How OutKast Mastered Da Art of Storytellin'
Atlanta-born rap duo OutKast, with their funky beats and unpredictable energy, were the soundtrack to my summer. As I sauntered through the streets of Ottawa on the hot fragrant pavement with a pile of resumes in my hand, André 3000 and Big Boi’s rhymes blasted through my headphones. Their unique style and narrative-heavy albums made my job hunt not only bearable, but fun. I was in love. With hits such as Hey Ya! and Ms. Jackson being anthems of the early 2000s, I was always familiar with the group, but had only heard their chart-topping songs at school dances, street parties, and the radio. I was now becoming much more familiar with OutKast’s one-of-a kind sound and masterful lyricism, which has allowed me to understand why it is argued that their discography yields no misses; their albums grow deeper in nuance with each listen. The group made an incredible impact on hip-hop and broadened the landscape of the genre with their stylistic approach to lyricism, and their immersive interludes.
Their sound was impossible to define, as they smelted together genres such as funk, rave, gospel, and ragtime. With a bottomless well of inspiration, the group drew upon an infinitely wide range of sources to create an addicting, idiosyncratic sound. Although this approach to hip-hop was novel and experimental for the time, they were launched to the top of the charts instantly, an attestation to André and Big Boi’s sheer skill and talent. André has also stated that he was influenced by groups that adhere to the indie and alternative genres such as The Smiths and The Ramones, which is intriguing, as they are so sonically opposite. Another interesting aspect of their music that adds to the parable-esque nature of their albums, is the use of skits and conversations as interludes, intros, or outros. This enhances the story by adding the perspectives of different characters. Their stylistic techniques know no bounds and is a part of what makes their music stand out.
OutKast’s music has had a revolutionary influence on the rap game, including putting their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia on the map. The story of how they rose to be one of the most acclaimed groups in music history is quite charming and organic. André 3000 and Big Boi decided to form a group after rap-battling each other in high school. They started taking music seriously when they were young, and at the age of 17, they were signed to the label LaFace Records. (A testament to the group’s commitment, they had planned on selling dope to pay for studio time if they never got signed.) Every album they released was met with almost immediate commercial success. Before OutKast, most rappers were from either New York or California, as the world of rap was centered around Tupac and Biggie Smalls. pitting the East and West coasts against each other. Southern rappers were so far from the spotlight that it was actually considered a diss to tell someone that they sounded like an Atlanta rapper. Today, post-OutKast, some of the most influential and popular artists are from the South. Despite their undisputed talent, and growing popularity, at the 1995 Source Awards, they received the accolade of ‘Best New Rap Group’ amidst a sea of boos. In response Andre defended his hometown in his acceptance speech, stating ‘the south got something to say’. This was a pivotal moment for the reputation of Atlanta, as it became legitimized as a place with culture that fosters great talent and creativity. At the very least, pride in the city created a hip hop infrastructure that now has young artists moving there to pursue a career in the industry, and at the most, has created a culture that has artists namely Ludacris, Gucci Mane and 21 Savage, embellishing their ties to Atlanta. André and Big Boi paved the way for Atlanta-born artists such as Young Thug, Lil Jon, CeeLo Green, and many more. The group has also been acknowledged to have influenced some of the biggest names in the industry such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, Drake, and Kid Cudi.
OutKast demonstrated their mastery of storytelling with the hit song; Hey Ya!. It is one of the duo’s most popular songs, but it has a much deeper meaning that is masked by the song’s cheer-y, upbeat sound and enthusiastic delivery. The lyrics are a complete contradiction to the vibe of the song, as they detail a relationship in which the couple has fallen out of love with each other, but rather than doing what would be best for them, stay together out of fear of being alone. André 3000 wrote this in response to the rising divorce rates, questioning the state of the modern dating scene and if two people are truly capable of staying in love. With the next chorus lain over top of it, he famously says “Y’all don’t want to hear me, you just want to dance”, and this lyric is applicable to a lot of their music as many of their songs discuss serious social and political topics that are contrasted by fresh beats. They make timeless themes of love, sex, freedom, control, acceptance, and addiction easily digestible, while still causing the audience to think critically about the subject matter. Many of the interludes of their albums are purely political but maintain a rhythmic and poetic quality. The messages in OutKast’s music are transcendent and increase in relevance with the passage of time.
The lyrical and musical genius of André 3000 and Big Boi is undeniable, and their impact on the world of hip-hop and music altogether runs deep. Since the release of their last album in 2006, the duo haven’t been creating any music together, however André 3000 has been featured on many songs alongside big names within the industry. On these features, he has been delivering what is widely considered some of the greatest bars in the game. Examples of these are his features on International Player’s Anthem by UGK and Pink Matter by Frank Ocean. Big Boi has since released four solo albums, and is also a dog breeder. He has a lifelong passion for pitbull terriers and he and his brother run Pitfall Kennels, where they have been breeding and rescuing animals for over 20 years. Evidently, the musical genius of André 3000 and Big Boi revolutionized the landscape of hip hop, and will continue to influence artists for decades to come. I will forever cherish my summer where my ears were full of OutKast’s masterful storytelling.
Header by: Valerie Letts
