OutKast: Dopaliciously Southern Music

1. Introduction
   1. Outkast is an award-winning, diamond-selling hip-hop duo that was created in 1991 in Atlanta, GA comprised of Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and Andre “Andre 3000” Benjamin. Known for hits such as “B.O.B”, “Roses”, “Ms. Jackson”, “Hey Ya” and more, the duo has reached both critical acclaim along with commercial success. Their album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” is certified diamond with over 10 million albums sold and is still the only hip-hop album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys. Outkast, as their name would suggest, is a group unlike any other, drawing influences from funk, jazz, soul, pop, and rock music. The duo is often credited for creating a new sound representative of the South in the midst of the infamous east coast vs west coast feud. With Atlanta today being a mecca for black music and culture, they are the creators of a movement that is still alive and well and has influenced millions of people around the world.
   2. Research Methodology: The research used in this paper stem from literature searches conducted during the course of this class. Because of their heavy influence in the hip-hop arena, OutKast has been a topic of many social commentaries and musical editorials. Databases were provided by the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library. The literature consist of mostly qualitative data, which provide an in-depth analysis of the pair’s complex workings.
2. Humble Beginnings
   1. Early Life
      1. Formation
   2. Dungeon Family
   3. Debut
3. Music Elements
   1. Instrumentation
   2. Production Elements
      1. Authentic instrumentation vs sampling
   3. Influences
      1. A Tribe Called Quest (Outkast/ATCQ rumored collab)
      2. Antwan’s aunt
      3. Unorthodox influences (i.e. Kate Bush, Duran Duran)
4. Discography
   1. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
   2. ATLiens
   3. Aquemini
   4. Stankonia
   5. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
   6. Idlewild
5. Accolades
6. Beyond the Music Realm
   1. Acting Careers
      1. Idlewild
      2. ATL
      3. Four Brothers
   2. Activism
7. Solo Careers
8. Conclusion
   1. In conclusion, it is apparent that Outkast is one of the most influential Black groups in the history of hip-hop. Even as individuals, their ingenuity assisted in revolutionizing Southern hip-hop. Their role in the Black musical arena cannot be underestimated even as the group separated. From the depths of impoverished culture to the top of American mainstream, Outkast proved to set a precedent for the landscape of modern hip-hop.

 

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