The duo of Atlanta rappers André "André 3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton have often been credited with bringing the Southern hip-hop sound to the mainstream audience as OutKast, creating a distinct sound with elements from funk and psychedelic, jazz, and techno.
With six Grammy Awards and multiple chart-topping hits, OutKast has become one of the most massive hip-hop acts of modern times. To experience the rare musicality of André 3000 and Big Boi, here are some of the OutKast vinyl records to add to your collection.
ATLiens
The 1990s were a time of artistic and colorful cover arts, and OutKast's ATLiens is a great example. Their second album, whose name references their native Atlanta (thus, ATL-iens), is filled with themes relating to outer space in both its music and lyrics. It debuted right at the second spot of the Billboard 200, with generally positive reception from both critics and audiences.
Among the hit songs spawned by the 1996 "ATLiens" include its title track, as well as the songs "Jazzy Belle" and "Elevators (Me & You)."
Aquemini
Following "ATLiens" is the 1998 album "Aquemini," derived from the duo's Zodiac signs - Big Boi was an Aquarius while André 3000 was a Gemini. More than their signs, the album is an introspection on their personalities, which is reflected in the 16-track collection.
The double-platinum "Aquemini" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums charts. Listen to an assortment of hits such as "Hold On, Be Strong," "Return of the 'G,'" and the briefly controversial "Rosa Parks."
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
The hip-hop duo we now know as OutKast started when André 3000 and Big Boi were still high school students in 1992. Two years later, OutKast released their debut "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik," whose single "Player's Ball" threw the gates wide open for the next big hip-hop act.
As teenage artists, their debut album contained tracks about coming of age, using a hip-hop vessel with funk and soul elements. In a time where East Coast and West Coast artists are vying for hip-hop dominance, their entry as representatives of "Southern hip-hop" was lauded by critics and music journalists.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
This OutKast double album allowed both artists to have an album to themselves. Big Boi's "Speakerboxx" was a solid Southern hip-hop work with socially-conscious themes of family and relationships, religion, politics, and other philosophical musings. On the other hand, André 3000's "The Love Below" is an experimental work infusing psychedelic, funk, pop, jazz, and electronic elements often compared to Prince's music.
As separate works of equally creative foundations, the album spawned hits, the most notable of which is "The Way You Move" (Speakerboxxx) and "Hey Ya!" (The Love Below).
Stankonia
"Stankonia" is the duo's fourth studio album and the name of their newly-purchased recording facility in Atlanta. The landmark hip-hop work marked Andre's shift to a more vocal style of performing instead of straight rapping. It also featured local musicians from Atlanta, where their new office was located.
This album gave OutKast their first Billboard Hot 100 single with "Ms. Jackson," followed by other hits "B.O.B" and "So Fresh, So Clean."
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