HERE’S What Happened to OutKast: The Rap Duo (2023 Update)

Known for being a major force in the revolutionizing of hip-hop music, the duo, OutKast remains one of the most respected hip-hop groups to emerge from not just 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, they achieved critical and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. They 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 was 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. 

The recurring question of what happened to the duo OutKast has a simple answer, which is that OutKast broke up in the year 2006. For some reason, they seized to exist as a duo.

Maybe they outgrew each other or maybe not. In this article, we will look further into why they broke up. 

What happened to Outkast?

OutKast was an American hip-hop duo formed in 1992 in East Point, Georgia, consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi. 

They released their debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” in 1994, which received critical acclaim and helped to establish them as one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop acts of the 1990s and 2000s. 

However, in 2007, the duo announced an indefinite hiatus, and they have not released any new music as OutKast since then.

There are several reasons why OutKast split up, although the exact details of their breakup are not entirely clear. One of the main reasons cited by both André 3000 and Big Boi is “creative differences.” 

In an interview with Billboard in 2014, André 3000 said, “As we started getting older and going in different directions, I think we just naturally started to evolve into different artists.” Big Boi has also spoken about how their different musical interests led them to pursue solo projects.

In an interview with NPR in 2017, he said, “I’m just a little bit more aggressive with the music. André likes to take his time and paint pictures.” Another factor in OutKast’s breakup was reportedly tension between André 3000 and Big Boi.

In a 2019 interview with Rick Rubin, André 3000 said that he and Big Boi “were brothers, but there were times that we were at odds.” 

He also spoke about how he felt trapped by OutKast’s success and wanted to explore different musical genres and styles.

Despite their split, both André 3000 and Big Boi have continued to have successful careers in music. André 3000 has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Travis Scott.

He has also pursued acting, appearing in films such as “Four Brothers” and “High Life.” Big Boi has released several solo albums and has collaborated with artists such as Sleepy Brown and Phantogram.

André 3000 Talks Outkast, Acting and More on The Breakfast Club: 

Why did Outkast break up?

OutKast’s breakup was due to a combination of factors, including creative differences, personal tensions, and a desire to pursue individual artistic paths.

Creative differences played a significant role in the duo’s split. In interviews, both André 3000 and Big Boi have spoken about how their different musical interests and approaches led them to pursue solo projects. 

André 3000 has said that they “naturally started to evolve into different artists,” while Big Boi has described himself as “more aggressive with the music” than André.

This divergence in musical direction led to a creative stalemate that eventually culminated in their hiatus.

Personal tensions may have also contributed to OutKast’s breakup. In a 2019 interview with Rick Rubin, André 3000 revealed that he and Big Boi “were brothers, but there were times that we were at odds.” 

The intense creative process, combined with the pressures of fame and fortune, may have taken a toll on their relationship.

Lastly, André 3000’s desire to explore different musical genres and styles may have been a significant factor in their split.

In an interview with The Fader, he said that he felt trapped by OutKast’s success and wanted to break out of the box that they had created for themselves. 

This desire to pursue individual artistic paths led to André 3000 collaborating with a wide range of artists and pursuing acting, while Big Boi released several solo albums and collaborated with other musicians.

About Andre 3000 – Brief Bio

André 3000, whose real name is André Lauren Benjamin, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and producer. He was born on May 27, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia.

He is best known as one half of the hip-hop duo OutKast, which he formed with his high school friend, Big Boi. André 3000 is known for his unique rapping style, eclectic fashion sense, and diverse musical influences.

André 3000 began his music career in the early 1990s with OutKast, releasing their debut album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” in 1994.

The album was a critical and commercial success, earning the duo widespread recognition in the hip-hop world. 

Over the next decade, OutKast released several more critically acclaimed albums, including “ATLiens” and “Aquemini.

In addition to his work with OutKast, André 3000 has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Gorillaz. 

He has also pursued a solo career, releasing a number of singles and contributing to soundtracks for films such as “The Great Gatsby” and “The Love Below.”

André 3000 has also made a name for himself in the world of acting, appearing in films such as “Four Brothers” and “Jimi: All Is by My Side.” He has also been involved in fashion and design, launching his own clothing line in 2008.

André 3000 on the Future of OutKast and His Next Album | GQ – 

What Happened to Andre 3000?

André 3000 has had a successful solo career since OutKast’s hiatus in 2007. He has released several singles and contributed to numerous soundtracks, showcasing his versatility as a musician and artist.

