OutKast : NPR

'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

Big Boi (L) and Andre 3000 of Outkast perform onstage during day 3 of the Firefly Music Festival on June 21, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival hide caption

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'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

September 1, 2023 • Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald is looking back at the albums that changed the game. Today, it's OutKast's album Aquemini.

'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

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How Atlanta became the center of the rap universe

Migos, Baby Tate, Outkast & Jeezy. Collage by Jackie Lay / NPR. Alberto E. Rodriguez / Josh Brasted / Scott Gries / Paras Griffin/Getty Images hide caption

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Hip-Hop 50: All Rap Is Local

How Atlanta became the center of the rap universe

July 19, 2023 • The current rap capital thrives on a thrilling contradiction: Its best music is at once hyperlocal and globally accessible, true to its roots but built for scale.

The Culture Corner: How Outkast Put Atlanta On The Map As Hip-Hop's New Epicenter

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Culture Corner: How Outkast Put Atlanta On The Map As Hip-Hop's New Epicenter

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August 17, 2021 • In this new episode of The Culture Corner, correspondent John Morrison pays a close listen to Outkast's breakthrough record ATLiens.

The Culture Corner On World Cafe: Outkast

18:36

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Young, Sexy And Black: 32 Songs For Unapologetic Confidence

Whether you're a tote bag or Telfie babe, the spirit of roséwave lives in us all. Kara Frame/NPR hide caption

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Roséwave: Your Summer Soundtrack

Young, Sexy And Black: 32 Songs For Unapologetic Confidence

June 23, 2021 • Remember those barely planned, niche antics in the group chat? Grab your girls, choose life and get gone: Let Solange, Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson soundtrack a summer of feeling yourself.

OutKast's 'Stankonia' Threw Us To The Wilderness

OutKast's Stankonia was released Oct. 31, 2000, and we're still feeling the stank two decades later. Michael Lavine/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Features

OutKast's 'Stankonia' Threw Us To The Wilderness

November 18, 2020 • Experience the mayhem of what it means to create something new. Three Southern rap experts revisit the 20-year-old classic.

New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 30

The rapper, actor and activist Common. His latest project, A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1, is on our shortlist of the best new albums out on Oct. 30. Durimel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 30

October 30, 2020 • NPR Music's picks for the best new albums out on Oct. 30 include a surprise release from Common, the return of rapper Busta Rhymes, singer Sam Smith, the country artist Cam, Ane Brun and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 30

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NPR Music's Listening Party For OutKast's 'Stankonia'

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Michael Lavine/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

NPR Music's Listening Party For OutKast's 'Stankonia'

October 28, 2020 • Friday at 2 p.m. ET, NPR Music will host an online listening party for the 20th anniversary of OutKast's landmark album. Join the chat room, ask our expert panel questions and shout your love.

The South Got Something To Say: A Celebration Of Southern Rap (1995-1999)

Joelle Avelino for NPR

Music Features

The South Got Something To Say: A Celebration Of Southern Rap (1995-1999)

August 3, 2020 • Our list of the best songs, albums and mixtapes by Southern rappers is a celebration that recenters the South as a creative center of hip-hop and honors the region for all that it has given to us.

Joelle Avelino for NPR

Music Features

The South Got Something To Say: A Celebration Of Southern Rap

August 3, 2020 • Our list of the best songs, albums and mixtapes by Southern rappers is a celebration that recenters the South as a creative center of hip-hop and honors the region for all that it has given to us.

Joelle Avelino for NPR

Music Features

The South Got Something To Say: A Celebration Of Southern Rap (2005-2009)

August 3, 2020 • Our list of the best songs, albums and mixtapes by Southern rappers is a celebration that recenters the South as a creative center of hip-hop and presents the region for all that it has given to us.

Poolside Yuletide: 51 Songs To Paint Your Holidays Pink

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All Songs Considered

Poolside Yuletide: 51 Songs To Paint Your Holidays Pink

December 18, 2018 • Soundtrack your holiday spirit with a glass of rosé and our playlist featuring Bruce Springsteen's good cheer, Bright Eyes' Christmas blues, Big Freedia's twerkin' reindeer and more.

Endless Summer: 28 Songs To Keep The Heat In Your Heart

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All Songs Considered

Endless Summer: 28 Songs To Keep The Heat In Your Heart

August 29, 2018 • Summer is forever if you want it. Sam Sanders' playlist is pure nostalgia, with hazy flashbacks triggered by Frank Ocean, Lorde and Nick Hakim.

