At this year’s 2023 VMAs, Colombian artist Shakira was honored with the Video Vanguard Award. While many fans applauded the decision, others felt MTV missed an opportunity to pay tribute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary by not honoring a hip-hop artist for the award. SOHH, here’s a compiled list of hip-hop artists who could have been […]
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Only two rap albums have ever taken home the Album Of The Year award at the Grammy’s. The first to ever do it was Lauryn Hill with her certified classic The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. The second and most recent win by a rap album was Outkast in 2004 for their double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album took home multiple awards that night. Those victories helped supplant Andre 3000 and Big Boi as one of the definitive rap groups of all time. In a recent appearance on the Elliott Wilson Experience Big Boi stopped by to give his thoughts on the night, the win, and something surprising that happened in the aftermath.
Firstly Wilson wanted to know the Atlanta legend’s thoughts on Outkast still having the most recent rap album to win Album Of The Year. He asked if that was a good or bad thing. “I mean, good in the sense of the level of respect that the group and the work got for that,” Big Boi answered quickly. “I can remember after we won, Quincy Jones sent me a card and was like, ‘Are you surprised?’ And I was like, ‘But how you get my mothaf*ckin’ address?!’” The full talk is available on Elliott Wilson’s Patreon, but you can watch a clip of it below.
Earlier this year Billboard published a list of their greatest rap groups of all time. Right at the very top spot was Outkast and the hip-hop world mostly rejoiced in their placement. Big Boi himself delivered a pretty simple response to the honor saying “I’ll take it.”
For fans hoping that acknowledgment might be the first step in an eventual Outkast reunion, don’t hold your breath. Back in June frequent Outkast collaborator Sleepy Brown shot down any rumors of the duo getting back together. His main reason for the comments was that Andre 300 was off doing his own thing. What do you think of Big Boi’s stories from Outkast’s legendary 2004 Grammys? Let us know in the comment section below.
Read More: Killer Mike Co-Signs OutKast Fan’s Recreation Of “ATLiens” Beat
[Via]
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During a recent interview, Big Boi shared his thoughts on Billboard naming OutKast the best rap group of all time. The outlet dropped their ranking at the end of June, putting the duo ahead of fan-favorites like Wu-Tang Clan, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest, and more. The list sparked a bit of a debate, with some social media users feeling as though they shouldn’t be considered a “group” because there are only two members. Regardless, the duo has managed to make countless invaluable contributions to the world of hip hop since their ’90s debut.
In a clip of the interview, Elliott Wilson asks Big Boi whether or not the opinions and rankings even mean anything to him anymore. “It just depends who you ask,” he replies, “I’ll take it.” He continues, insisting that it’s subjective. “Everybody’s got an opinion and it just depends on the person, really,” he says. “They don’t do that on the other side,” Big Boi adds, “like, [who’s] the best, Nirvana or Led Zeppelin.” He continues, noting how hip hop in particular tends to put an emphasis on competition among artists. “Go make some jams and shut the f*ck up,” he says.
Read More: Rakim Reacts To Outkast Landing At No. 1 On Billboard’s “Greatest Rap Groups” List
Though Big Boi appears to be relatively unfazed about his group’s ranking, the clip managed to reignite the debate on who the greatest rap group of all time is. As expected, Wu-Tang Clan super fans made their voices heard. A good amount of commenters, however, appear to agree with the sentiment that artists shouldn’t be pit against one another. “We’re all great in our own likeness,” one user notes.
Though fans would love the opportunity to catch OutKast live, it looks like it won’t be happening any time soon. Sleepy Brown told TMZ in June that for the time being, Andre 3000 is only focusing on his own projects. “[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.
Read More: Billboard Names OutKast The Greatest Rap Group Of All Time, Social Media Reacts
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Outkast won’t be reuniting anytime soon… at least that’s what collaborator Sleepy Brown told TMZ recently. The group’s album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, is turning 20 years old this year — but there are no plans for any serious surprises.
“Nah, they not,” he said. “[André 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,” he added. “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.”
Later in the interview, Sleepy Brown was also asked about what his personal favorite Outkast album was.
“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’mma 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.”
Check out Sleepy Brown’s interview about Outkast here.
