The group's original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-Funk. Since then funk, soul, pop, electronic music, rock, spoken word poetry, jazz, and blues have been added to the group's musical palette. The duo consists of Atlanta native André "Andre 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is one of only four hip-hop albums to be certified Diamond in the U.S. for shipping over 10 million units. Along with Outkast's commercial success, they have maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.
Benjamin and Patton met while attending Tri-Cities High School, a Visual and Performing Arts School. Benjamin's parents were divorced and he was living with his father. Meanwhile, Patton had to move with his four brothers and six sisters from Savannah to Atlanta. Benjamin and Patton eventually teamed up and were pursued by Organized Noize, a group of local producers who would later make hits for TLC. The duo initially wanted to be called "2 Shades Deep" or "The Misfits", but because those names were already taken they later decided to use "OutKast" based on finding "outcast" as synonym for "misfit" in a dictionary. OutKast, Organized Noize, and schoolmates Goodie Mob formed the nucleus of the Dungeon Family organization.
OutKast signed to LaFace Records in 1992, becoming the label's first hip hop act and making their first appearance on the remix of label mate TLC's "What About Your Friends". In 1993, they released their first single, "Player's Ball". The song's funky style, much of it accomplished with live instrumentation, was a hit with audiences. "Player's Ball" hit number-one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.
Their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was issued on April 26th, 1994. This initial effort is credited with laying the foundation for southern hip hop and is considered a classic by many hip hop aficionados. Every track on Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was produced by Organized Noize and featured other members of the Dungeon Family. Follow-up singles included the title track and "Git Up Git Out", a politically charged collaboration with Goodie Mob that was later sampled by Macy Gray for her 1999 hit "Do Something." On this early material, both André and Big Boi contrast lyrical content reflecting the lifestyles of pimps and gangsters with politically conscious material commenting on the status of African Americans in the South. OutKast won Best New Rap Group at the Source Awards in 1995. In the same year, the group contributed "Benz or a Beamer" to the popular New Jersey Drive soundtrack.
ATLiens was OutKast's second album, released on August 27th, 1996. The album exhibited more self-consciousness, and further solidified OutKast as the flagship representatives of the 1st generation Dungeon Family and the Southern hip hop movement. The album helped the group earn more recognition among East Coast hip hop fans in the East and West coasts.
For this album, OutKast joined with partner David "Mr. DJ" Sheats to form the Earthtone III production company, which allowed the group to produce some of their own tracks. "ATLiens" was the group's second Top 40 single (following "Player's Ball" from their first album), and reflected the beginning of André's increasingly sober lifestyle: "No drugs or alcohol/so I can get the signal clear," he rhymes about himself. "Elevators (Me & You)," OutKast's first self-produced single, became the group's first Top 20 hit the same year.
OutKast's third album Aquemini was released on September 29, 1998 and also reached the number-two position on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States; its title was a combination of the zodiac signs of Big Boi (an Aquarius) and André (a Gemini). The album was widely praised as possibly the group's best material to date: when reviewed by popular hip-hop publication The Source, it received the much-coveted "5 Mics" (out of five) rating.
Producing more material themselves, both Big Boi and André explored more eclectic subject matter, delving into sounds inspired by soul, trip hop, and electro music. The album featured production by Organized Noize and collaborations with Raekwon, funk pioneer and musical forebear George Clinton, and Goodie Mob.
In 1999, OutKast and LaFace Records were sued by Rosa Parks over the album's most successful radio single, which bore Parks' name as its title. The lawsuit alleged that the song misappropriated Parks' name, and also objected to some of the song's obscene language.
