Reviews (page 6 of 13)
I enjoyed this one a lot. Took me a long time to appreciate this band, but so worth it. My only observation is that it was really long….maybe there is something as too much OutKast in one sitting!
It was good. Amazing beats but I’m not a fan of the skits.
Liked it. Can tell why it's a benchmark album.
Nice!
I can’t believe I waited this long to listen to this. I knew the singles, but the rest of the album is great. Weird beats, really good production.
An album filled with many great songs and a lot of interludes. The album could be tighter and there are a few songs I'm not sold 100% on. I really like it but it's the weakest of OutKast's major 3 albums. 8/10
Though this isn't the kind of music I listen to I can appreciate the depth of this dynamic album
Lot of great songs on here, it was fun to revisit an old favorite. Some of it hasn’t aged super well - “(I am for real!)” seems so corny now. I still really dislike the skits.
cool
I'm just going to start rating hip-hop albums by how much they remind me of/owe to Prince--this is a 3.5, bumped up for the actual backing band.
3.5
A good album fir its genre. A bit too long, but varied musically. 4 stars
I own this album and have always enjoyed it. I’m more of a fan of the slowed down soulful type side those with key songs So fresh and so clean, Ms. Jackson, and Call be fire I come, I think when they go faster and more trap style it loses a bit but it is still fun.
A great album- this one has so many hits I remember from my childhood. It also has a ton of B sides that slap- both Andre 3000 and Big Boy have strong, unique styles that bring complexity and variety to the songs on the album. Overall- very good album. 4.5/5
This is interesting, the vibe is more funk. This album is really cohesive and it feels like an experience. Feels like a soundtrack.
Hade kunnat få full pott om buskisen lämnats därhän.
I'm not big into rap music but I've been genuinely surprised and the songs were really diversed and unique ! For me, versality is really something important and it has been done very well. The only song I knew was the classic Mrs. Jackson but songs like Gasoline dream and Spaghetti Junction were a very nice discovery.
I have heard some songs from this before so am excited to listen to it in its entirety. I can see why it is influential, has a bit of everything. It has a few stand out songs but mostly, you can hear how it influenced the genre and tried to do something different. Definitely an enjoyable listen, will return to some songs. Songs I liked: So Fresh, So Clean; Ms Jackson, Spaghetti Junction, B.O.B, Xplosion, Red Velvet Songs I liked less: Snappin & Trappin
It's good I suppose... it needs improvement though. Obviously 'Ms. Jackson' and 'B.O.B' are really, REALLY, good, but then there's some songs like 'We Luv Deez Hoez' that just don't hit the mark. It's hard not to love Outkast, but this still does have a few too many flaws.
What's amazing is that this album sounds like it just came out (or maybe I don't listen to modern music?). It's like they set the standard for the next 25 years. BOB was on repeat for me during high school. Fresh and so Clean is in my head all of the time. Ms. Jackson is outstanding. Too many skits and short bits, but alright, whatever.
A few bangers.
finally a fucking great album. Outkast represent everything i love about hip hop and there's a strong case that this album is the peak of their creativity and willingness to experiment. Ms. Jackson is among the greatest number ones of all time, B.O.B. is an eternal banger, Humble Mumble, Xplosion, Gasoline Dreams... man this album rocks. deserves to be one of the 1001? absolutely. any of their albums other than Idlewild can have a case made but this one's probably the strongest
not my favorite Outkast project (i prefer ATLiens and Aquemini), but Stankonia is really where their star power took off. B.O.B. is definitely their best song though, so fucking good!
Definitive staple of the Southern Hip Hop scene by arguably one of the best acts to do it. Solid bangers across the whole album and would be an easy 5 for me if it wasn't for the interludes/skits every few tracks. A serious whos-who of features across the album though.
YAS
Classic
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I think the album is greater than the sum of it's parts due to the vibe.
I heard this album for the first time today... This album single-handedly made me want to get into more hip-hop music. Compared to the other hip-hop albums I've heard, this album is probably one of the most influential. It most literally fused funk, hip-hop, rock, and psychedelia music-- all packaged neatly into one album. Very influential and ahead of its time. This album pulled me in headfirst. Revolutionary.
