Classics Discussion: OutKast

[arel]

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.

Can you elaborate further? When does something cease to be hip hop? Easy to say some things are and easy to say some things arent but where/what is the tipping point? Do you have other examples of artist or albums that should be part of this conversation?

 

[soulfuljah]

There's def an argument to be made that Outkast have three classics (Southernplayalistic, Aquemini, & ATLiens) but Stankonia and Speakerboxx/TheLoveBelow were a decline for them - both projects lacked cohesion and even sonically weren't as good.

Their first 3 albums are classic, and anybody that thinks otherwise

Regarding Stakonia, it was believed that they stopped working together on the album halfway through, with each recording in different studios. I voted it a classic but then had to think about it; it had classic songs and you can tell the songs where the cohesion was there (secret - listen to the singles) but that album was all over the place. I will still say that if Stankonia is considered your worst album (yet the album to get the most critical acclaim ), you did something right.

Now, I know Speakerboxxx/Love Below is considered an Outkast album (and the one that brought them Album of the Year at the Grammy's ), being a fan, I can't consider that an Outkast album. It was 2 solo albums masked as a double album. I still bumped it 2 years straight. (Spread was one of my theme songs during my savage years )

 

[milik_19]

I voted for all of them except the first album. It's a great album, especially if you think about it that they were like 18-19 years old when they made it, but I think it didnt age so well. I consider Aquemini as their best album, Stankonia is my 2nd favorite, such a great experimental record.

 

[Ziggiy]

Aquemini is undeniable. ANYONE who says it's not a classic deserves to be shot.

 

[milik_19]

The Love Below definitely had it's moments, though. Hey Ya, Roses, and A Life In The Day Of Benjamin Andre were all great.

Breh, A life in the day of benjamin Andre is one of my favorite songs of all time. That weird as hell beat fits the song so well. The way how Andre sums his life up, how he stops lines halfway in sentences, his word plays.

 

[Thief's Theme]

ATLiens a top 10 rap album for me, Aquemini barely makes the cut as a classic, Southernplaya - no. Stakonia - no. And the Love Below is a classic, but an R&B/pop classic.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

about 9 mins remaining

 

[StraightUpMenace]

ATLiens a top 10 rap album for me, Aquemini barely makes the cut as a classic, Southernplaya - no. Stakonia - no. And the Love Below is a classic, but an R&B/pop classic.

How is Southernplaya not a classic? It's a highly important and influential album.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: 101/127 - 79.5%**

** De La Soul is Dead got exactly the same score and I counted it as a classic but upon reflection, I'm removing the album from the classic list, and deciding to NOT count this as a classic. I'm gonna be strict and say it HAS to be 80% MINIMUM and it didn't reach 80. Thanks to all the fukkbois who voted 'no'.



ATLiens: 128/134 - 96%
Aquemini: 122/132 - 92%

Give Kast 2 classics and Pac 3 brehs...

 

[arel]

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: 101/127 - 79.5%**

** De La Soul is Dead got exactly the same score and I counted it as a classic but upon reflection, I'm removing the album from the classic list, and deciding to NOT count this as a classic. I'm gonna be strict and say it HAS to be 80% MINIMUM and it didn't reach 80. Thanks to all the fukkbois who voted 'no'.



ATLiens: 128/134 - 96%
Aquemini: 122/132 - 92%

Give Kast 2 classics and Pac 3 brehs...

Wait so de la soul is dead and southernplaya aren't classics?

Time to stop this now smh.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Wait so de la soul is dead and southernplaya aren't classics?

Time to stop this now smh.

I wanted to stop it when Pac got 3 classics...but yeah man unfortunately that's what it is.

I mean you agree with me it should read 80% and above right? Instead of 79.5 rounded up.

 

[arel]

I wanted to stop it when Pac got 3 classics...but yeah man unfortunately that's what it is.

i mean personally I don't have anything against pac having 3. only in retrospect does it look cooked given what hasn't made the cut. I mean pac has the two weakest albums out of those that made the cut.

I mean you agree with me it should read 80% and above right? Instead of 79.5 rounded up.

well i think those are the rules

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

i mean personally I don't have anything against pac having 3. only in retrospect does it look cooked given what hasn't made the cut. I mean pac has the two weakest albums out of those that made the cut.


well i think those are the rules

right regarding Pac, that was exactly it. The stricter guidelines have prevented way more deserving albums from making the cut yet Pac gets all 3 intact.

damn this hurts....

 

[Illin Degenerate]

It was a clear drop off in quality from Aquemini.

i wouldnt nitpick over someone saying this, it wasnt as consistent, but sonically and the songwriting are just as good and overall its great in its own right.

 

[mobbinfms]

De La Soul is Dead and Southernplaya should be on the list with an asterisk