There is no better example of innovation than Outkast. Just saying their name out loud brings forth visions of southern-fried Hip-hop with a thirst for bending the English language to their will, creating a ripple effect of psychedelic proportions. The duo of André 3000 and Big Boi needs no introduction, Outkast have long established themselves as generational artists who not only pushed the boundaries of the genre, they never even regarded them. The pair were about the mid-90s southern explosion where a third coast established itself in Hip-hop and quickly found its own sound. Outkast would become the pioneers of what this new sound could become, forcing Southern Hip-hop in a more artistic and daring direction compared to what the genre has produced in the past.
Outkast’s discography is precise and direct while also allowing the duo to realize their wildest musical fantasies. While every album leading up to it was conceptually ambitious, none come close to the risks taken on the duo’s fifth LP. The legacy of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below speaks for itself. Originally released twenty years ago on September 23, 2003, the double-disc release is an over two-hour exploration into the nuances that made Outkast such a dominant force in the 90’s scene. Each disc represents a solo album from the two members, Big Boi’s Speakerboxxx going first before André 3000’s The Love Below. The uniqueness of Outkast’s fifth album continues to be celebrated to this day, landing on just about every blog’s “Best Albums Ever” list and pulling in millions upon millions of sales. Outkast’s only double album not only further proved their commercial prowess, but put to rest any questioning of their legacy.
Big Boi’s side of things has his rapid-fire rhymes dancing over funky arrangements. Speakerboxxx established Big Boi as more than an impressive emcee, it took his songwriting to another level with the artist penning some of the most honed songs of his career. Outside of the smash hit “The Way You Move”, which features a silky hook to juxtapose Big Boi’s machine-gun-style flows, moments like “Unhappy” feature vulnerable poetry with an unforgettable hook. Things heat up on tracks like the Killer Mike-assisted “Bust” and “Tomb of the Boom”, two examples of Big Boi’s effortless rapping. Big Boi built an album of conflicting tones that find solace in the artist’s versatility, further cementing his place in the history of Hip-hop.
André 3000’s The Love Below takes more of a jazzy melodic approach and separates three-stacks from not only his rap peers but any musician in his era. The sonic world the artist built for his half of this double album is one filled with vibrant pinks and sweet melodies. André 3000 produced almost the entirety of The Love Below himself, making it a fully unfiltered look into the endless imagination of the man behind it all. He quickly establishes his vision with his crooning on “Love Hater”, a cabaret-style tune with swinging horns. 3000’s singing played a major role on this LP, tender moments like “Prototype” are juxtaposed by the fiery falsettos of “Roses”. The Love Below is much more than its singles (despite “Hey Ya!” being a timeless tempo), it is a snapshot of André 3000’s full potential as an overall artist carried by natural talent and relentless innovation.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a glimmering jewel in the crown of Southern Hip-hop and the world of music as a whole. Outkast created an LP overflowing with innovation that was an instant hit and twenty years later, still holds up as one of the most ambitious successes of its time.
