Known for being a major force in the revolutionizing of hip-hop/rap music, the duo, OutKast remains one of the most respected hip-hop groups to emerge not just from Atlanta, Georgia, but also from the United States.
The rap duo was made up of rappers, André “3000” Benjamin (who was formerly known as Dré) and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton. Together, these two achieved critical and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. Outkast helped popularize Southern hip-hop.
With a unique and gritty sound that synergized funk, gospel, rock, ragtime, rave, and every other style and idiom. OutKast revolutionized the 1990s hip-hop and cemented their names on both the sands of time and the hearts of hip-hop lovers.
Undoubtedly, the duo were on top of their game and were known for doing what other rappers at the time could never imagine. OutKast normalized the use of live instrumentation in hip-hop music. Their sounds were not just “funky,” it was also real.
Outkast somehow helped open up a new lane for music artists who wanted to opt out of hip-hop and experiment with other sounds.
Although they incorporated influence from many other styles and genres like jazz, funk, pop and even rock, Outkast still maintained a high level of authenticity when it came to hip-hop.
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All About Outkast
Outkast, sometimes spelt OutKast, was an immensely popular American hip-hop duo established in Atlanta, in the year 1992. Rappers Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and André “3000” Benjamin, who was known as Dré in the past made up the pair.
From the middle of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, Outkast enjoyed tremendous critical and financial success. Their distinctive sound, complex poetry, catchy melodies, and uplifting themes contributed to the spread of Southern hip-hop.
André 3000 and Big Boi first met as adolescents at Atlanta’s Lenox Square retail centre. Outkast was created while they were still in high school, and their album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” was published in 1994.
The smash single “Player’s Ball,” which peaked at position one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks list, helped the album acquire recognition. The duo’s later albums, like “Aquemini” (1998) and “ATLiens” (1996) furthered the development of their style by mixing funk, jazz, and techno influences.
Outkast gained widespread recognition in 2000 through to the success of their album “Stankonia,” which featured the smash singles “B.O.B.” and “Ms Jackson”
The band’s most popular album, “The Love Below” (2003), was a double CD that featured both members’ solo work.
Big Boi’s “Speakerboxxx” retained a more conventional hip-hop aesthetic, while André 3000’s half, “The Love Below,” featured a more varied and experimental sound.
The record received a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and also won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Outkast has dabbled in the film world, appearing in the musical drama “Idlewild” in 2006 and creating its soundtrack.
Midway through the 2000s, Outkast momentarily broke up, and both André 3000 and Big Boi went their separate ways. They came back together in 2014 to perform at numerous festivals worldwide in honour of the 20th anniversary of their first record.
Most people agree that Outkast is among the top and most influential hip-hop groups of all time. Outkast won praise from critics for their creativity and were leaders in extending the appeal of Southern hip-hop.
How Many Albums Does Outkast Have? – Discography
Outkast has had a productive and successful musical career, having released six studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, and one video album.
They’ve also released several singles as lead and featured artists, promotional singles, and music videos.
Both critics and audiences have warmly regarded Outkast’s music throughout their career, and they have left a lasting impression on hip-hop and the music business.
Their desire to experiment with numerous genres and push creative boundaries has earned them a devoted following and a spot among the most influential hip-hop bands ever. Here is a tabled list of Outkast’s discography:
Albums
| ALBUMS | YEAR OF RELEASE |
| Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik | 1994 |
| ATLiens | 1996 |
| Aquemini | 1998 |
| Stankonia | 2000 |
| The Love Below | 2003 |
| Idlewind | 2006 |
Videos
| VIDEO | YEAR OF RELEASE |
| Players Ball | 1993 |
| Benz or a Beamer | 1995 |
| In Due Time | 1997 |
| Pare to Be Different | 2007 |
| BET Official-Presents Outkast | 2006 |
| The Video | 2003 |
| Outkast (Uncovered) | 2001 |
| Stankonia | 2000 |
| Roses | 2004 |
| Don’tchu Worry Bout Me | 2006 |
Awards
| AWARD | SINGLE/ALBUM | YEAR |
| Alternative Performance | Hey Ya! | 2003 |
| Album of the Year | The Love Below | 2003 |
| Best Rap Album | The Love Below | 2003 |
| Best Rap Album Performance by A Duo Group | Whole World | 2002 |
| Best Rap Album Performance by A Duo Group | Ms. Jackson | 2002 |
| Beest Rap Album | Stankonia | 2001 |
Nominations
| NOMINEE | AWARD | YEAR |
| Outkast | Artist of The Year | 2003 |
| Hey Yah | Viewers Choice-BET Awards | 2002 |
| The WaY yOU Move | Best Collaboration-BET Awards | 2004 |
| Idlewind | Outstanding Original Score-Black Real Awards | 2007 |
| International Prayer Anthem | Best Rap Performance by a Duo Group- | 2008 |
Outkast Album Ranked
6. “Idlewild” (2006)
“Idlewild” is at the bottom of the list because it sounds different from what Outkast is known for. Even though it has some creative moments and shows how versatile the duo is, the record doesn’t flow well and needs to have the magic of their earlier work.