Don’t expect any new Outkast music, according to Sleepy Brown. The singer was caught at LAX by TMZ, and he stated the run is officially over. The album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below turns 20 this year, and Brown said a reunion isn’t likely.
“They not. Dre is on a whole nother journey and is doing something out there,” Brown said. “Me and Big still going, still doing tours. Don’t hold your breath on any Outkast reunion. If you want to see us we going to be Dungeon Family. That’s about it.”
Meanwhile, Andre 3000 is touring Japan, playing his flute.
André 3000 in Japan with his flute
pic.twitter.com/otWwbdgcwL
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) May 25, 2023
The post Sleepy Brown on a Potential Outkast Reunion: ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ appeared first on The Source.
Andre 3000 is one of hip hop’s most famous geminis, recently celebrating his 48th birthday on May 29th. The hip-hop legend came up alongside Big Boi as one-half of Outkast. Together, they released six studio albums, spawning some of hip-hop’s most iconic records. Andre 3000’s career and legacy have been cemented by Outkast’s historic run but he has since moved on to other successful solo ventures and collaborations. He has had a prolific acting career, notably starring as Jimi Hendrix in the biopic, Jimi: All Is By My Side and the animated series, Class of 3000 on Cartoon Network. Nowadays, he can be seen in random locations playing the flute.
The closest thing to a solo album from André 3000 came in the form of the second disc on Outkast’s penultimate album, Speakerboxxx / The Love Below. The Love Below was handled entirely by Andre, including production. Still, Speakerboxxx / The Love Below was still billed as an Outkast album. Beyond Outkast, André 3000 has produced songs for other artists, including Killer Mike, Kelis, Gwen Stefani, and Kids See Ghosts. He even produced a song on Big Boi’s debut solo album. He also released a 2-song EP in 2018 dedicated to his mother. Since the last Outkast album in 2006, André 3000 has expressed that he has little desire to release a full-length album, though he tends to hop on songs from other artists and obliterate his verses. An André 3000 feature verse is rare but always a moment as he tends to outshine whoever he is on a song with.
This is a list of André 3000’s best solo collaborations, drawing from his work with other artists outside of Outkast. Although some of his recent contributions, such as Kanye West’s “30 Hours,” have been minimal, he’s continuously showcased his unique flare on songs in recent years, such as the remix of Chris Brown’s “Deuces.” Still, Andre 3000 has had some unexpected collabs throughout the years that showcase exactly why he’s a rare breed in hip-hop. Below is a ranking of his best guest appearances throughout the years outside of his work with Big Boi. Take a look at the list below.
What makes “Pink Matter” such a special collaboration is that it goes beyond just a simple guest verse. Frank Ocean pours his heart out onto the song’s slow, melancholic instrumental. For his verse, André 3000 fits perfectly into the pockets of the production’s downbeat rhythm. His contributions aren’t limited to bars, though. He follows his short yet potent verse with a show-stealing guitar solo. Towards the end of the song, André also sings a soulful outro. Many of Andre 3000’s collabs throughout his solo career consist of a guest verse, which is rare on its own. He and Frank Ocean went above and beyond on this song.
Beyoncé’s “Party” is the ultimate summer block party song. The song heavily samples Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s “La Di Da Di.” Beyoncé’s vocals shimmer over the song’s glamorous instrumental before Kanye West strips back the production for André’s verse. He “sets the scene” within his first line and weaves between different flows in a short verse. He approaches the song in a calm and collected manner and seamlessly flows over the beat.
André 3000 and Erykah Badu have a strong relationship, both as co-parents and as musical collaborators. “Hello” is a reflection of both of those relationships. The song interpolates “Hello It’s Me” by The Isley Brothers. It starts with a lush instrumental and André 3000 effortlessly floats over the simple chords with impressive rhyme patterns. He handles the song’s bridge, sings a second verse, and ends the song by singing the outro with Erykah Badu. The song is a highlight in Andre 3000’s solo career.
“The Real Her” is one of Drake’s best collaborations, featuring Lil Wayne and André 3000. In the beautifully moody song, Drake sings about falling in love with a stripper and wanting to know who she really is. Lil Wayne continues the same sentiment when rapping about how she stands out to him even though she has met other rappers. While the two rap about their feelings toward the girl, André focuses on the girl’s experiences. Though this thinking makes him feel attached, he does not give in to temptation.
