OutKast

Released: April 26, 1994

Songwriter: Organized Noize OutKast

Producer: Organized Noize

[Interlude]
Hi-errr, this is the Captain ... speaking
We are now descending into Hartsfield International Airport
I'd like to welcome you to Atlanta
We have clear blue skies over Atlanta
Which, by the way, is the home of the Atlanta Hawks, the Braves, and the Falcons
To the far left, you can see the Georgia Dome
Which by the way still flies the Confederate battle flag

Atlanta has been called the new Motown of the South
And is the home of LaFace Records
Organized Noize Productions

If you look to your far right, you can see Decatur
And below you, to the right, is East Point and College Park
Home of the red dogs, rap cats, and robbin' crew
And home to the player, the 'Lacs, and the motherfuckin' Outkast

Atlanta, Georgia natives André “André 3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton are OutKast, one of the most successful rap groups of all time. Along with the production crew Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family collective, André and Big Boi helped popularize and expand the sound of rap in the “Dirty South.”

The duo connected at Tri-Cities High School and after the names “2 Shades Deep” or “The Misfits” didn’t work out, they went with OutKast as a synonym of “misfit.” They signed to LaFace Records in 1992 prior to finishing high school and their first official appearance came on a remix to TLC’s hit single “What About Your Friends.” This led into their debut single “Player’s Ball” being released in 1993 and their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik following in 1994. They had a pivotal moment early in their career as they were named New Artist of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards, leading them to be booed by the New York crowd and André responding with his iconic “The South got somethin' to say.”

Their next two albums, ATLiens (1996) and Aquemini (1998), have sparked debates as to which album is superior. ATLiens saw the duo begin to produce their own music and increase their profile while Aquemini received a perfect “5 Mic” rating from The Source magazine. Their next album, Stankonia (2000), further solidified their superstar status with the hit singles “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean” and “Ms. Jackson,” which won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group while Stankonia won a Grammy in the Best Rap Album category.

more tracks from the album

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

From the album

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994)

OutKast popular songs

Welcome to Atlanta (Interlude)OutKast

OutKast

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik