Overground Sewer

Throwback Thursdays: Outkast

  • Tags
    • None

Before I start this post dedicated to Outkast, I will acknowledge that it’s not quite thursday, bare with me!

Most people that I ask whether they like Outkast or not will respond to me on a positive note referring to Speakerboxxx/The Love Below as a great album their shit and Hey Ya! being their favorite song. Not saying that Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is not an ingenious well-crafted album by two artists on top of their game, but it sometimes makes me think that I should stop talking to these people or introduce them to the earlier Outkast material. The latter seemed more fitting and less rude so here is a few gems that will either send you down on memory lane or introduce you to another side of Outkast.

ATLiens: My personal introduction to Outkast was through this song. The dark beat (produced by Organized Noise) mixed an infectious hook laid ground to the powerful lyricism of Big Boi & Andre 3000. The thematic of ATLiens combines the alien phenomenon with ancient egyptian surroundings. The word Atliens also use to describe the hometown of the group, Atlanta. Let’s just say it stood out in the mid-90’s around the bragging rights videos.

Elevator: Continuing in the same vibes as ATLiens, as well as the same thematics for the video, Elevator was a bit more laid-back. Same formula, infectious hook that really puts the southern origins of Outkast to the front.


Jazzy Belle: From their third album Aquemini, this song shows a slightly difference side to Outkast as the song has a stronger soul presence with the back vocals. Some scratches add to the chorus while the lyrics are more story-oriented.
Street Talkin’ (with Slick Rick): This is actually off Slick Rick’s The Art of Storytelling album, makes a great combination. Legends to be (at the time) with a legend can only mean a memorable track. The simple melody hooks you from the start while Slick Rick’s mellow voice sparkles the track.

Da Art of Storytellin’ (with Slick Rick): first collaboration between these rap giants and a good one. Slick Rick being the king of story-telling rap, Outkast do a good job of keeping up with him.
Skew it on the Bar B (with Raekwon): Outkast get the blessing of Wu-Tang’s Raekwon on this straight up party track. The video lets you see the early stages of Andre 3000’s excentric switch into a fashion freak of some sort. Beat is on point.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Or, enter your OpenID URL: (make sure your browser has cookies turned on)

Your comments may need to be approved by the moderator before they appear.