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 AndrΓ© "Andre 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as DrΓ©) 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 AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ©'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 AndrΓ© (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 AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ©'s breakup with singer Erykah Badu; the titular "Ms. Jackson" character being a doppelgΓ€nger for Badu's mother. It was at this time that AndrΓ© changed his stage name to the current "AndrΓ© 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; AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ© 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"βa fictional band with all members, through the use of special effects, played by AndrΓ©βperforming 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 AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ© 3000 performed "Hey Ya!" as the show closed. In February 2004, AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ© 3000 ventured into film projects. AndrΓ© 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 AndrΓ©'s interest in separate projects such as movies, TV (AndrΓ©'s Class of 3000) and solo albums, rumors of a split have turned up frequently in the media. AndrΓ© 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.
Skew It on the Bar-B
OutKast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
The common denominator, the nigga numerator
Never know who the hater, niggas cater to your ego
I'm sorry like Atari who's the cousin to Coleco, Vision
Caught a RICO, back on the street like Chico, DeBarge
He large and got a 'Llac in the garage
Few parts here and there, I declare hard, my Lord
One at Clark, one at Spelman
Both know each other and it's cool, you can tell when
He step off in the party women jump for joy
But all the wild niggas schemin', they gon' jump the boy
For spittin' all that bourgeoise, my watch, my car
I'm a star, I'd rather be a comet by far
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Deliver this through your audio, ghetto mafioso
Grow hydro, then bag it up slow
Price that, longevity suggest make moves slow
Take time, grow eight, react nine, blow
Hydro slide raw like fuck Ronaldo
Fly ride though, shit lookin wild dope
Then glide yo, flippin' the page, I go
Watch five-oh, jump on my meat, ride slow
Watch those, undercovers, cop those, rock those
Glocks blows leave 'em baggy and collect spot grows
Keep a watch froze, lean on the yacht, wash clothes
Let the chop' blow, bag a half a block plot grows, what?
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Boi, I bust raps like D-boys bust gats, shit
We the type of people that don't bury the axe
Or the hatchet, every time we see your link we snatch it
Ridin' round our hood talkin' that dumb shit, your cabbage
Is cracked, like plumber's ass, and summer's grass
I been in the game for a minute, seen some suckas like y'all passin
Thinkin' you're light skinned, aight then, lil' boy why you frightened?
The Dungeon Family gon' be here nigga so keep writing
I gotta hit The Source, I need my other half a mic
Because that Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik was a classic, right
College Park, East Point and Decatur they got my back, so
We gon' keep on jammin and stabbin off in the track, ahh
Think it's time to bungee but buddy we will be back
And I'm finna put some D's on the 'Llac, know dat!
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
Old school players to new school fools
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
The lyrics to Outkast's "Skew It on the Bar-B" begin by describing the group's ability to bridge the gap between old school and new school hip hop, keeping the music "jumpin' like kangaroos." They declare their refusal to lose or play by anyone else's rules.
The next section of the song references the struggles and dangers of the music industry, describing how it can be hard to tell who is a hater and who genuinely supports an artist. They discuss specific examples, including Atari and Coleco Vision, while making references to real-life legal issues and figures like RICO and Chico DeBarge. Despite the challenges faced in the music industry, the singer of the song is determined to continue to succeed and be a star.
The final section of the song features a call-out to anyone who dares to challenge Outkast's skill and talent, promising to dismantle them until they're left with nothing. The vivid lyrics describe snatching chains, leaving others' pride cracked like a plumber's backside, and growing in strength with every hit they produce.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement of Outkast's ability to operate on their own terms, successfully navigate the music industry, and outlast the competition. It can be interpreted as a warning to anyone who doubts their skills or tries to stand in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, woo)
Excitement and energy are in the air.
Old school players to new school fools
Both old and new generations are present and active.
'Kast keep it jumpin' like kangaroos
Outkast keeps the energy and excitement high.
We'll skew it on the bar-b, we ain't tryin' to lose
We will party and enjoy ourselves without worrying about competition or defeat.
Say, "I'll be goddamned if they done changed the rules"
We won't let any changes in circumstance defeat our fun party mood.
The common denominator, the nigga numerator
In society, the majority and minority polarize without seeing how they're interconnected.
Never know who the hater, niggas cater to your ego
It's hard to find who truly doesn't like you since many people flatter the ego of others.
I'm sorry like Atari who's the cousin to Coleco, Vision
I'm regretful like lesser brands who are still related to the better ones.
Caught a RICO, back on the street like Chico, DeBarge
I was caught up in a major charge but am back on the streets like someone who escaped jail.
He large and got a 'Llac in the garage
He is wealthy and has a Cadillac parked in his garage.
Few parts here and there, I declare hard, my Lord
Although his car is broken in a few parts, he still enjoys it and sees it as tough.
One at Clark, one at Spelman
He has connections at different universities in Atlanta, Georgia.