The song's lyrics were largely unrelated to Parks, save for a line in the chorus: "Ah ha, hush that fuss / Everybody move to the back of the bus". The song, which OutKast maintained was intended partly as homage, only refers to Parks as a metaphor: the purpose of the song's chorus is to imply that OutKast is overturning hip hop's old order, that people should make way for a new style and sound. The initial lawsuit was dismissed. Parks' representation hired lawyer Johnnie Cochran to appeal the decision in 2001, but the appeal was denied on First Amendment grounds. In 2003, the Supreme Court allowed Parks' lawyers to proceed with the lawsuit.
In 2004, the judge in the case appointed an impartial representative for Parks after her family expressed concerns that her caretakers and her lawyers were pursuing the case based on their own financial interest. Later that same year, the members of OutKast were dropped as co-defendants, and Parks' lawyers continued to seek action against LaFace and parent company BMG. In 2003 André told UK journalist Angus Batey that, following a Detroit concert in the midst of the legal battle, relatives of Parks had approached him and implied that the case was less to do with Rosa than with the lawyers. The suit was finally settled on April 14, 2005, with neither OutKast nor their label having to admit any wrongdoing. The group did, however, have to agree to perform some sort of tribute to Parks.
Originally titled "Sandbox", the pair's fourth album, "Stankonia", was released in October 2000 to excellent reviews. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., and would eventually be certified quadruple-platinum. Stankonia's first single was "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)", a high-tempo jungle-influenced record. The second single, "Ms. Jackson," combined a pop hook with lyrics about divorce and relationship breakups, particularly André's breakup with singer Erykah Badu; the titular "Ms. Jackson" character being a doppelgänger for Badu's mother. It was at this time that André changed his stage name to the current "André 3000".
The single became their first pop hit, landing the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the number-two position on the UK Singles Chart. The album's final single was the Organized Noize-produced "So Fresh, So Clean", featuring a credited guest appearance from regular guest vocalist and Organized Noize-member Sleepy Brown and garnered a remix featuring Snoop Dogg. All three singles' videos had heavy MTV2 airplay, and Outkast won two 2001 Grammy Awards, one for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ms. Jackson", and another for Stankonia as Best Rap Album.
During the recording of Stankonia, OutKast and Mr. DJ began producing tracks for the artists on their Aquemini Records imprint through Columbia, including Slimm Cutta Calhoun and Killer Mike, who made his debut on Stankonia's "Snappin' & Trappin."
Webzine Pitchforkmedia.com named Stankonia the 4th greatest album released between 2000 and 2004 in its 2005 feature. In 2009, B.O.B. was chosen as the number one song of the decade.
In December 2001, OutKast released a greatest hits album, Big Boi and Dre Present...OutKast, which also contained three new tracks. One of these new tracks was the single "The Whole World," which won a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Killer Mike also was featured on the song, gaining some exposure among areas outside of his native Atlanta. The other two new songs were called "Funkin' Around" and "Movin' Cool (The After Party)"
The same year OutKast participated in the only Dungeon Family group album, Even in Darkness, along with Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Sleepy Brown, Witchdoctor, and Backbone among others, and featuring Bubba Sparxxx, Shuga Luv and Mello. In 2002, the group and Killer Mike contributed the lead single "Land of a Million Drums" to the Scooby Doo soundtrack.
In September 2003, OutKast released a double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. It is essentially two solo albums, one by each member, packaged as a single release under the OutKast banner; the two members also appear on each others' discs for a few songs apiece. Big Boi's Speakerboxxx is largely a funk and Dirty South blended party record; André 3000's The Love Below features only brief instances of hip hop, presenting instead elements found in funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and R&B.
The album is also OutKast's biggest commercial success yet, having debuted on the Billboard 200 albums chart at number-one and stayed there for several weeks. The album eventually sold over five million copies, and, as double-album sales count double for Recording Industry Association of America certification, the album was certified diamond for 10 million units shipped in December 2004. Its latest certification, in May 2006, reaches 11 million copies in shipping.