Trying to mix hip-hop with a retro jazz sound feels disjointed and weakens both styles. Even so, songs like “Mighty O” and “Morris Brown” show how good Outkast is. Best Songs:
Album score-5.5/10
5. “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” (1994)
Outkast’s first record showed off their unique sound, a mix of Southern rap and funk. Even though it sets the stage for their later success, it is more mature and complex than their later work.
The music is pretty simple, and the lyrics could have been better. Still, songs like “Player’s Ball” and “Git Up, Git Out” show their talent. Best Songs:
Album score:6/10
4. “Idlewild” (2006)
Outkast’s “Idlewild” changed their usual hip-hop sound because it was more experimental. Even though the record could be better put together than their previous work, it’s admirable that they tried to mix styles.
It mixes hip-hop with parts of jazz and blues to show how versatile those styles are. “Idlewild Blue (Don’tchu Worry ‘Bout Me)” and “The Train” show how experimental the record is. Best Song:
Album score:7/10
“ATLiens” has themes that make them think about themselves, which shows how they’ve grown as artists. The production has a more spacey and ethereal feel, which sets the stage for their later experiments.
Songs like “Elevators (Me & You)” and “ATLiens” show how their style has changed over the years. Best Songs:
Album score:8/10
2. “Aquemini” (1998)
“Aquemini” cemented Outkast’s reputation as hip-hop’s leaders of the future. The record mixes different types of music well while keeping a strong hip-hop base. Its lyrics are majorly about faith, identity, and problems in society.
Here is where André 3000 and Big Boi work best together. Songs like “Rosa Parks” and “Liberation” show how well they work together. Best Songs:
Album score:9/10]
1. “Stankonia” (2000)
“Stankonia” is a classic that changed hip-hop forever. Outkast was fearless in trying new things, which led to a diverse and cohesive record. The production is creative and has a lot of different sounds, and the words talk about many different things.
The impact of the record can’t be denied, and it has some of their most famous songs, like:
Album score: 9.5/10
What Happened to Outkast?
Outkast did not split up or declare a breakup. Instead, they took a long break after their final performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2007.
The duo did not directly state the reasons for the hiatus, although some things influenced their decision.
André 3000’s increasing concentration on his acting career was one of the contributing factors. He began taking on film jobs, which needed his time and attention, forcing him to leave the music industry.
André 3000 revealed a desire to explore his creativity through acting in interviews, and this shift in focus may have impacted the decision to take a break.
André 3000 stated in a 2006 interview with MTV that he no longer felt the same joy about making music as he did before.
This loss of passion and creative drive may have influenced the choice to leave Outkast. It’s typical for musicians to feel burned out after years of creating music and taking a break might be a good way to recharge and find new ideas.
Another issue could have been the strain of living up to the high expectations set by their prior successful albums. Outkast had created revolutionary and impactful music, and the duo may have found it difficult to live up to that history.
Despite the break, André 3000 and Big Boi each pursued solo careers, exhibiting their respective talents and artistic orientations. The 2014 reunion at Coachella was a watershed event for fans, bringing back the nostalgia and thrill of seeing Outkast on stage reunited.
While the reunion was brief, it demonstrated Outkast’s ongoing popularity and influence in the music industry. Below are links explaining their whereabouts:
What Is the Current State of the Outkast?
Presently, OutKast is taking a break from their music career. They have not released any official statement about their plans for the future or a prospective reunion.
André 3000 has been collaborating with artists like Kid Cudi and James Blake on various music projects.
Although he hasn’t worked on a full album since OutKast’s “Idlewild,” a 2006 album, he has appeared on multiple recordings and expressed the aspiration to continue making music.
Big Boi, on the other hand, has been releasing solo projects and albums, while also working with other musicians. Recently, he has collaborated with Run the Jewels and Phantogram. Fans still hope for a possible reunion or a new music release from the duo.
However, it’s impossible to predict their future. Regardless, Big Boi and André 3000’s influence on popular music and hip-hop is undeniable.
Conclusion
André 3000 and Big Boi changed hip-hop with their bold mix of styles and desire to go where no one had before. Their names are written in the history books of the genre.
OutKast came from the rough streets of Atlanta as a force that changed Southern hip-hop and the world. Even though OutKast hasn’t been in the news as much in recent years, their influence lives on.
Even though each member of OutKast is now going in a different direction, the group’s sound can still be heard in the beats and rhythms of modern artists who they influenced.
As the sounds of their most famous songs continue to draw people in, OutKast’s legacy is a reminder that real greatness goes beyond genres and times.
Their story shows how important it is to try new things, be open to change, and leave a lasting mark on the world through music.
