No one expected Outkast’s sophomore LP to simply be great.
Following the surprising yet astounding success of their debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, duo Big Boi and Andre 3000 found themselves nestled firmly into conversations of hip-hop’s best.
If industry and fan anticipation for ATLiens manifested as a planet, it would have eclipsed the mass of Jupiter twice over. Their second coming was predicted to be Empire Strikes Back, not a pajama jammy jam!
What Outkast delivered was an artistic masterpiece light speeds ahead of music standards. A cinematic narrative set to trunk-rattling production, detailing the tribulations accompanying life-changing accomplishments that didn’t entirely change their lives.
Despite new-found fame, Andre and Big Boi still inhabited a world in social, ethical, and financial turmoil. Their millions-selling first album and originality essentially made them aliens in their own home town, relationships, and throughout the recording industry. They depicted these facts with unforgiving honesty and undeniable skill.
The slowed pace of their Organized Noize-produced lead-off single “Elevators (Me & You)” served as a groundbreaking reintroduction, showcasing both MCs had made themselves individually identifiable. They’d both substantially progressed both their lyrical and delivery prowess while simultaneously resetting hip-hop’s benchmark for storytelling.
With east coast lyricism held in high regard, wordsmiths from the south weren’t exactly measured by the same rulers. If the jumping title track wasn’t evidence enough, Outkast surely changed impressions with “Wheelz of Steel” – a rhyme-riddled thumping throwback with futuristic tendencies.
Excellence remained dominantly prevalent from opening track “Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)” through closing number “13th Floor/Growing Old”.
All told, ATLiens is an unquestionable classic, one which holds up no matter what galaxy you’re from!|THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
Classic Hip Hop albums reviews was trend originated by our friends at Concrete Magazine. Visit Concrete615.com.