Throughout his career, André 3000 has appeared on many all-star collaborations, many of which are on this list. No matter who is on the song, he manages to have the best verse, and “I Do” is a prime example of that. He joins Jeezy and JAY-Z for a song that gives “Int’l Players Anthem” vibes. Much like that UGK song, the song is extremely soulful and discusses marriage, although Jeezy and Jay marry the streets on “I Do.” André however, actually expresses his love for his woman.
This song is the most recent addition to André 3000’s best collaborations in his solo career. “Life of the Party” comes from a deluxe version of Kanye West’s Donda album and its soulful instrumental brings fans back into the “old Kanye.” Though Kanye spits one of his best verses in recent memory on the song, it is André 3000 who steals the show before Kanye even begins. He raps about the pain of missing his mother and what he would say to her as he pens his verse.
The intro, interlude, and outro of Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV album are essentially one long posse cut split into three songs. Each song features the same beat. Lil Wayne handles the intro by himself while the outro features Bun B, Nas, Shyne, and Busta Rhymes. “Interlude” is arguably the best out of the three as Tech N9ne spits his signature chopper flow, rapidly impressing with his complex rhyming. While only having 46 seconds to rap, André 3000 comes in with a relaxed verse and nicely contrasts Tech N9ne’s with his raps.
“Play the Guitar” is definitely playful. The funky instrumental allows B.o.B to showcase his animated flow, making for one of his greatest rapping performances. The song is fun on its own but André 3000 steals the show and makes the song his own. Some of the songs on this list are serious rap performances or vulnerable poetry-like verses. However, André is definitely enjoying himself on “Play the Guitar” as he slides across the beat. It makes for one of the most memorable verses of André 3000’s solo career.
“Come Home” is already a compelling album intro on its own as Anderson .Paak provides his signature soul to the percussive production. The 2019 track features a rare contribution from André, who spits a dazzling verse that only he could write. The verse is a masterclass in rhyme schemes as he raps at double time with tongue-twisting bars. The verse is even more magnificent as he manages to squeeze in multiple double entendres that will have you doubling back.
T.I. once admitted that André 3000 outrapped him on “Sorry” and it is clear why. The song is one of T.I.’s best rap performances but Andre 3000 rapped one of his best verses in his post-Outkast career. He starts his verse rapping fast but slows it down after saying, “I don’t even like rapping fast but that’s how the world comes to me.” André incorporates his different flows and cadences throughout the verse, even harmonizing part of it. He ends his verse with a bang, rapping, “all some pussy n**** on the Internet can say is, ‘That verse ain’t good.’”
Like the majority of the collaborations on this last, André 3000 manages to make another artist’s track his own when he hops on it. Rick Ross’s “Sixteen” sounds like it was specifically designed for André to do just that. The idea of the song is that 16 bars just is not enough for a rapper to get their point across, which is articulated in the chorus. On the song, André goes above and beyond, handling the song’s hook and bridge while also rapping a 2-minute verse and playing a guitar solo at the end.
Rick Ross curates the song with a luxurious beat from J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, rapping a clean verse, and leaving everything else to André. Ross spits 32 bars while André raps a whopping 50, reflecting on his upbringing and how it got him to his current position. An André 3000 guest verse may be rare as he has not rapped much in his solo career, but verses like these are what make them such an event.
The post Beyond OutKast: Andre 3000’s Successful Solo Ventures And Collaborations appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
Slick Rick’s influence on hip-hop goes unnoticed by the majority of hip-hop fans in the present day. However, most 90s icons will credit the London-born MC for his impact. Rapper Slick Rick has been sampled across the board, from Beyonce to MF DOOM. Even Snoop Dogg’s “La Di Da Di” off of Doggystyle directly draws inspiration from Dougie E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s iconic “Lodi Dodi.” Nowadays, Slick Rick sits in the hall of fame of East Coast MCs. We’re reflecting on what is arguably his greatest album to date, The Art of Storytelling.
