The South got something to say: The ultimate Outkast playlist

Outkast made their presence known and helped cement the blueprint of southern hip hop when they released their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. With an album produced entirely by Organized Noize, the duo’s lead single “Player’s Ball” gave every listener an essence of attending a player’s ball. Everything is described in the song from riding in Cadillacs to wearing afros and braids.

By the time Outkast released their second album ATLiens, they realized they were making it in the industry and solidifying Atlanta as another prominent music hub. On their single “Elevators (Me & You)," they reflect on where they’ve come from and how their fame has elevated their lives. 

By the time Outkast released their third album Aquemini, they had more freedom on producing more music themselves. They produced the album’s first single “Rosa Parks,” which wasn’t necessarily about the Civil Rights Movement activist the song was named after but still became one of the duo's most popular hits. 

If there was ever a song about looking fly, Outkast’s 2001 hit “So Fresh, So Clean” deserves all the praise. With production from longtime collaborators Organized Noize, the smooth and funky beat makes every listener want to look and feel their best, as they say in the song, “Ain’t nobody dope as me / I’m just so fresh, so clean.”

By 2003, Outkast decided to drop a double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below which was essentially solo albums from André and Big Boi. The album sparked four singles including the lead, “Hey Ya.” It definitely gave fans a better sense of André's individual and unique style, which was evident in the music video reminiscent of groups appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show.

When people ask about which tracks should be on a list of the greatest hip-hop songs ever created, “Int’l Players Anthem” is typically always brought up. Between the Willie Hutch sample of "Choose You" and the emotion in the MC's voices as they rap about giving up their player ways for a commitment, it's definitely a southern hip hop love anthem. 

The title track for “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” is a great introduction to how Outkast is moving in the South. Everything from the Cadillacs they drive, the food they eat, and their style, it truly showcases who they are as people and artists. 

One thing about Outkast’s single “ATLiens” is how much the deep base production instantly draws a listener in. Not to mention the catchy hook when the duo says, “Throw your hands in the air / And wave ‘em like you just don’t care / And if you like fish and grits and all that pimp s**t / Everybody let me hear you say O-Yea-Yer.”

By 2000, Outkast released their fourth album Stankonia with the lead single at “B.O.B.” The acronym stands for Bombs Over Baghdad, and with the political state that the country was in at the time, the song was banned on some radio stations due to the song’s presumed message. However, the song wasn’t really as political as some might have thought.

When Big Boi released his solo track “The Way You Move,” it was clear how the direction of Speakerboxxx would contrast to André’s The Love Below. With additional vocals from frequent collaborator Sleepy Brown, “The Way You Move” was filled with soul music remnants alongside the classic Outkast sound.

One of the standout tracks from Idlewild is the marching band-driven “Morris Brown.” For anyone who's ever attended an HBCU football game, perhaps this song was played, especially since it featured the Morris Brown College Marching Wolverines band. 

The third single from Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is the inspirational “Git Up, Git Out.” André and Big Boi team up with Goodie Mob as they stress how people need to get up and make something of themselves. Sometimes, people have to work jobs just to make ends meet, but if one has dreams for something better, they should go for it.

One of the most popular songs to drop in the year 2000 was Outkast’s single, “Ms. Jackson.” Not only did the video get a lot of play on MTV and BET, but it helped earn Outkast their first No. 1 single.

Although it wasn't released as a single, Outkast's "Chonkyfire" has always been a standout on the Aquemini album. As André and Big Boi use the track to talk about how they're putting their imprint on the industry, the song eventually ends with a clip of André's speech at the Source Awards. 

“Roses” was the third single from Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, and for anyone that was named Caroline, they’ve probably heard this song a million times. André 3000 calls out Caroline for being a gold digger and states that most men would rather be with down-to-earth girls. 

In 2006, Outkast released their last album Idlewild, which was also the soundtrack to their film of the same name. The album’s lead single “Mighty O” was produced by longtime collaborators Organized Noize.

The final single from Aquemini was the Mr. DJ-produced track, “Da Art of Storytellin' (Pt. 1)." The song finds both Big Boi and André giving different tales of women they dealt with in their lives. For newer generations of hip hop fans, perhaps the song sounds familiar since J. Cole sampled it on his Born Sinner album.

On "Prototype," OutKast gave us a rap ballad. The guitar-driven song has André singing about falling in love with someone who he hopes is the one, if not, she’s the prototype for what he ultimately wants.

Outkast teamed up with Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg on their single, “Hollywood Divorce.” The rappers trade bars about famous people getting married, but once success takes over, it could end up in divorce.

For Outkast fans who want something smooth to listen to while riding in the car, “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” should be added to the playlist. Although it wasn’t released as a single from Aquemini, the funky horn section on the deep bass line sounds reminiscent of the old school era, perfect for easy listening.

In 2001, Outkast decided to release a greatest hits album that featured a new track, “The Whole World.” The song became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

From the intro to the song, “Greetings, earthlings,” it’s evident that Outkast has proven that they are cut from a different cloth. "Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)" is all about giving the listeners a taste of Outkast's hometown, upbringing, and how they move within the South.  

One of the standout tracks on Idlewild is the funky “Idlewild Blue.” Thanks to André's production, it's a smooth track that's reminiscent of the blues and jazz eras.

Although it wasn’t released as a single, one of the standout Aquemini tracks is “Mainstream.” The smooth production from Organized Noize meshes perfectly as the rappers tell about trying to survive while living in the hood. 

It was always evident how different Big Boi and André were different from the rest of the industry, which is one reason why their group name was perfect, but they were also different from each other. The title "Aquemini" was based on how the rappers mesh both of their worlds, Big Boi being an Aquarius and André being a Gemini. On the track, they wanted to emphasize how they would always be a team no matter their differences.