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Outkast - "Aquemini"  LaFace

 Southern Hip Hop

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This is Outkast's third release, hailing from the deep South and benefitting from the Organized Noize production team that also produce Goodie Mob and Witchdoctor. Dropping two original albums, both were different from each other. The first self-explanatory album "SouthernPlayalisticCadillacMusik" was cool as was the more etherally spiritual "ATLiens". The two differing views and ideas of the two artists forming Outkast were thus catered to in this way. Big Boi and Dre now combine the two styles while elevating it into a real blend. Despite their apparent differences, as shown by their interviews, they manage to stay tight, and this is shown on "Aquemini" which mutates into the bonding of the two styles shared by the two emcees.

The two singles, "Rosa Parks" and "Skew It On The Bar-B" are great songs. The former is like a Southern gathering, with the catchy hook "ah ha hush that fush/everybody move to the back of the bus/do you wanna bump and slump wit us/we the type of people make the club get crunk." The production also shows their willingness to experiment, even making a harmonica sound cool! Damn! It's also a great song to get a party started. The latter features the Wu's Raekwon staying toe-to-toe with a Southern-fried track, and is a must have for the hardcore headz.

I was feelin' "Da Art of Storytellin'" (parts 1 & 2). Obviously embodying the storytelling elements of hip hop to a tee, the production complemented the lyrics. The soulful hook fitted well, the vocal chords being flexed to good effect. Part 2 sounds like Andre rapping over a CB radio, but the darker effect of the beat was a good switch up. The soulful tones are still evident on this track, and unlike many commercial attempts, this fact does not impinge upon the overall quality of the track. George Clinton lends support on "Synthesizer", outlining the impact of science on people. It's difficult to say which songs are the higlight, as the album is one big highlight all the way through!

Undoubtedly, their accent fits the sound, and adds some style as well as sounding different. To someone who is used to listening to the NY sound or even the Cali sound, this is obvious, but in a strange way it adds to their charm. This, obviously, is not their reason for being where they are. The reason for that are the two albums and their pure talent. A talent that has them being compared to A Tribe Called Quest, but after the sundering of this legendary group, people could look to Outkast for their integrity and staying-true-to-themselves attitudes towards their music.

This album is something you have to listen to, not something you just bump to, which may not be to everyone's taste. The marrying of the two elements of their previous albums' sounds is successful in a way that the artists can be happy with, as can the listener. - Roni


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