‘ATLiens’ song were featured on a 12′ Vinyl Single; and (v) ‘ATLiens’ was used on promo albums distributed by LaFace Records. Plaintiff is also the owner of all right, title and interest in and to the following United States Trademark and Service Mark Applications for its mark ATLIENS, which are presently valid and subsisting in law.
“Many years after Plaintiff commenced use of the ATLIENS mark as a trademark and service mark, many years after Plaintiff acquired common law rights in the ATLIENS mark, many years after Plaintiff commenced use of its ATLIENS mark in a manner analogous to trademark or service mark use, and many years after the ATLIENS mark became famous and inextricably associated with OUTKAST, Defendant formed an electronic dance music (“EDM”) duo in Atlanta, Georgia,” it concluded. “Upon information and belief, Defendant selected the name ATLIENS for their EDM duo to trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with Plaintiff’s ATLIENS album, song, and mark, or, at a minimum, to call to consumers’ minds Plaintiff’s famous ATLIENS album, song, and mark.”
André 3000 may not be rapping much anymore, but as a member of the pioneering Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast, his legacy — and that of his partner-in-rhyme, Big Boi — is secure. That legacy is being celebrated in new ways all the time — and the latest will give fans a chance to play out their Outkast reunion fantasies, at least in miniature. Super 7, the collectibles company that has been commemorating pop culture since 2001, announced a new set of Outkast action figures capturing their likenesses from the cover of the duo’s 1996 album ATLiens.
The 3.7″ scale figures come with microphone accessories, while Big Boi’s features a removable chain. The cardback package also features a reproduction of the iconic album cover by illustrator DL Warfield, which imagines the duo as comic book superheroes — fitting for the translation to action figures. You can find more about the figures on Super 7’s website.
The group previously revisited ATLiens in 2021, with an animated video for the standout single “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac).” While the duo hasn’t announced any plans to reunite for the foreseeable future, the roots of their Dungeon Family tree run strong. Killer Mike, their frequent collaborator, swept the Rap Grammys categories this year for his album Michael, which features one of André’s first verses in years on “Scientists & Engineers.”
OutKast, the iconic duo consisting of rappers André 3000 and Big Boi, has left a profound and enduring legacy in the musical and cultural landscape. While together, the duo released six albums, and their sophomore studio album, ATLiens, turned 27 in August this year. Besides their success, OutKast has been widely celebrated for their groundbreaking approach to music. They famously blended various genres, including Hip Hop, funk, soul, jazz, and R&B. Moreover, they created a distinctive and ever-evolving sound that defied easy categorization. Overall, ATLiens is a remarkable album that effectively showcases the duo’s peculiar genre-blurring style. 27 years after its release, its cultural impact and relevance in Hip Hop is still strongly felt. Furthermore, it is regarded by many as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time.
Rappers André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton) of Outkast poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago, Illinois in October 1998. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
ATLiens was released on August 27, 1996, following the duo’s 1994 debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The album marked a notable evolution in OutKast’s sound and style. It was particularly a more experimental and daring album than their debut. Also, it explored a broader sonic soundscape as well. At the time of the album’s release, the rappers were both 21-year-olds, but they had begun writing and recording songs for it since they were 18. Soon after releasing their debut album, OutKast worked on ATLiens between late 1994 and early 1996.
The beats on ATLiens were handled by Organized Noize, a production team known for their work with the Dungeon Family. Their sound incorporated a blend of funk, dub, gospel, soul, and electronic elements, expertly creating otherworldly and futuristic production. This helped to reflect the duo’s desire to explore uncharted territory in Hip Hop. Furthermore, their musical evolution succeeded in challenging conventional norms.
The genre-blurring production provided by the duo, with help from Organized Noize, effectively depicts the artists’ vision. In addition to this, the lyrics on the album delve into a wide range of topics including social issues, personal introspection, and sci-fi references. ATLiens also reflected the duo’s artistic growth, as well as their open-mindedness and experimental nature.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the four songs released as singles from the 15-track album are some of its strongest offerings. “Elevators (Me & You),” “ATLiens,” “Wheelz of Steel,” and “Jazzy Belle” were some of the hit songs on the album, and received significant airplay, all while contributing to the commercial success of the album. There are a limited number of collaborations on ATLiens, and guest verses only appear on four of the 15 songs on the album. The featured artists are: Witchdoctor on “Ova Da Wudz” and “E.T. (Extraterrestrial),” T-Mo and Khujo on “Mainstream,” and Big Gipp and Cool Breeze on “Decatur Psalm.”
ATLiens unsurprisingly received critical acclaim upon its release. Critics had particular praise for its innovative production, lyrical complexity, and unorthodox themes. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and has since sold over two million units in the United States, earning it a 2x Platinum certification by the RIAA. With the album, OutKast became a formidable force in Hip Hop’s history. As a matter of fact, Billboard ranked the duo atop their list of the greatest rap groups of all time.
