Outkast

OutKast is a rap duo, a mixture of Dirty South and G-Funk. The duo is Dre (b. Andre Benjamin) and Big Boi (b. Antwan Patton), both from Atlanta, Georgia.

Big Boi and Dre went to high school together in East Point, Atlanta, and battled each other (lyrically) on a regular basis. They eventually teamed up, and were pursued by Organized Noize, a group of local producers who had made hits for TLC and Xscape. OutKast signed to LaFace and released "Player's Ball", which hit #1 on the Rap Chart. Their full length debut was Southernplayalisticadillakmusik (1994; see 1994 in music); the pair won Best New Rap Group at the Source Awards (1995; see 1995 in music)). ATLiens came out in 1996 (see 1996 in music) and hit #2 on the charts, as did Aquemini (1998; see 1998 in music). Though Aquemini had no singles, it was widely praised as an innovative, unique and refreshing album full of gangsta rap with a progressive vision. Outkast was then sued by Rosa Parks over the song, "Rosa Parks". She felt the song misappropriated her name, and also objected to some of the song's obscene language. Her suit was dismissed. The pair's fourth album, Stankonia (2000; see 2000 in music) was released to excellent reviews and debuted at #2; the single "Ms. Jackson" off that album is about Dre's breakup with singer Erykah Badu and became a crossover hit.