House, R&B, Soul & Rap > Outkast House, R&B, Soul & Rap > 1990 to 1999

Advantages: Big debut with an original sound
Disadvantages: Little variety

"Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" was the debut single from OutKast. This was one of the first Hip Hop albums of its kind, because it was from an Atlanta duo. At the time, in the early ninties, Southern hip Hop was considered very alternate, although now it is the most prominant variation. From places such as Houston, Memphis and Miami, there were only a handfull of artist which could claim to have gotten big in America, these include: Scarface, ...
...The artist from the south had to make themself a distinctive sound as the East and West Coasts of America had before, so a blend of these two was used. OutKast was a group which expirimented a lot with teir own sound in the beat and lyrics, which brins us to what we hear in this album. 1. Peaches (Intro) 2. Myintrotoletuknow This is a very funky build up for the group as it has an electric guitar riff throughout which funks the beat up. This isn't ... Read review

Advantages: Very original
Disadvantages: Concept to album doesn't hold on

Released in 1996, "ATLines" was the second album relase by the pioneering Atlanta Hip Hop duo OutKast. It wasn't until much later on in 2001 when they released "Stankonia", coming out with singles such as "Ms. Jackson", "B.O.B." and "So Fresh, So Clean" when they received mainstream attention. I felt that in comparison to "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik", the debut record from them, this was less experimental, showing that they had worked out a ...
...sound with other duos in the region such as 8Ball & MJG and UGK, and without them, we may not see the domaintion which the Dirty South may over Hip Hop today. 1. You May Die (Intro) 2. Two Dope Boyz This is one of the best tracks off the album as we are taken on a strange little journey with "Two Dope Boyz In Cadillac", and the adventures which this duo of drug-dealers get up to. I felt that this was a strange foundation, but in made for a very ... Read review

Advantages: Strong lyrics.
Disadvantages: Too experimental. No big single.

"Aquemini" is the thirs album from the Atlanta rap duo, OutKast (consisting of the two MCs: André 3000 and Big Boi). This album was released in 1998, two years after "ATLiens", and showed that the group had managed to build up a strong fan base as this went straight up to #2 in the States. However at this time they remained relatively unknown in the UK until their next album "Stankonia", which had tracks such as "So Fresh, So Clean", "B.O.B." and ...
...2. "Return Of The 'G'" I didn't really find this to be the best way to get you into the mood for some of OutKast's music as it displayed a differnt side to them, in comparison to the two earlier releases. It was as if they were attempting to win over fans which they started out with, who may not have been as keen on "ATLiens". However, although it didn't sound as appealing to the traditionalists, it was strong in terms of the delivery and lyrical ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of big hits. Takes us back through time
Disadvantages: Some bad track, lots of skits

This is an "Urban Classics" compilation album which brought the first and then-last album of Hip Hop and R&B groups, this one was OutKast. At the time of release, "Stankonia" was the last album with "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" their debut. This compilaltion shows how far the group have come with a difference of three albums. The time which had gone by was nine years, and so there were a lot of differences which the group had gone through between ...
...the debut single from OutKast. This was one of the first Hip Hop albums of its kind, because it was from an Atlanta duo. At the time, in the early ninties, Southern hip Hop was considered very alternate, although now it is the most prominant variation. From places such as Houston, Memphis and Miami, there were only a handfull of artist which could claim to have gotten big in America, these include: Scarface, The Geto Boys, Pastor Troy and UGK. The ... Read review

Advantages: A couple of good tracks
Disadvantages: Repetitive beats

...from them. The albino toaster, King Yellowman, from Jamaica gives some Dancehall influence on this Dub-style tune, but it really doesn't work for me at all. **One Star** 6. "Can You Rock It Like This" Going from one poor tune to another, after failing at Regae, Run-D.M.C. return to some Rock here and you have them come with the type of stuff which you know them for as DJ Run and D.M.C. alternate turns in MCing, and they complements each others ...
...you have few positives in it. **One Star** 7. "You're Blind" Although I have complained about their repetitiveness through this, and their past material, here I foudn that it seemed to be rather effective in this one. The beat for this one showed a different side to the group as they come for something rather stern and tough from them, and out-of-character. I felt that it really worked for them as the content of the raps was focussed upon some ... Read review