The first two singles from the album(s), which were released nearly simultaneously, were Big Boi's "The Way You Move" and André 3000's "Hey Ya!" The video for "Hey Ya!" is based on The Beatles' landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The video's storyline has "The Love Below"—a fictional band with all members, through the use of special effects, played by André—performing in London. "Hey Ya!" was the number one song on the very final weekend of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. It was also number one a week later on the very first weekend of American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest. The singles spent ten weeks at number one on the Hot 100 singles chart, with "Hey Ya!" spending nineteen weeks and "The Way You Move" briefly taking over in February 2004. These singles were seen as a breakthrough for the hip-hop industry, being among the first hip-hop songs to be widely played on adult contemporary radio stations.
OutKast's next official single was not released until the summer of 2004. "Roses", a track featuring both members from The Love Below half of the album, did not meet the level of success as either of its predecessors, but it became a modest-sized hit on urban radio and the American music video networks. The video for "Roses" is loosely based on the musical West Side Story and Grease. It featured sparring 1950s-style gangs, one representing Speakerboxxx, and one representing The Love Below, parodying the widespread arguing among critics and fans as to which half of the album was better and that the two members were estranged. The final singles were André 3000's "Prototype", which was paired with a science fiction-themed video about alien visitors, and Speakerboxxx's "Ghettomusick," which featured both members of OutKast and a sample from a song by Patti LaBelle, who also makes an appearance in the video.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below won the Grammy Award for the 2004 Album of the Year, becoming only the second rap album to ever receive the honor (the first being The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill in 1999). OutKast was one of the headlining acts at the show, and gave two performances: Big Boi performed "The Way You Move" during a medley with George Clinton & P-Funk and Robert Randolph and the Family Band, while André 3000 performed "Hey Ya!" as the show closed. In February 2004, André 3000's performance, which featured female dancers moving wildly around a green teepee in war paint and feathered headdresses, was criticized by the Native American Cultural Center, who called for a boycott of OutKast, Arista Records, NARAS, and of CBS, the broadcaster of the awards show. CBS later apologized.
Between OutKast albums, Big Boi and André 3000 ventured into film projects. André co-starred in John Singleton's action film Four Brothers and also had a part in Be Cool, while Big Boi took a featured role in the T.I. movie ATL. Both members also began working on a joint film, Idlewild, directed by OutKast music video director Bryan Barber. Idlewild, a Prohibition-era musical film set to a blues-influenced hip-hop soundtrack, was released on August 25, 2006 by Universal Pictures. The Idlewild soundtrack was released August 22, 2006. Its lead single, "Mighty 'O'", features both OutKast members, and was briefly played exclusively on local Atlanta radio stations before being issued as a single in May 2006. They released and shot the video for "Morris Brown" instead. A video for "Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry About Me)" soon followed.
Aquemini Records folded in 2004, and Big Boi founded a new record label, Purple Ribbon Entertainment, to be distributed by Virgin Records. Among its first signees were Sleepy Brown, Bubba Sparxxx, and Killer Mike, Big Boi has released a group album/compilation, titled Big Boi Presents... The Purple Ribbon All-Stars - Got Purp? Vol. 2.
One album remains on the band's LaFace contract. It was originally planned as a ten-track release called 10 The Hard Way; shortly after Idlewild was released, the duo confirmed the album is still in the works, though both have begun new projects without releasing any new information on the album. Due to both Big Boi and André's interest in separate projects such as movies, TV (André's Class of 3000) and solo albums, rumors of a split have turned up frequently in the media. André denied those rumors in a phone interview with MTV News, stating that even though they do not feel like performing on stage together, OutKast is "still tight". In an August, 2006, interview with UK journalist Craig McLean, after emphasizing that they would not split, the pair looked beyond music and film careers, Big Boi suggesting he may consider running for the job of Mayor of Atlanta in the future.