André 3000 Returns With New Music In Memory Of His Parents

After years of solo silence, André 3000 returns with two new soul-baring songs. Paul R. Giunta/FilmMagic hide caption

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Review

All Songs Considered

André 3000 Returns With New Music In Memory Of His Parents

May 13, 2018 • The reclusive half of OutKast dropped two new soul-baring solo songs — and jumped into social media — to celebrate and mourn his mom and dad.

Put Some 'South' In Your Mouth With Big Boi, Gucci Mane And Pimp C

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All Songs Considered

Put Some 'South' In Your Mouth With Big Boi, Gucci Mane And Pimp C

June 9, 2017 • Three dialects from three of the region's legends — living and resurrected — make for one triple-decker groove.

Weekend LISTening: 10 Great Duos Who Couldn't Keep It Together

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World Cafe

Weekend LISTening: 10 Great Duos Who Couldn't Keep It Together

XPN

August 27, 2016 • Not every partnership is built to last. From The White Stripes to Sonny & Cher, here are 10 talented, if temporary, musical duos.

Songs We Love: OutKast, 'Player's Ball (Christmas Version)'

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Songs We Love

Songs We Love: OutKast, 'Player's Ball (Christmas Version)'

December 24, 2015 • #TBT back to 1993, and the Christmas (album) miracle behind the original version of the legendary ATL duo's first single.

'Player's Ball'

4:24

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Outkast And Atlanta: Until They Close The Curtain

Two dope boys on a Cadillac: Andre 3000 and Big Boi in the early days. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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The Record

Outkast And Atlanta: Until They Close The Curtain

October 3, 2014 • The hometown shows the duo played had a bittersweet quality because people thought it might be their last chance to see one of the most-respected and best-loved groups of all time together.

Outkast And Atlanta: Until They Close The Curtain

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Reunited And It Feels A Little Awkward: OutKast At Coachella

Big Boi (left) and Andre 3000 perform on stage at Coachella during the first stop on OutKast's reunion tour. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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The Record

Reunited And It Feels A Little Awkward: OutKast At Coachella

April 14, 2014 • The rap duo OutKast launched what may be its farewell tour over the weekend at Coachella, but the group and its fans, who have waited a decade for the reunion, might not have the same expectations.

Reunited And It Feels A Little Awkward: OutKast At Coachella

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These Go To 11: Songs Best Heard Extra-Loud

The fictional band from This Is Spinal Tap plays a real-life concert in 1984. Nigel Tufnel, the guitarist played by Christopher Guest, favored amplifiers whose volume could be cranked up to 11. Ebet Roberts/Redferns hide caption

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All Songs Considered

These Go To 11: Songs Best Heard Extra-Loud

November 9, 2011 • In honor of Nigel Tufnel, the Spinal Tap guitarist who cranked his amps past 10, this week's show is all about the songs that sound best when played at top volume.

These Go To 11: Songs Best Heard Extra-Loud

1:01:54

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Big Boi's Big Debut: 'Sir Lucious Leftfoot'

Big Boi's debut solo album stayed on the shelves of Jive Records for nearly three years. It was recently released by Def Jam. hide caption

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Review

Music Reviews

Big Boi's Big Debut: 'Sir Lucious Leftfoot'

July 6, 2010 • After nearly three years on the shelf and a highly publicized battle with Jive Records, the Atlanta rapper has finally released his debut solo album. Sir Lucious Leftfoot reveals Big Boi as Outkast's anchor and showcases his talent for dazzling, technical rhyme schemes alongside guests including Gucci Mane and Yelawolf.

All Songs Considered

The 50 Most Important Recordings Of The Decade: O-S

November 16, 2009 • All Songs Considered's list of the 50 most important recordings of the decade continues, from OutKast to Sigur Ros.

The Decade In Music: OutKast's 'So Fresh, So Clean' (2001)

OutKast's Stankonia was one of those game-changing records that made everyone perk up and pay attention. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

The Decade In Music: '00s

The Decade In Music: OutKast's 'So Fresh, So Clean' (2001)

November 10, 2009 • As the music industry began to break apart and go niche, it's remarkable that a group as artistically ambitious as OutKast could break through the way it did.