By the time Slick Rick was 18 years old, he was already making waves in the hip-hop industry. He joined Doug E. Fresh’s Get Fresh Crew under the stage name MC Ricky D. The Roots’ Questlove told Rolling Stone, “Point blank: Slick Rick’s voice was the most beautiful thing to happen to hip-hop culture. Rick is full of punchlines, wit, melody, cool cadence, confidence, and style. He is the blueprint.” His early success culminated with his signing to Def Jam Records in 1986, becoming only the third artist who inked a deal with the label.
Just over a decade after his debut album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, the then 34-year-old was in utter need of a career revival. Subsequent projects in the forms of The Ruler’s Back and Behind Bars didn’t achieve the success of Rick’s debut. However, The Ruler was still able to solidify his own sonic lane by the time his fourth studio album rolled around. He made his debut in the late 80s, just as hip-hop began gaining commercial steam. However, as the 90s rolled around, and a new generation of rappers who he influenced emerged, legal issues and other hurdles had him in and out of the public eye throughout the peak of his relevance.
With The Art of Storytelling being Slick Rick’s final album, his overarching vision was to create a record that was timeless. Upon its release, the project reached No.8 on the Billboard 200 and No.1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart. As implied by the album’s name, Slick Rick had garnered a reputation for his iconic pen. Known for tracks that were almost too personal, if such a thing exists, the focus of The Art of Storytelling is on uncompromising honesty. Rather than the grandiosity of many of his contemporaries, Rick was writing verses existing in the weeds of reality.
In particular, the project’s crown jewel would become the Outkast-aided “Street Talkin’.” More specifically, Big Boi shines on what would become one of the most commercially successful cuts in Slick Rick’s discography. The Art of Storytelling also featured Nas, Raekwon, and Snoop Dogg. The star-studded feature list was an obvious testament to how much respect Rick had garnered in the music industry. He assumes a variety of personas to parallel his precarious state of mind throughout The Ary of Storytelling. His morality tales surrounding poverty brought to life the stories of his upbringing. Slick Rick told The Guardian, “I think what I brought to hip-hop was a visual, storybook-type of a style, like reading a children’s book, but in rap form.”
However, the influence of The Art of Storytelling goes beyond its in-depth lyricism. The project’s soundscapes set the DNA for many of hip-hop’s sonic tropes going forward. The Chipmunk-soul induced “Frozen” blatantly wears a Kanye West The College Dropout era hat. Tracks such as “Me & Nas Bring It To Your Hardest” or “I Own America” are engaging boom-bap outings, mirroring the style that Rick grew up around. In addition, the emphasis on the drum pacing feels prototypical of future tracks from groups such as The Neptunes. With much of the album being sampled and referenced throughout future generations, The Art of Storytelling’s influence travels far beyond its numbers.
Leading up to The Art of Storytelling, Slick Rick had been through the wringer. Back in 1990, Slick Rick was convicted of attempted murder in the second degree in 1991. He was sentenced to three-and-a-third-to-ten years in prison. Rick ultimately served five years and twelve days behind bars. The story began with Slick Rick’s mother hiring his first cousin, Mark Plummer, as his bodyguard. However, Plummer would allegedly begin attempting to extort money from the artist while threatening Rick and his mother. The conflict led to Slick Rick firing four shots at Plummer after finding bullet holes in his front door, with one hitting Plummer and another hitting a passerby. While neither were seriously injured, the incident permanently altered Rick’s career.
Slick Rick’s time in prison gave him a fresh mindset heading into The Art of Storytelling. He told The Guardian, “But you learn from your mistakes; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You learn from your prison time, your bad and good situations. It’s like the story of Van Gogh with the ear-cutting-off: it depends on how you look at something.” The primary reason for Rick’s struggling second and third albums was that he was forced to create them in brief moments on bail. The time constraints forced him to rush the project. With The Art of Storytelling, Slick Rick was able to approach the album with a sense of purpose and reflection for the first time in a decade. The result? A generation-defining album for hip-hop.
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.
Read More: Killer Mike’s “R.A.P. Music” Album Turns 11
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 feature Lil 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.
Read More: The 10 Best Outkast Songs
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.
As of 2023, Killer Mike’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
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.
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.
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.
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 rapper’s net worth of $5 million in 2023 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.
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.