In 2007, Andre 3000 confirmed a new OutKast album would be released, but said that he and Big Boi released solo records first, stating the group album is still possibly two years away. Big Boi's solo album will be released first in June/July of 2009, with the first single, "Royal Flush" (also featuring Andre 3000, essentially making it an OutKast song), planned to have been released on December 31, 2007, but was not released on the announced date. Big Boi announced on his MySpace that the release date for Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty is now sometime in the summer of 2009.
On Nov 14, 2008, the Guardian reported that OutKast will release their follow-up to Idlewild in 2009 after Big Boi and Andre 3000 release their solo albums in the same year. As of August 2009, the albums have not yet been released.
Hootie Hoo
OutKast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the funk from the skunk
And the dank that is crunk in the Dungeon
It goes on and on and on, like that
Going out to the Jeeps and hoes in the 'llac
Ah Suki, Suki
All day and day, any day, every damn day
I be thinking about the good ol' days when I was a whippersnapper
I'm just a Southernplayalistic pimp
I used to sling a fat rock, but now I'm serving hemp
I never even smoked a gram of crack, but yo I'm dope
Mo' doper than a junkie or a Pooky cause it's on
So each one, teach one, I be claiming true
To East Point and College Park and the things I used to do
Around ATL, home of the pimps and the money makers
Club niggas, Magic City and them Southern players
I never said I was a gangsta but I will do ya
So Hallelujah, Hallelujah
One for the players at the crib, drinking drinks
And two is for the sound, Hootie Hoo that I make
Hootie Hoo
Tight like hallways, smoked out always(Hootie Hoo)
Yeah, Hootie Hoo
Big Boi on the left, Andre's on my right
Tight like hallways, smoked out always (Hootie Hoo)
Now playing these bitches is my favorite sport
But ain't no game when they be calling your name in the court
Oh, it's Saturday night, I guess that makes it alright
Got an obese twenty sack, fully packed, it's so tight
That it's busting out the seams, yes sir, I'm set
Oh, but let me tuck the 380 before I jet
Hops off in the Lac with Big Gipp, you got a light (Hootie Hoo)
Communication device dun went off twice
Should I answer the call, yes, I'm macking 'em all
We met 'em up in the mall, recall Player's Ball
Well, it's Player's Ball 2, so I guess I'll call you
Later on, and then your whole crew can fall through
Now later on done got here
I takes a peek, now let me see, what do we got here?
Draws, falling down like niggas in a drive-by
I got up in them draws and I told her bye bye
About two weeks later, she called me with some bullshit
Talking 'bout her period late, guess what I did
Click
No, it couldn't be me. Not me
Hootie Hoo
Tight like hallways, smoked out always(Hootie Hoo)
Yeah, Hootie Hoo
Big Boi on the left, Andre's on my right
Tight like hallways, smoked out always (Hootie Hoo)
Uh, well you know we getting blizzard cause we got that chicken gizzard
In the dungeon and scope but some of you niggas can't cope with it
So, Opie, hip hop, to the front, to the back and it don't stop
From the streets of ATL to the slums of College Park
So god almighty no, it's Outkast for the 94 era
You heard the player's call, we taking it to another level
So 'lujah, Halle, let me get a swallow of that Martel
And you may go to hell
Set sail with a nigga from ATL, Southwest that is
It's that Southern ses in your chest that is
One mo' gen for my friend who don't take
No bullshit from no bitch who is stank
I ain't the sugar daddy nigga who will make you
Silly of you to think that I would, but I will lay you
Down like some bo-los, you can throw those
Head, til I'm dead, yes, it's now your broke hoes
Don't get me wrong to disrespect is not my shit
But if you fall in this category, then you'se a bitch
