People who complain that all hip-hop sounds the same have never listened to OutKast. On its fourth album, the Atlanta-based duo delivers another knockout of an album, one as diverse as Dennis RodmanΓÇÖs hairstyles. Dre and Big Boi again reinvent themselves, this time as Parliament-inspired musicians who specialize in male-female relationships, boasting, and out-there lyrics.
Easily the more experimental of the two, Dre distorts his voice, sings in falsetto, and raps in cosmic-coded lyrics on many of the 17 songs, including the irresistible single ΓÇ£Ms. Jackson.ΓÇ¥ In fact, much of the album remains upbeat, straying from the introspective tone and political slant of much of OutKastΓÇÖs earlier work. But this is one party worth experiencing. ΓÇ£BOBΓÇ¥ explodes in revved-up adrenaline, while ΓÇ£So Fresh So CleanΓÇ¥ is smoother than freshly lotioned skin.
With another nearly flawless album, OutKast arguably solidifies its reputation as one of the best hip-hop groups of all time.
All recordings courtesy of LaFace/Arista Records. ΓÇ£B.O.BΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£Ms. JacksonΓÇ¥ written by A. Benjamin, A. Patton, D. Sheats; courtesy of Gnat Booty/Chrysalis Music, Inc./Dungeon Ratz Music, Inc. (ASCAP). ΓÇ£So Fresh, So CleanΓÇ¥ written by Organized Noize, A. Benjamin, A. Patton; courtesy of Organized Noize Music (BMI)/Gnat Booty/Chrysalis Music, Inc. (ASCAP).