ATLiens remains a seminal work in OutKast’s discography. Moreover, it is often cited as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time. The highly influential album solidified the duo as icons of Southern Hip Hop. Its widespread success and critical acclaim was the beginning of a magnificent run for OutKast in mainstream media. ATLiens maybe 27 years old, but it is renowned and respected for pushing creative boundaries. It is an inimitable album in Hip Hop that deserves every bit of honor it receives, and then some.
Big Boi and André 3000 of OutKast are revered as two of the greatest MCs of all time, a take that’s cooler than a polar bear’s toenails at this point. The duo’s material still gets spins and love today, and a Dallas DJ named Menace recently showed appreciation in his own unique way. Moreover, he recreated the beat to the duo’s title track from their 1996 classic album ATLiens. Much to Menace’s surprise, none other than Killer Mike reached out to him and let him know that someone very special heard the recreation as well. Furthermore, Menace took to Twitter to express that Big Boi watching his recreation made his day.
“How fun is my life?” Menace began his appreciative message. “Earlier today I made a video recreating the “Atliens” beat with the original sample. Hours later I get a text from Killer Mike as he’s watching the video with f***ing BIG BOI in the studio!!!! Ha! Day made.” Big props to Menace for reaching the two hip-hop legends. Also, this adds to the lore surrounding Killer Mike’s next album MICHAEL.
Menace’s DJ Tribute To “ATLiens” Shouted Out By Killer Mike
How fun is my life? Earlier today I made a video recreating the “Atliens” beat with the original sample. Hours later I get a text from Killer Mike as he’s watching the video with fucking BIG BOI in the studio!!!! Ha! Day made. pic.twitter.com/XKDUJzQFvB
Recently, the R.A.P. Music MC revealed the tracklist (with hidden features) and the album cover. However, something that got fans even more excited was the news that the album will reportedly featureLil Wayne and André 3000 himself. While this news didn’t see official confirmation from the Run The Jewels member, it’s certainly not impossible. After all, Big Boi was also in the studio with him based on what Menace showed us, so is a reunion on the cards? Probably not, but a fan can dream. No matter who or what shows up on MICHAEL, we’re sure that it’ll be a fulfilling and triumphant return for the Dungeon Family alum.
Meanwhile, praise and influence continue to be two big factors on OutKast’s side. For example, Joe Budden recently labeled them the greatest rap group of all time, whereas T.I. believes they are the best Atlanta rappers ever. Whether it’s from fans or the industry, no all-time hip-hop rotation is complete without 3 Stacks and Sir Lucious Left Foot. For more news on OutKast and the latest updates on Killer Mike, keep checking in with HNHH.
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.
This Friday, August 27, the iconic Atlanta-based rap duo who put the Dirty South on the map with their cosmic slop-washed ethos is reissuing the album that saw them break through to the mainstream 25 years ago. Andre 3000 and Big Boi, better known as Outkast, are putting out a 25th-anniversary edition of ATLiens and to celebrate, they’ve shared a new Rafatoon-directed animated video for the album’s fan-favorite track “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac).” The psychedelic visuals capture the duo in their mid-90s aesthetics (you know, before Andre started dressing like a mid-century dandy) and yes, cruising in a Cadillac convertible.
The ATLiens reissue will come with newly mixed, hi-res 24-bit sound with the previously unreleased instrumental tracks, in multiple formats. Legacy Recordings is dropping a limited-edition four-LP version, Get on Down’s version will come with a custom gatefold jacket and a glow-in-the-dark 45rpm single of “Elevators,” and Vinyl Me, Please has a two-LP neon green and blue galaxy vinyl. You can find out more here.
In addition to the collector’s edition vinyl re-releases of ATLiens, the boys will celebrate their breakthrough classic with a mobile video game being produced by F That digital agency that will find them defending their hometown from — what else? — an alien invasion. The release date is still TBD.
Watch the “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)” video above.
This Friday, August 27, the iconic Atlanta-based rap duo who put the Dirty South on the map with their cosmic slop-washed ethos is reissuing the album that saw them break through to the mainstream 25 years ago. Andre 3000 and Big Boi, better known as Outkast, are putting out a 25th-anniversary edition of ATLiens and to celebrate, they’ve shared a new Rafatoon-directed animated video for the album’s fan-favorite track “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac).” The psychedelic visuals capture the duo in their mid-90s aesthetics (you know, before Andre started dressing like a mid-century dandy) and yes, cruising in a Cadillac convertible.
The ATLiens reissue will come with newly mixed, hi-res 24-bit sound with the previously unreleased instrumental tracks, in multiple formats. Legacy Recordings is dropping a limited-edition four-LP version, Get on Down’s version will come with a custom gatefold jacket and a glow-in-the-dark 45rpm single of “Elevators,” and Vinyl Me, Please has a two-LP neon green and blue galaxy vinyl. You can find out more here.
In addition to the collector’s edition vinyl re-releases of ATLiens, the boys will celebrate their breakthrough classic with a mobile video game being produced by F That digital agency that will find them defending their hometown from — what else? — an alien invasion. The release date is still TBD.
Watch the “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)” video above.