OutKast's "Hootie Hoo" is a tribute to the rap group's roots in the Southern United States, particularly in Atlanta, Georgia. The song opens with a call to follow the funk from the skunk (referring to marijuana) and the dank that is crunk (referring to a type of music unique to Southern rap). The lyrics describe the good old days when the singer was a "whippersnapper" trying to get a kiss, but now only after women's "draws." The singer claims he used to be a drug dealer, but now he's a "Southernplayalistic pimp" serving hemp. The song repeats the phrase "Hootie Hoo," which is a call and response used in African American communities in the South, particularly in Georgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow the funk from the skunk
Let's keep the party going by following the great music
And the dank that is crunk in the Dungeon
There's fantastic, potent weed in the club
It goes on and on and on, like that
The party is never-ending and like no other
Going out to the Jeeps and hoes in the 'llac
This song is dedicated to everyone in their cars, especially the women
Ah Suki, Suki
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the party and music
All day and day, any day, every damn day
This lifestyle is everyday and all-encompassing
I be thinking about the good ol' days when I was a whippersnapper
Reflecting on fond memories of youth
Used to try to get a kiss, but now it be them draws I'm after
Nowadays romantic pursuits have given way to sexual ones
I'm just a Southernplayalistic pimp
Identifying as a quintessential pimp from the South
I used to sling a fat rock, but now I'm serving hemp
Previously dealing drugs, now selling marijuana instead
I never even smoked a gram of crack, but yo I'm dope
Not having firsthand experience with something, but still being impressive at it
Mo' doper than a junkie or a Pooky 'cause it's on
Being even better than someone who's addicted to drugs
So each one, teach one, I be claiming true
Remaining loyal to and representing his area
To East Point and College Park and the things I used to do
Shouting out two towns and past activities there
Around ATL, home of the pimps and the money makers
Proudly acknowledging Atlanta's hustlers
Club niggas, Magic City and them Southern players
Name dropping famous Atlanta strip clubs
I never said I was a gangsta but I will do ya
Not claiming to be a gangster, but not hesitating to defeat someone in a conflict
So Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Expressing excitement and satisfaction
One for the players at the crib, drinking drinks
Giving a shoutout to his friends who are chilling at home with drinks
And two is for the sound, Hootie Hoo that I make
Acknowledging his success and popularity in music
Now playing these bitches is my favorite sport
Admitting to treating women as conquests
But ain't no game when they be calling your name in the court
Not enjoying the consequences when women result in drama
Oh, it's Saturday night, I guess that makes it alright
Justifying partying and indulging in vices because it's the weekend
Got an obese twenty sack, fully packed, it's so tight
Having a generous amount of marijuana
That it's busting out the seams, yes sir, I'm set
Being content with what one has
Oh, but let me tuck the 380 before I jet
Making sure he's prepared with a gun before leaving
Hops off in the Lac with Big Gipp, you got a light (Hootie Hoo)
Asking his friend if he has a lighter while getting off the car
Communication device dun went off twice
Getting a couple of calls on his phone
Should I answer the call, yes, I'm macking 'em all
Deciding to take the calls and try to charm women
We met 'em up in the mall, recall Player's Ball
Reminiscing about a previous time at a party
Well, it's Player's Ball 2, so I guess I'll call you
Looking forward to another party
Now later on done got here
Time has passed, and the party is still happening
I takes a peek, now let me see, what do we got here?
