Outkast Archives - Page 3 of 11

LL Cool J Criticizes Andre 3000 For Playing Flute: “Come On, Bro”

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

LL Cool J is a hip-hop legend. He’s been relevant for longer than some rappers have been alive, so he gets to say what he wants during interviews. LL went on The Shop with Lena Waithe recently, but rather than target younger rappers, he had criticism for another legend. The NCIS star took Andre 3000 to task for refusing to put out a rap album, and instead give fans an album of flute instrumentals. He was baffled by Andre’s decision. He’s only confused by the flute album, he’s frustrated thinking about the rap album that Andre could have made.

The whole thing came about when Waite asked LL Cool J about inspiration. The rapper noted that he likes to express himself in different mediums, whether it be acting or music. “Sometimes some things are more fascinating to an artist,” he conceded. The thing he couldn’t understand was abandoning a calling. Which is the very thing he felt Andre 3000 did when the Outkast member gave up rapping. “Andre,” he called out. “Do we want him to make a rap album? Sure. But he’s like, ‘I’m on this flute game.’ This is my jam right now, I’m super into this.’”

LL Cool J Says He Needs Three Stacks To “Spit”

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The man born James Todd Smith appreciates Andre’s artistry, but he wants bars. “I need him to spit, though,” he asserted. “I need him to spit. Flutes? Man, come on, bro. His bars is all the way up. I’m very clear. Not the flute, B. Not the flute. Don’t do the flute.” Lena Waithe came to the defense of Andre’s flute album, New Blue Sun, by describing it as calming. LL Cool J wasn’t having any of it. He likened the album to the notion of him making a violin album. “You wanna hear me do a violin,” he asked Waite. “You might not wanna hear me do sh*t, but do you wanna hear me do a violin?” The comment won over The Shop co-host, Maverick Carter. He agreed that he wanted to hear Andre 3000 “spit” again.

LL was not just critical of other artists, however. He was willing to be brutally honest about his own work. He wait Waite and Carter that he’s put out some bad albums over the course of his career. “I make bad albums, but I also have some smack, some crazy shit too,” he noted. “But I made bad sh*t, or sh*t that people didn’t respond to because that was where I was at.”

He went on to explain that sometimes he made albums knowing they wouldn’t connect with the public. “Sometimes I make records in a vacuum,” he concluded. “Just because it’s for me and then sometimes I make albums for the culture.” Who knows, maybe fans will get that violin album he joked about one day.

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Atlanta Launches Executive Training Program In Rico Wade’s Honor

April 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The music world is still processing the death of Rico Wade. The producer was considered by many to be the cornerstone of the Dungeon Family, and the music that allowed the collective to transform hip-hop in the 1990s and 2000s. Wade died from heart failure at the age of 52, but his native Atlanta is making sure that he won’t be forgotten. The city has launched a training program in Wade’s name, with the intention of mentoring the next generation of executives.

The program was announced the same day as Wade’s funeral, April 27. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens made a statement on the program following the service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. It bears the official title of the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program. It will be an initiative ran by Atlanta’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife. “Rico left an indelible mark on music and culture around the world and for that, the South will always have something to say,” Dickens added.

Rico Wade’s Program Will Mentor Aspiring Music Execs

The program will help musicians learn the business and establish connections within the music industry. Dickens pointed to those in attendance as proof that Wade was successful at an extraordinary level. He aims to give up-and-comers access to the “music executives like the 500 hundred or so gathered” at the producer’s funeral. These executives include L.A. Reid, Chris Hicks, and Sylvia Rhone, the chair and CEO of Epic Records.

Rico Wade’s business acumen has been a consistent point of praise. He not only helped Outkast and En Vogue break through in the 1990s, but he did the same for Future in the 2010s. The “Like That” rapper talked about Wade’s impact during a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone. “Rico supported me 1,000 more times than anybody ever could,” he admitted. “Nobody could ever do what Rico Wade did for me … Everything I know about music, I know because of Rico.”

CeeLo Green, another Dungeon Family member, likened Wade to the comic book character Professor X. “He was Dr. Xavier of the world-renowned Dungeon Family,” he wrote on Instagram. “Yet so humble and understated with all his power. even the name Rico Wade rings bells, and sounds so prestigious & regal.”

