Outkast

Biography

Outkast was an American hip-hop duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992, consisting of André "André 3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. Widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time, the duo helped popularize Southern hip-hop while experimenting with a diverse range of genres like funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno. They met as students at Tri-Cities High School, a performing arts school in Atlanta. Discovering a shared admiration for hip-hop and funk musicians, they formed a rap group, initially calling themselves 2 Shades Deep.

Early Career and Breakthrough

In 1992, the duo signed with LaFace Records, becoming the label's first hip-hop act. Their first single, "Player's Ball," released in 1993, became a hit and topped the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. This led to their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, released in 1994. The album was a critical and commercial success, establishing the duo's unique sound and helping to put the Southern hip-hop scene on the map. Their subsequent albums, ATLiens (1996) and Aquemini (1998), saw them further developing their sound, incorporating futuristic and experimental production. Both albums were met with critical acclaim and achieved double-platinum status.

Musical Style

Outkast's early music was a blend of Dirty South and G-Funk. Their debut album incorporated analog elements like Southern-style guitar licks, soul melodies, and 1970s funk grooves. With later albums like ATLiens and Aquemini, they moved towards a more outer space-influenced sound with echo and reverb effects. Their style continued to evolve, drawing on genres such as psychedelia, gospel, techno, soul, electro, and rock music.

Mainstream Success and Iconic Albums

The duo achieved massive crossover success with their fourth album, Stankonia (2000). The album featured the hit singles "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)" and "Ms. Jackson," the latter of which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2003, they released the double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which showcased their individual artistic visions on separate discs. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified diamond. It produced two number-one singles, Big Boi's "The Way You Move" and André 3000's "Hey Ya!," and won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Later Years and Hiatus

Outkast's final album was the soundtrack for their 2006 musical film, Idlewild. The duo went on hiatus in 2007, with both members pursuing solo careers. Big Boi has released several solo albums, while André 3000 has focused on guest appearances and acting. In 2014, Outkast reunited for a tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, performing at over 40 festivals worldwide, but no new music was released. The duo has sold over 25 million records and won six Grammy Awards.