Checking out the available women
Draws, falling down like niggas in a drive-by
Clothing coming off like a violent event
I got up in them draws and I told her bye bye
Having a short-lived sexual encounter
About two weeks later, she called me with some bullshit
Dealing with the unpleasant consequences of sleeping with someone
Talking 'bout her period late, guess what I did
Being dismissive and not caring
Click
Ending the conversation abruptly
Uh, well you know we getting blizzard cause we got that chicken gizzard
Getting high on weed
In the dungeon and scope but some of you niggas can't cope with it
Proudly representing his music collective, but knowing some people don't like it
So, Opie, hip hop, to the front, to the back and it don't stop
Encouraging everyone to dance and enjoy the music
From the streets of ATL to the slums of College Park
Being proud of his hometown and its diversity
So god almighty no, it's Outkast for the '94 era
Asserting his identity and success in that time period
You heard the player's call, we taking it to another level
Bringing a new energy to the party scene
So 'lujah, Halle, let me get a swallow of that Martel
Celebrating with expensive alcohol
And you may go to hell
Dismissing negative opinions of his lifestyle
Set sail with a nigga from ATL, Southwest that is
Welcoming people to join him and his music journey
It's that Southern ses in your chest that is
The music brings a familiar feeling and passion
One mo' gen for my friend who don't take
Acknowledging a friend who doesn't tolerate nonsense
No bullshit from no bitch who is stank
Not dealing with rude, unpleasant women
I ain't the sugar daddy nigga who will make you
Not assuming the role of a man who financially provides for a woman
Silly of you to think that I would, but I will lay you
Being ready to engage in sex without added responsibility
Down like some bo-los, you can throw those
Engaging in sex positions that can be tossed aside
Head, til I'm dead, yes, it's now your broke hoes
Receiving oral sex until he's satisfied
Don't get me wrong to disrespect is not my shit
Not intending to be disrespectful
But if you fall in this category, then you'se a bitch
Warning women not to behave a certain way or else they will be disrespected
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDRE BENJAMIN, ANTWAN PATTON, PATRICK BROWN, RAYMON MURRAY, RICO WADE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@parr40
Hootie hoo, follow the funk from the skunk
And the dank that is crunk in the Dungeon
It goes on and on and on, like that
Goin' out to the Jeeps and hoes in the 'llac
Ah, suki, suki, all day and day, any day, every damn day
I be thinkin' about the good ol' days when I was a whippersnapper
Used to try to get a kiss but now it be them draws I'm after
I'm just a Southernplayalistic pimp
I used to slang a fat rock but now I'm servin' hemp
I never even smoked a gram of crack but yo I'm dope
Mo' doper than a junkie or a Pooky 'cause it's on
So each one, teach one, I be claimin' true
To East Pointe and College Park and the things I used to do
Around ATL, home of the pimps and the money makers
ClubNikki’s , Magic City and them Southern playas
I never said I was a gangsta but I will do ya
So Hallelujah, Hallelujah
One for the playas at the crib, drinking drinks
And two is for the sound, Hootie hoo that I make
One of the best track ever, top 5 on my list, son. Tight like hallways smoked out always
@denshaypolite6307
I remember watching the Source Award. Outkast won best new artist and they were booed. Andre got on the Mike and said "THE SOUTH HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY". Then walked off the stage. From that day on Outkast had my full attention & RESPECT 💯
@Bone3200
Fast fwd today....and NY copy LA and Chicago & ATL. OHH HoW TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
@MrSmokingpineapple
YOURE NOT A LIAR
@coreywho2972
Why the fuck did they get booed ? Damn bro thats crazy Outkast is probably the biggest hip hop artists in my country. Literally. They're bigger than Pac, Big, Snoop or Wu ever were. We all love them.
@MRMAN-wb1tv
THE WHOLE SOUTH ( AFRICAN AMERICANS ) STOOD UP WHEN THEY SAID THAT AND GOT BOOED...NOW WE RUN THE WORLD...CULTURALLY!!!
@roberthardeman2023
@@coreywho2972 at that time people wasn't feeling down south music it was all about the west coast and the east coast and outkast was just coming out around that time 94/95
@TwistedEdgeProd
that bassline is so simple but sooo hypnotizing haha
@abcbcd1834
The way Big Boi rides that intro beat is superhuman. Anyone who says Dre is ahead by a lot is deaf. They're neck and neck for most of the discography. Dre owns some songs while Big dominates others. They're the best because they work so well together in general. Most songs serve an 11/10 Big verse followed by an 11/10 Dre verse and vice versa
Don't sleep on Big Boi!!
@kabeyz
Abc Bcd l couldn't have said it better my brother.
@lemmegitamuhfuccinuhhhh
Couldn't have said it better!