Trent Patton ’26
Viewpoints Editor
On Nov. 8, the rap duo OutKast was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. OutKast consists of André 3000 and Big Boi, originally forming OutKast in Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. The duo were teenagers when they first met, both doing rap battles in the cafeteria of Tri-Cities High School. The name OutKast originates from both André 3000 and Big Boi who both dressed differently than their peers in high school. The pair quickly rose to fame with their debut album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” that was issued on Apr. 26, 1994. This album would end up becoming one of the most foundational albums of southern hip-hop.
As hip-hop blossomed throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the artists were either from the East Coast, mostly New York City, or the West Coast, mostly Los Angeles. The West Coast showcased fantastic artists like N.W.A, Cypress Hill and 2Pac. The East Coast showcased artists like Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and Biggie (The Notorious B.I.G). However, there was a new opponent: the Dirty South. The 1995 Source Award would become infamous in hip-hop history after awarding OutKast “Best New Artist” during a time when tensions were high between the East Coast and West Coast hip-hop communities.
The crowd booed as André 3000 and Big Boi walked up to the stage to accept their award. The audience consisted mostly of East Coast fans who were not impressed by OutKast. André 3000 responded to the hate in their acceptance speech, saying, “but it’s like this though, I’m tired of them closed-minded folks, it’s like we gotta demo tape but don’t nobody want to hear it. But it’s like this: the South got something to say, that’s all I got to say.” This moment put southern hip-hop on the map, aiding in the growth of southern hip-hop artists.
The duo would go on to make multiple hit albums like “ATLiens” in 1996, “Aquemini” in 1998 and “Stankonia” in 2000. Stankonia would reach number two on Billboard 200 in the U.S. The album led to OutKast winning two Grammy Awards in 2001: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Ms. Jackson.” OutKast won Album of the Year in 2004 for their album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” The album is divided into two parts: Big Boi’s “Speakerboxxx” and André 3000’s “The Love Below.” This album is OutKast’s biggest commercial success to date, remaining at number one on the Billboard 200 for many weeks. By Dec. 2004, the album sold 10 million units and was diamond certified.
OutKast’s last album was “Idlewild” and came out in 2006. The album was the soundtrack to a film the duo created by the same name. “Idlewild” is a musical drama that takes place in the Great Depression in Georgia in 1935. The film follows André 3000 as Percival and Big Boi as Rooster and the messy situations they get themselves into with gangsters that want to take over their juke joint. The film also has romantic story elements, adding to the drama.
Since “Idlewild,” OutKast has been on a long-term hiatus, with both members focusing on solo projects. Big Boi has continued rapping, and André 3000 has broadened his musical horizons, releasing a jazz album titled “New Blue Sun” in 2023 (this is one of my favorite albums of all time). Although OutKast is no longer a group, in my opinion, their music left a huge impact on hip-hop, showing everyone that the South has a lot to say.