Long before "Stankonia" was funkin' up the airwaves the Georgia duo, Andre Benjamin a.k.a. Dre and Antwan Patton a.k.a. Big Boi a.k.a. Daddy Fat Sacks, who make up the hip-hop group OutKast released a funky little two track single entitled "ATLiens/Wheelz of Steel." This was the second single from their platinum selling album, ATLiens which was released in Novemer of 1996. This single was put on record store shelves approximately four months after the release of the album and did not gain the critical acclaim that the first single "Elevators" enjoyed. The single is pretty much no frills, featuring only the album versions of the songs ATLiens and Wheelz of Steel and no remixes or bonus tracks.

TRACK 1: This song is the title track from the album that shares its name. The song opens with a some "Close Encounters," futuristic sounding frequencies similar to those used in the opening of Schooly D's song "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" These space age tones are abruptly interrupted by keyboards which are spoken over by Big Boi who says, "Ya, uh East Point, smoke some dank..." He continues the short introduction dropping some names and places. Some of the better metaphors included in the first verse are: When I'm on the microphone you best to wear your sweater, 'Cause I'm cooler than a polar bear's toe nails, oh hell..." and "You got me bent like elbows amongst other things, but I'm not worried." "The verse ends with the chorus (which I'm presenting in the phonetic spelling to give you an idea of what it sounds like) "Now throw yur hands in the ayer and wave 'em like you just don't cayer and if you like fish and grits and all that pimp sh*t, then everybody let me hear ya say oh yayer." The chorus, which is backed up by funky keyboards is quite catchy, which makes the song ideal to play at a party or put on a party mix CD-R or tape. Dre spits a solid metaphor to open the second verse, saying, "My oral illustration be like clitoral stimulation to the female gender..." The last gives a positive message saying that God works in mysterious ways and, "We be so sincere with this here, No drugs or alcohol, so we can keep the signal clear." Overall, I believe this is one of the best tracks ever crafted by OutKast.

TRACK 2: This is the album version of the song Wheelz of Steel. It has fast rhymes over a medium paced beat. The track opens with the faint fast scratching of a snare drum, spoken over in a mellow voice saying, "As I sit in a b-boy stance...in flip-flops and socks and sweat pants--I'm fittin' to enhance your brain." The bassline promptly ends the introduction and is immediately followed by fast paced rhymes talking about the tough times growing up in East Point and how they don't sell dope. The medium paced beat is accompanied by a slow sythasized guitar riff similar to that used in Boogie Down Production's song "Illegal Business." The riff doesn't really sound synthesized, but I'm assuming it is since no guitar player or sample is cited in the notes on the single. The chorus is slow and melodic, "On the wheelz of steal...show me how you feel" sung in a synthesizer enhanced voice over fast scratching. The next verse talks about their climb up the ladder to hip-hop stardom and the stumbling blocks they overcame to make it to the top. The song ends with the scratching of sounds similar to that of D.J. Richie Rich's work on Third Bass' song "3 Strikes 5000." Overall, this is a strong track, though I can think of many other songs by OutKast that beat this one hands down.

These two songs don't really sound much alike, aside from Big Boi and Dre's distinctive voices. The diversity of the two tracks on the single exhibit the versatility of styles and musical innovations present on all OutKast albums. Much like the Beastie Boys, songs by OutKast represent their own eclectic taste in music blended with their own highly creative rhymes. Their ability to fear no boundaries is evident in all their songs and presents them with unlimited possibilities within the genre of hip-hop. OutKast opened the door for lesser innovative down South rappers such as Master P and the Hot Boys.

If you want to hear a couple of tracks from some Dirty South rappers that don't sound like the mass produced, consumer targeted albums that record companies like No Limit and Cash Money grind out on a seemingly daily basis, then treat yourself to this or any single from OutKast. These clearly talented and innovative rappers from Atlanta might just change your mind about Dirty South hip-hop.

If you enjoy this single from OutKast you'll probably like their albums which include:
"Southernplayasticadillacmuzik," "Aquemini," and "Stankonia." Some other artists you may like if you enjoy OutKast are Youngbloodz, Ludacris, and Goodie Mobb. Youngbloodz have a great track that features Big Boi called "85" off of their album "Against Da Grain." I can't honestly say that any of these artist's albums are as solid as those by OutKast, but if you can pick them up used or off of Napster, they are worth looking into.

For up to date information about OutKast visit http://www.outkast.com

Recommended: Yes