A launch date for the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program not yet been announced.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Outkast Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ 30 Years Ago

April 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history three decades ago, OutKast, the duo that helped pioneer putting southern Hip Hop on the map, released their debut classic LP, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

This Dungeon Family masterpiece recorded by Andre 3000 and Big Boi paved the way for Atlanta and the rest of the Dirty South to have their unique voice in Hip Hop. Before this album, there weren’t many hit records coming from anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. Peaking at #20 on the Billboard 200 and being certified platinum less than a year after its release, this album’s achievements speak for themselves.

Produced entirely by OutKast and Organized Noize, this project was like none before. Its sound is perfectly described as southern rap. Everything about this album screams Atlanta, from the dialect to the instruments used to the references. The smooth blues and marching band-influenced beats blend with Big Boi and Andre 3000’s flows, creating something new that rippled the tide of an industry saturated with G-Funk or New York Hip Hop.

Both commercially and critically, this album was immensely successful. It peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop charts. This album was also the reason OutKast received the Best Newcomer Award at the 1995 Source Awards, which, as we all know, was met with controversy. Regardless of the haters, this album came at the beginning of the career of two rappers who changed the game forever.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Outkast Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ 30 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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Long Live Rico Wade: Organized Noize’s Most Iconic Beats Of All Time

April 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this month, Atlanta producer and hip-hop legend Rico Wade passed away at the age of 52. A spokesperson for Wade’s family revealed heart failure as the cause of death. As a member of the production group Organized Noize, Rico Wade helped shape the sound of Atlanta hip-hop during the 1990s, transforming the genre into what it is today, specifically in the South. Their impact is well-documented, especially in their 2016 documentary, The Art Of Organized Noize. Wade and his group members, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, led the Dungeon Family collective, which included the likes of Outkast and Goodie Mob.

The trio produced the majority of both groups’ first few albums and biggest hit singles. The Dungeon Family also helped foster the careers of Killer Mike, Janelle Monáe, and Future, who is Rico Wade’s first cousin. Its “Dungeon” name originates from the name of the studio at which they used to record, located in the basement of Rico Wade’s childhood home.

As a pivotal member of Organized Noize and The Dungeon Family, Wade’s contributions to southern hip hop and the genre at large remain outstanding. Many of his closest collaborators have taken to social media to mourn his loss, including Killer Mike, Big Boi, and CeeLo Green. In light of his passing, we are celebrating his most iconic beats of all time, which primarily consist of Dungeon Family productions. Take a look at the list below.

5. Outkast – “Player’s Ball”

Outkast’s 1993 debut single is where it all began for The Dungeon Family. Rico Wade and his Organized Noize counterparts not only produced “Player’s Ball,” but handled the entirety of Big Boi and André 3000’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The song’s funky groove put a southern spin on West Coast G-Funk. This blend of regional styles acted as a catalyst for Outkast and Organized Noize’s later works. “Player’s Ball” marked the beginning of the South’s hip-hop takeover and remains one of Rico Wade’s most iconic works.

4. Outkast – “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)”

“Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)” is easily the most iconic beat from Rico Wade and Organized Noize on Outkast’s ATLiens. The instrumental revolves around a sample of Five Stairstep’s “Danger! She’s A Stranger.” The hypnotic loop is flipped into a hip-hop track with its simple drum break. The beat leaves plenty of room for Big Boi and André 3000 to trade slick rhymes with one another. One of Outkast’s earlier iconic tracks, the beat prompted many artists to also sample “Danger! She’s A Stranger,” including Meyhem Lauren and Roc Marciano’s “Street Religion.”

3. Goodie Mob – “Cell Therapy”

Rico Wade and Organized Noize handled the production of Goodie Mob’s classic debut single, 1995’s “Cell Therapy.” Its main melody consists of just a few simple piano notes, which creates a haunting atmosphere. Goodie Mob contributes to this unsettling feeling of the chorus. They sing, “Who’s that peeking in my window? POW nobody now.” As Goodie Mob’s most iconic song, its beat is instantly recognizable and has been sampled on numerous occasions. Travis Scott, Rapsody, Lil Keke, and others have notably incorporated the legendary melody into their works. It is one of Organized Noize’s signature productions.

