‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ Put Atlanta On The Map

01.23.17
‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ Put Atlanta On The Map (This is the Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik cover.)

This is the group Outkast (Andre 3000 left, Big Boi right)

I wasn’t even alive when this album was released but when I first heard it I was so intrigued. Outkast is definitely my favorite hip-hop group of all time. The members of Outkast were born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton met in 1991 at 16 years old and both attended Tri-Cities High School and would participate in rap battles in the cafeteria. They were rivals in high school but now they are known as legends in the hip hop community.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, all one word, is the name of the album. This album is the 1st album of Outkast. This album brings the classic sound and groove of the South. The tracks on the album are very laid back, nothing in your face. I could fall asleep off of this album. This album is also very unique, it sounds nothing like the more recent of Outkast’s work like ‘Stankonia’, ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’, or ‘ATLiens’. It brings the rare style of Andre 3000 before he turned to his signature unique style. You don’t usually hear Andre speaking about smoking, cars, or sex in Outkasts more recent work. Big Boi on the other hand has carried more of the same style throughout the years keeping his southern style alive. This album holds a solid 17 tracks including an intro, 4 interludes, and a reprise. The more popular tracks are ‘Ain’t No Thang’, ‘Player’s Ball’, ‘Hootie Hoo’, and ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was released by LaFace on April 26, 1994, and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200, eventually being certified platinum.

The best thing of this album is definitely the chillness and how laid back this album is. And how it is just one of the greatest exemplars of southern 90’s hip hop. Outkast really put ATL on the map with this album and all the rest of Outkast’s work along with Goodie Mob and Ludacris. The only thing that I would say is lacking is Andre 3000’s unique style that you get in albums like ‘ATLiens’ and ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’. I still love and respect this side of 3000 equally as much as his current style. Despite that this stays one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time.

I would recommend this album seeking the nostalgia of Outkast. Also people looking for a classic southern sound.

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