Both know each other and it's cool, you can tell when
At these institutions, people know each other and are friendly.
He step off in the party women jump for joy
When he arrives at a party, women are excited and happy to see him.
But all the wild niggas schemin', they gon' jump the boy
However, some men who are planning to cause trouble are ready to attack him.
For spittin' all that bourgeoise, my watch, my car
He may get in trouble for flaunting his wealth and material possessions.
I'm a star, I'd rather be a comet by far
He is successful but would rather have a longer-lasting legacy than a more momentary one.
Deliver this through your audio, ghetto mafioso
His music delivers the message of the streets in a mafia-like way.
Grow hydro, then bag it up slow
He grows drugs and packages them carefully.
Price that, longevity suggest make moves slow
He advises to be patient and take calculated moves for long-lasting success.
Take time, grow eight, react nine, blow
He advises to take time to develop and emerge stronger than ever.
Hydro slide raw like fuck Ronaldo
His drugs are exceptionally high-quality and potent, like Ronaldo's soccer skills.
Fly ride though, shit lookin wild dope
His car is fashionable and impressive.
Then glide yo, flippin' the page, I go
He moves on to the next chapter of his life with ease.
Watch five-oh, jump on my meat, ride slow
He is cautious about police who are ready to arrest him, so he moves carefully.
Watch those, undercovers, cop those, rock those
He is wary of undercover police officers and advises to sell drugs safely.
Glocks blows leave 'em baggy and collect spot grows
Shooting rivals will aid the growth of his drugs' market.
Keep a watch froze, lean on the yacht, wash clothes
He maintains his jewelry, enjoys his boat, and cleans his garments.
Let the chop' blow, bag a half a block plot grows, what?
With the sale of drugs, his business will grow more rapidly.
Boi, I bust raps like D-boys bust gats, shit
He raps with aggression and strength just like drug dealers shoot their guns.
We the type of people that don't bury the axe
He looks to fix issues with adversaries instead of getting revenge.
Or the hatchet, every time we see your link we snatch it
He sees a weakness in others and takes advantage of it.
Ridin' round our hood talkin' that dumb shit, your cabbage
People who drive through his neighborhood speaking foolishly will be robbed.
Is cracked, like plumber's ass, and summer's grass
Their material possessions are flawed and worthless.
I been in the game for a minute, seen some suckas like y'all passin
He has been in the rap industry for a while and has seen people who act like phonies come and go.
Thinkin' you're light skinned, aight then, lil' boy why you frightened?
He mocks someone who thinks that their light skin makes them superior, suggesting they might be afraid.
The Dungeon Family gon' be here nigga so keep writing
The Dungeon Family of rappers will still be present and successful, so keep creating music.
I gotta hit The Source, I need my other half a mic
He wants to be featured in The Source magazine and needs another microphone to record music.
Because that Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik was a classic, right
'Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik' was a fantastic album.
College Park, East Point and Decatur they got my back, so
He has support from different parts of Atlanta.
We gon' keep on jammin and stabbin off in the track, ahh
He will continue to make music and perform with aggression and strength.
Think it's time to bungee but buddy we will be back
He may take a break but will return soon enough.
And I'm finna put some D's on the 'Llac, know dat!
He will add flashy wheels to his fancy Cadillac.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Corey Woods, Morton Stevens, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Maal7432
Raekwon spazzed tf out.
"Deliver this through your audio, ghetto mafioso
Grow hydro, then bag it up yo
Price that longevity, suggest make moves
slow take time grow eight, react nine blow
Hydro slide raw like fuck Renaldo
Fly ride though, shit lookin wild dope
then glide yo, flippin the page, I go
Watch five-oh, jump on my meat, ride slow
Watch those, undercovers, cop those, rock those
Glocks blows leave em baggy and collect spot grows
Keep a watch froze, lean on the yacht and wash clothes
Let the chop' blow, bag a half a block plot grows, what?"
@austinedwards3559
Outkast and Wu Tang Clan forever!
@dudedank5219
Mobb Deep
@SaeedThaPraLem
@A.M. Hit This Henny
@Lolife86
@Dude Dank Al those dude form NY on this era were killa...I mean there still some obscure vinyl from 1994/1995/1996 that are sick , from dude we never heard off..I like King just too...Real good rapper.
@NevaSellmySoul
Austin Edwards Duck Down n Wu-Tang Forever
@jordanbenson7497
@Dude Dank Ugk too
@HookedOnSonics518
I just love how wisely OutKast chooses to collaborate with. You can't go wrong by asking Raekwon to spit on your track. Great method of blending South with North.
@sanderskenny
killed it with that choice for sure. hes so slick and smooth... Β out of all wu.. ..they made a great choice to collab w Rae tho. agreed!
@forcedtohaveahandle
Kris Bland *South with East
@cheahweiren7638
You mean south and east