2. Outkast – “So Fresh, So Clean”

Outkast’s 2000 album, Stankonia featured less Organized Noize production compared to their previous albums. However, Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown produced one of the album’s biggest and most iconic hit singles. The samples of Joe Simon’s “Before the Night Is Over” and Funkadelic’s “I’ll Stay” provide a shimmering quality to the song’s feel-good instrumental. In addition to its samples, the track’s stuttering drum pattern is the production’s most outstanding quality. It provides a laid-back yet danceable rhythm, making “So Fresh, So Clean” a joyous occasion of its own. It is easily Outkast and Organized Noize’s biggest hit and arguably their most iconic collaboration.

1. TLC – “Waterfalls”

Rico Wade and Organized Noize may be known for their contributions to hip hop, but one of their most undeniable productions is an R&B classic. The group produced TLC’s signature hit, “Waterfalls” in 1995. The song’s groove is reminiscent of “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” but TLC made the track their own with an infectious performance. The brass, organ, and drums work with one another in the beat, creating a soulful backing for the singers. “Waterfalls” is a timeless record assisted by classic production from Organized Noize. The song’s longevity is a testament to Rico Wade and Organized Noize’s everlasting musical legacy.

[via] [via]

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Shakedeck: Soundtrack Slaps

April 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Rare songs, forgotten gems, and classic hits from movie soundtracks over the years.

Smino Surprises Fans With A Cover Of The Outkast Classic “Roses”

April 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Smino has developed a reputation for being one of the eccentric voices in hip-hop. He has a rare talent for combining hip-hop, R&B and pop music without making it seem contrived or emulatory. He makes Smino music, plain and simple. The rapper’s idiosyncrasy doesn’t keep him dabbling in other people’s hits, however. During a recent appearance on Like a Version, Smino delighted fans by performing a live cover of the classic 2003 Outkast track “Roses.”

Smino delved into his decision to cover Outkast during a separate Like a Version video. He admitted that “Roses” was a song he wish he’d written, and praised its unconventional structure. “Sometimes you hear a song as an artist, you’ll be like, damn,” he said. “Just the creativity, and the way André [3000] chose to explain a superficial girl… It’s a good message.” The rapper intended to be faithful to the original Outkast version, but he also felt it was important to put his own humor and personal spin on “Roses.” Anyone who has listened to Smino’s music will not be surprised by this point. “If you really know me you know I love laughing,” he noted. “The end part where I was just like ‘crazy b***h,’ I was just thinking about some people I know.”

Smino Considers André 3000 One Of His Heroes

Smino has been vocal about the influence Outkast, and André 3000, in particular, have had on his music. The rapper told Rolling Stone that he often gets likened to Three Stacks when people try to describe his elastic flow. He doesn’t find the comparison completely accurate, but he’s humbled by it regardless. “It’s known that I love André 3000, like I love Stacks,” he noted. “Bruh, I love Stacks… I feel like, ‘Wow.’ The guy’s a legend, go ahead.” Smino plans to chart his own, path, however. “I feel like my gratitude for where I’m at will get me where I want to go,” he asserted.

André 3000 and Big Boi continue to be forces in the music industry, and Smino told Like a Version that he hopes they like his “Roses” cover. “Man, I just hope they’ll be proud that their music’s still affecting us,” he said. “That’s the most, you know.” We get the feeling the duo, and everyone else who watches the cover, will dig it.

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Andre 3000’s “New Blue Sun”: OutKast Icon Shares Big Boi’s Reaction, Talks Making More Rap Music

February 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andre 3000 and Big Boi paved the way for many of today’s hip-hop superstars thanks to their tireless work together in OutKast. Of course, recent years have seen the pair turn their energy toward solo projects, though they remain supportive of each other in all that they do. During a new interview with High Snobiety, 3 Stacks revealed what his partner in rhyme thought of last year’s New Blue Sun flute album, along with some other interesting music updates.

“He was smiling. He was like, ‘Man… I played it for a lot of buddies, even my son. They were like, ‘It’s the real thing. It’s not a mimic.’ You really did this,’” Andre told the outlet of Big Boi. Elsewhere, the prolific creative played his work for other pals like Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. “We’re all sitting there listening to it. I’m wondering what the young people’s opinions would be. And I’m so happy that what I’m hearing is really good feedback.”