In 2003, André 3000 released “The Love Below,” a solo album that was also part of OutKast’s double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” 

The album featured André 3000 singing more than rapping, and it showcased his interest in funk, jazz, and soul music.

The album was a critical and commercial success, earning several Grammy awards and spawning hit singles like “Hey Ya!” and “Roses.”

Since then, André 3000 has continued to collaborate with other musicians and work on various solo projects. In 2018, he released a solo track titled “Me&My (To Bury Your Parents),” which he described as a tribute to his late parents.

In addition to music, André 3000 has also pursued an acting career, appearing in films such as “Be Cool” and “Semi-Pro.” He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Jimi Hendrix in the 2013 biopic “Jimi: All is by My Side.”

As far as we know, André 3000 is still alive and well. There have been no reports of his passing or any health issues.

While he has largely kept a low profile in recent years, he remains an influential and respected figure in the music and entertainment industry.

About Big Boi – Brief Bio

Big Boi, whose real name is Antwan André Patton, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He was born on February 1, 1975, in Savannah, Georgia.

He is best known as one-half of the hip-hop duo OutKast, which he formed with André 3000 in the early 1990s. Big Boi is known for his distinctive Southern rap style, which blends funk, soul, and other musical influences.

With OutKast, Big Boi released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” “ATLiens,” and “Aquemini.”

The duo was known for their innovative approach to hip-hop, incorporating live instrumentation and unconventional song structures.

In addition to his work with OutKast, Big Boi has also released several solo albums, including “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty” and “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.”

His solo work has showcased his versatility as an artist, incorporating elements of rock, funk, and electronic music.

Big Boi has also collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, and Killer Mike. He has received several awards and nominations for his work, including multiple Grammy awards.

Outside of music, Big Boi has also pursued an acting career, appearing in films like “ATL” and “Superfly.”

He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting music education in schools and working with organizations that provide resources to underprivileged communities.

Big Boi Talks OutKast, Dungeon Family, and More | ComplexCon(versations) – 

What Happened to Big Boi?

After OutKast went on hiatus in 2007, Big Boi pursued a successful solo career. In 2010, he released his debut solo album, “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty,” which was critically acclaimed and commercially successful. 

The album showcased Big Boi’s skills as a rapper and his ability to blend different musical styles, including funk, rock, and electronic music.

Since then, Big Boi has continued to release solo albums, including “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors” in 2012 and “Boomiverse” in 2017.

He has also collaborated with a range of artists, including Phantogram, Killer Mike, and Run the Jewels.

In addition to his music career, Big Boi has also been involved in various acting projects, including guest appearances on TV shows like “The Quad” and “American Crime Story.” 

He has also been involved in several philanthropic efforts, including supporting music education in schools and working with organizations that provide resources to underprivileged communities.

As far as we know, Big Boi is still alive and well. There have been no reports of his passing or any health issues.

He continues to be an influential and respected figure in the music industry, known for his creativity, talent, and dedication to his craft.

What is the current state of OutKast?

As of now, OutKast remains on hiatus, and there has been no official statement from the group regarding their future plans or any potential reunion.

However, despite their hiatus, both André 3000 and Big Boi have remained active in the music industry.

André 3000 continues to work on various music projects, including collaborations with artists like James Blake and Kid Cudi. 

While he has not released a full-length album since OutKast’s 2006 album “Idlewild,” he has been featured on several tracks and has expressed a desire to continue creating music.

Similarly, Big Boi has continued to release solo albums and collaborate with other artists. In recent years, he has worked with artists like Phantogram and Run the Jewels and has released several successful solo projects.

Despite the lack of any official statement from the group, fans continue to hold out hope for a potential OutKast reunion or new music from the duo. 

While there is no way to know for sure what the future holds for OutKast, both André 3000 and Big Boi remain active and influential figures in the music industry, and their impact on hip-hop and popular music is undeniable.

Fans React to OutKast’s Indefinite Hiatus – 

Conclusion

In conclusion, OutKast is one of the most iconic and influential hip-hop groups of all time, known for their innovative approach to music and their unique blend of Southern rap, funk, and other musical genres. 

Despite going on hiatus in 2007, both André 3000 and Big Boi have remained active in the music industry, with successful solo careers and collaborations with other artists.

While the future of OutKast remains uncertain, their legacy as pioneers of hip-hop and influential musicians continue to be felt today.

Their impact on popular music and culture is undeniable, and their music continues to be celebrated and appreciated by fans around the world.

Whether or not OutKast ever reunites or releases new music, their contributions to the world of music will continue to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.