BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) ROSA PARKS
We’re sticking with their duo songs. I know “Speakerboxxx” and “The Love Below” is still considered Outkast albums, but let’s be real. Its two separate entities and two solo projects just packaged as one. Obviously “Hey Ya!” was a huge hit and would make this list. I’m sure “The Way You Move”, “Roses”, and other material would be in contention too if I bended on this rule. None the less, there are still plenty good jams to go with. Any way… This late 90’s single is what I think really put the group on the map. In the song they use the story of civil rights activist Rosa Parks as the metaphor for their take over on hip hop. Despite it done in an artistic and metaphorical way, Rosa Parks herself took offense. She sued the group for using her name and associating it with the vulgar language in the song. She’d lose, but it’s still a pretty crazy thought. Outkast was sued by Rosa Parks. That’s messed up.
(THREE) PLAYER’S BALL
This track goes back to 1993 and was the debut single from the duo. I could really put this as number one if I were going by strict personal preference. The swagger and flow of this song is spectacular. The title refers to the pimp gathering in Chicago every year, but it’s used as a metaphor to describe the group’s hometown of Atlanta, the South in general and hip hop. This is probably the least known of the Outkast songs featured on the list today and that should be rectified. Go out now, pick up “Sothernplayalistaicadillacmuzik” now and educate yourself on where the best hip hop duo of all time got their launch.
(TWO) SO FRESH, SO CLEAN
The third and final single of “Stankonia” was just as awesome as the first two, “B.O.B.” and “Ms. Jackson”. The group was on fire at this point in time and this song just added to that. It’s considered a “moderate success”, but I call BS on that. The term “so fresh and so clean-clean” became part of pop culture and is still said today. Well, at least by me…
(ONE) MS. JACKSON
This single won a Grammy in 2002 for “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” and tops charts across not just the country, but the entire world. Everyone knew this song and enjoyed it immensely. This song goes over the problems Andre’ 3000 had with the break ups, separation, and divorce with Erykah Badu. The story is something many could relate with, but it’s never been so eloquently presented as with this song. With the huge success of “Stankonia” and then with the double album follow up Outkast pretty much secured their place in music history.
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