Andre 3000 Chats with High Snobiety About His Flute Album and Future Music

ANDRÉ 3000 FOR ISSUE 34 OF HIGHSNOBIETY MAGAZINE: https://t.co/qOk8sWeADV pic.twitter.com/4LrEUv4YnD

— highsnobiety (@highsnobiety) February 27, 2024

When asked about the possibility of returning to writing rhymes, 3000 sounded hopeful. “I would love to make a rap album. I just think it’d be an awesome challenge to do a fire-a** album at 48 years old,” he noted. “That’s probably one of the hardest things to do! I would love to do that. That’s the cool thing about my whole ride; it really is a ride.”

Andre 3000 knew that not everyone who loves the rest of his discography would understand his vision for New Blue Sun. Still, the response has been positive enough for the OutKast member to take his instrumental LP out on tour over the past few weeks, and perform some of his songs on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert back in January. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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With Super 7’s New Outkast Action Figures, You Can Now Have Your Own ‘ATLien’ Adventures

February 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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.”

Happy 49th Birthday To Outkast’s Big Boi!

February 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in 1975, Andre Antwon Patton, best known as Big Boi, one-half of the legendary ATL duo Outkast, was born. Patton has morphed into one of this generation’s biggest rappers/actors.

With four Outkast albums and four solo full-length releases of his own, Big Boi is recognized as one of the driving forces that helped spotlight A-Town as a Hip Hop powerhouse city. His acting career rivals that of any of ATL’s pioneers except his partner Andre 3000, with appearances in the movies ATL, Idlewild, and Who’s Your Caddy as well as appearances on the sitcoms such as King Of The Hill.

Happy born day to Sir Lucius! I wish him many more from The Mind Squad!

The post Happy 49th Birthday To Outkast’s Big Boi! first appeared on The Source.

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Killer Mike Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The Rapper

January 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Rapper Killer Mike has an impressive level of wealth and net worth. This isn’t surprising, given the rapper’s talent, passion, and dedication to his craft. Born Michael Santiago Render, he’s not only a Grammy award-winning rapper but also a successful entrepreneur and activist.

Killer Mike Net Worth

As of 2024, Killer Mike’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.

Factors Contributing To Killer Mike’s Net Worth

Photo by Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW)

Killer Mike’s journey to wealth wasn’t a straight line, but the result of years of hard work and perseverance. He gained recognition through his early work with OutKast and his impressive solo career. But his role as one-half of the critically acclaimed duo, Run the Jewels, has solidified his place in the music industry.

Additionally, Killer Mike’s net worth has been boosted by his involvement in various business ventures. These include his barbershop chain, SWAG Shop (Shave, Wash, and Groom), and Greenwood, a digital banking platform designed to serve Black and Latinx communities.

How Killer Mike’s Music Career Impacted His Net Worth

Killer Mike net worth — (Photo by Rick Kern/FilmMagic)

Killer Mike’s music has always been a significant part of his life, and it’s reflected in his net worth. His breakthrough came when he featured on OutKast’s Grammy-winning song, “The Whole World,” in 2001. His solo albums, like R.A.P Music, and his collaboration with El-P as Run the Jewels, have further increased his popularity and wealth.

Killer Mike’s Business Ventures

Beyond his music, Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit contributes to his impressive net worth. His barbershop, SWAG Shop, provides high-quality grooming services, and has become a community hub in Atlanta. Greenwood, his digital banking platform, focuses on providing financial services to underserved communities, reflecting Mike’s commitment to social justice.

Killer Mike’s Activism

(Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

While his activism doesn’t directly contribute to Mike’s net worth, it does enhance his overall public image, indirectly influencing his income. Mike is a well-known social and political activist, advocating for issues such as racial equality, police reform, and economic justice.

The Future Of Killer Mike’s Net Worth

The rapper’s net worth of $5 million in 2024 is a testament to his talent, business acumen, and dedication to his community. As he continues to make music and drive his business ventures forward, there’s every reason to expect his net worth to grow in the coming years.

Conclusion/TLDR

In conclusion, Killer Mike’s net worth is a reflection of his multifaceted career. He’s more than just a rapper; he’s an entrepreneur, an activist, and a leader in his community. His story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about financial wealth, but also about making a positive impact in the world.

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