Big Boi and Andre have formed one of the most celebrated hip hop groups since A Tribe Called Quest. After breaking into the scene back in the early 90’s, it has been nothing but a snowball effect for them ever since. Crafting their own style highlighted by their skilled lyricism, catchy Atlanta slang talk, and thick southern accents, the Outkast have challenged the limits of hip hop sounds with the diverse production of Organized Noize. The result is a ‘southernplayalisticfunkycadillacmuzic’ that rocks in the ears of mainstream and hardcore hip hop fans. Aquemini, their third album, is a splendid example of Outkast taking hip hop to a new level.
The first two released tracks from the album were a perfect example of Outkast’s evolution. “Rosa Parks” and “Skew it on the Bar-B feat. Raekwon” both showed off their lyrical prowess and the ease and speed of their flow which has become their trademark. The track with Raekwon of the was especially an example of how they melded their southern-funkalistic Dirty South sound to that of one of hip hop’s legendary groups out of New York, the Wu-tang. Now they didn’t change their production to fit Raekwon’s Wu-tang style, but rather they laid a bass heavy track that allows the listener to focus on the message the MC’s have to say while still bobbing their heads. The one thing that both of these tracks proved was that despite all of the experimentation and pushing the boundaries of hip hop, that Outkast were ‘da party people make da club get crunk!”
Outkast then went on to remix one of their tracks called “Da Art of Storytellin (Part 1)” with “The Ruler” Slick Rick! Accompanied by a wild video using puppet recreations of Andre and Big Boi, Outkast delivered another radio hit and a unique video. Of course, this trend has been no surprise to long time fans of Outkast who enjoy their first two successful albums.
Now on the flip side, Outkast ventured with sounds and styles that were soulful and funky yet not always envisioned with hip hop. As a result, ‘Synthesizer’ featuring funk legend George Clinton popped onto the track listing. This track has a bass heavy electro-psychadelic sound that Big Boi and Andre spin tales of fake MC’s in the game springboarding off the styles of TRUE hip hop innovators. They also point out our societies infatuation with the surreal with all of the plastic surgery, natural enhancements, and physical alterations that we’ve all seen experienced at some time. Andre said it the best in one of his verses:
“Synthesizer
microwave me
give me a drug so I can make several babies….
Sythesizer preachers can reach you up in the pulpit…
Instant quick grits new improved
Hurry hurry rush rush
World on the move
Marijuana illegal but cigarettes cool
I might look kinda funny but I ain’t no fool…”
Another funked out track bringing memories of their first album was the track “SpottieOttiedopalicious”. Throughout the song, ‘Sleepy’ Brown provide a nostalgic verse while Andre spins a tale of a club scene gone wrong. All the while, horns carry the chorus of “Da*&, da$#, da$#, James”.
Other songs on the album seem to ‘break the mold’ as well. Probably the most notable (and my personal favorite) is a powerful song featuring Cee-Lo and Erykah Badu called ‘Liberation’. This song contains and Organized Noize produced track that really defines their versatility. The track is lead by a solemn acoustic piano and driven by a well played bass guitar and drums. It is an almost 9 minute song of emotion and beauty. The track is really elevated by Cee-lo’s passionate verse where he seems to almost testify singing:
“I’m so tired, been so long stugglin
Hopelessly for seven and forty days
I sacrifice every breath I breathe, to make you believe
I’d give my life away
Oh lord, I’m so tired, I’m so tired
My feet feel like I walked most of the way on my own
All on my own
We alive but we ain’t livin
That why I’m givin until its gone
Cause I don’t wanna be alone
If anything I can say to help you find your way
Touch your soul, make ya whole
The same for you and I
Ain’t a minute that goes by that I don’t believe we can fly
But I can feel it in the wind, beginnin or the end
So people keep your head to the sky!”
You can feel the sincerity and emotion in every word and line in his short verse. Shortly following his is Erykah Badu’s verse in which see sings in a tone that sounds almost like she is or was in tears or sorrow following Cee-Lo’s vocals. Rightly so, this song embodies a lot of what Outkast stand for and have done for the ‘sound’ of hip hop.
All the while, Aquemini ( the union of an Aquarius and a Gemini) reveals the versatility and skill of two Atlanta musicians who continue to change the game and bring respect to the ‘Dirty South’ sound.
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