Classics Discussion: OutKast

[BmoreGorilla]

Building off this important post, what I'm gonna say will ruffle some feathers: Outkast in general don't make hip hop. They're alternative 'urban' artists, who happen to be very good at what they do. None of their albums are GOAT hip hop contenders. A huge part of their appeal is that they run counter to what hip hop does. I always find it hilarious when cacs act like Outkast is the highest expression of hip hop, when in fact, Outkast are proto-rap connoisseurs and imitators brought into modern day. They're basically devolving hip hop and creating fusion music that straddles both worlds (the hip hop and non-hip hop worlds) equally while not being 100% true to each other.

And if you think what I'm saying is bullshyt, look at how the rap game has been over the last 10 years. shyt output, yet an unprecedented number of 3 Stacks clones. Coincidence? I think not.

All that aside (I already sense feelings being hurt), I fukk with some of Outkast's music. They have a strong discography and songs I'll always enjoy.

My top 5 all-time Outkast songs:
Atliens
SpottieOttieDopaliscious
So Fresh So Clean
Da Art of Storytellin Pt 1 with Slick Rick
Ghetto Musick
6th man: Jazzy Belle (that opening line is fantastic)

The fact that it was relatively easy for me to choose my top 5 Outkast songs tells me these guys don't really have loads of classic albums/hip hop songs like that. In comparison, me thinking of my favorite top 5 Nas/Jay-Z songs all time is fukking impossible.

Anyway, given the fact that these guys don't really make hip hop (why do you think they're on LaFace?), I'm hesitant to give them more than one hip hop classic. Because that's what we're talking about here. HIP HOP. If we're talking urban music classics of the 90s, then sure. I'd throw Aquemini in there too.

Their overall best album, and more hip hop than subsequent work: A T L I E N S

Outkast is no less hip hop than the Fugees breh. They stretched the limits of the genre

 

[BmoreGorilla]

People should actually learn from some of our debates/discussions because we get to the subject, say our view points and see where the other is coming from then either agree or agree to disagree. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing if people aren't disagreeable. Forum would be so boring if everyone agreed on everything, likewise it is sometimes boring because many don't debate or discuss anymore, it's delusional made up personal attacks from people hurt and obsessed or deflections. It's like don't want to actually debate the issues, so
I'm not even interested really in elaborating or discussing because it's pointless with trolls, it's a shame cause a lot of interesting debate doesn't happen due to that. I've already said if people think Kast have classics I'm not mad at that at all, it's all good, no-one's denying they have albums that some/many view as classic, it comes down to personal opinion which individuals are naturally bound to differ on.

Your kinda missing the point of this whole series. The point is to try to be as objective as possible. I admit i was biased with Redman and Nas. But I also voted yes for the MMLP when I didn't even like the album and voted no for Eminem Show when I liked it better

 

[The Ruler 09]

Your kinda missing the point of this whole series. The point is to try to be as objective as possible. I admit i was biased with Redman and Nas. But I also voted yes for the MMLP when I didn't even like the album and voted no for Eminem Show when I liked it better

At the beggining I think it said you don't have to use the definition of classic provided. I'm being objective about the quality, if it was about merely what the consensus is it would be entirely different thread to me and I'd vote differently also. If I was voting that way I'd vote ATliens and Aquemini....

 

[Abstract83]

Ima big fan/bias so they're all classics to me.

 

[Monoblock]

I can only say the first 3 even though everything else after that was very damn good. Stankonia just missed out. If the Love Below was a solo album it would be there too.

 

[BlackMamba824]

Building off this important post, what I'm gonna say will ruffle some feathers: Outkast in general don't make hip hop. They're alternative 'urban' artists, who happen to be very good at what they do. None of their albums are GOAT hip hop contenders. A huge part of their appeal is that they run counter to what hip hop does. I always find it hilarious when cacs act like Outkast is the highest expression of hip hop, when in fact, Outkast are proto-rap connoisseurs and imitators brought into modern day. They're basically devolving hip hop and creating fusion music that straddles both worlds (the hip hop and non-hip hop worlds) equally while not being 100% true to each other.

Sums up my feelings about Outkast perfectly....although I wouldn't be being honest with myself if i said i thought they only had one classic

 

[SirBiatch]

Outkast is no less hip hop than the Fugees breh. They stretched the limits of the genre

not the best example. I don't really consider them hip hop like that. Both of their most celebrated members recorded pop/RnB/hip hop hybrid albums.

This narrative that 'hip hop on its own is limited as a genre and needs progressive closer-to-real musicians to stretch the limits of the genre by reaching back into its roots' is getting old. shyt's offensive to me. Hip hop comes from a lot of things, but it's so different from everything else. It hasn't needed to lean on its roots since the late 70s.

You know who stretched the limits of the genre? Nas. Slick Rick. Mobb Deep. Snoop Dogg. Wu-tang. Not only did they stretch the limits of the genre, they grabbed it by horn and steered it in the direction they wanted.

While these alternative 'positive' 'I'm so eclectic because i like prog rock and I'm not as ghetto' cats sat there and made albums in reaction to what Nas/Mobb/Wu and them were doing. And I'm supposed to believe these guys sitting in the passenger seat were dropping GOAT contender albums left right and center? FOH

 

[Monoblock]

Chonkyfire
Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 2
Players Ball (Extended 10 minute version)
Growing Old
Wheelz of Steel
Spottieottiedopaliscious

 

[Hamza B.]

Out of all the albums in my top 10 list, Aquemini might be the one that has stood the test of time the best. Such a complete, concise album on every level. They pushed themselves musically but didn't fall off the deep end like they eventually did after. I voted yes for ATLiens and Aquemeni. Was on the fence about Southernplayalistcaddilacmuzic. I always considered that a great album, but not on the level of their next two. I'll have to give that a fresh listen though. Stankonia is when they went into too goofy for me territory, but it had some good tracks though.

 

[phatphuck]

first three

 

[Pinyapplesuckas]

lot of fukkery in this thread. Outkast the goat. end of story.

 

[nieman]

I only have the first 2. Southernplayalistic is their best album but few will admit to that. ATLiens grew on me. Aquemini, I was up in the air on, so I voted no.

 

[GeeEffKay]

voted yes to the first 3 for sure, not sure about stankonia and sb/tlb but it has a strong case mainly for the singles and impact they had

 

[TrillaThanMost]

I honestly listen to southernplaya.... EVERYDAY at work... Always been a top 5 of mines

 

[TrillaThanMost]

Hell im actually listening to it now, that's what made me click on the thread lol