Slightly carried by the bangers.
4/5. Solid and clever. Humble mumble a surprise favorite
Pretty great, kinda long. I’m more of an Aquemini fan.
Definitely not nearly as consistent as Aquemini or ATLiens, but the highs on this album are highs that other artists could only dream of. Could probably be 20-25 minutes shorter but it's still quality despite that. Bombs over Bangdad! Ms Jackson! Red Velvet! So Fresh So Clean! Red Velvet! Humble Mumble! It's great! It's a 3.5 but I'm feeling generous and rounding up.
Really funky album, has good instrumentals. A bit joking of vocals and skits. But the last half of the album is great. The first half is good.
Hell yeah! I was just reading about this album (and Outkast) yesterday, in two separate places for two separate reasons, one of which was the announcement they will be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame this year.
I can see why this album was on the list. There was a lot to like about this. I did t like the rap songs so much but there was rock, soul and r&b that were all good.
This album's a classic. Not every single song is for me, but these guys breathe so much musicality that I have to at least give it 4 stars.
It’s good.
Super album.
Good Hip hop, the radio track ms jackson is a classic but the rest of the album stands on its own
the 1001 albums generator giveth, and the 1001 albums generator taketh away. getting both outkast albums in the span of a month felt pretty generous.
This is #day253 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… it's been a while since I last messed up the numbers. Yesterday was supposed to be #day252, but I labeled it #253 instead. With how hectic the past couple of weeks have been, it's understandable. Anyway, it's kind of funny to land on Stankonia today, because I had "Ms. Jackson" on the playlist for my birthday party on Sunday. It was a party with a good cause, though, as I raised money for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The playlist was packed with pop/rap/dance tunes from the '00s, the kind of stuff you'd hear on the radio or catch on TV. Outkast… I learned about this duo from a local teenzine around 2003–2004. I can still picture the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below cover and remember seeing Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik listed in their discography. "Hey Ya" was massive back then. And I remember "Ms. Jackson" on the radio, too. So I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this duo. And it's no surprise, because what you've got here is something way beyond hip-hop. Outkast runs the gamut of styles, remaining on the edge of progressiveness. Name another band mixing rap, rave music, psychedelia, gospel, rock, and all that jazz in such an entertaining way. That's what I'm saying. I'm giving this a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day254.
It took some time at first to get into it as I'm not a Southern Hip-Hop connoisseur at all, but it was a great experience for sure. There are definitely some hits that I'll listen more often now!
The whole album sounded very different to me than the famous hit "Hey, ya". I was very impressed, because I realized that I did knew Outkast good enough. Very good rap. One of the best for sure.
This album holds up way better than i expected and made me want to deep dive OutKast.
There are some really great tracks on here, but at 73 minutes, there is also a lot of filler.
I'm sorryyyy Ms jackssooon
Outkast is one of those glimpses into a fun and creative world that just makes me wish I had a dope crew of friends. Seems like a really cool time in the Atlanta hip hop scene. So much fun, commentary, satire, etc going on in here. And of course the style and flows are next level. They're def carrying the Hieroglyphics torch.
Above average
Bangers for days
I’ve listened to this before, I already knew that it would be a banger. Always love listening to it again, it’s just so catchy. A little bit long, it’s still worth it
The album took a bit of time before starting but once it really got it on, it showed me again why genre-blurring is the best thing you can do in art, ever.
great time
the place from which all funky things come
Again, I could do without the skits but god damn was this good. This will always be the soundtrack for my college years.
You know, for the longest time I thought OutKast was solely known for Hey Ya. I think that’s because that was the first time I heard of them, but I never thought that they had other hits. Hell, I didn’t even know I Like The Way You Move was even them until a few years back. I am very stupid, I know. So let me lay out my thoughts for this album. This album covers the lyrical spectrum of hip hop, from rapping about social issues (Gasoline Dreams, Humble Mumble) to singing about making love (I’ll Call Before I Come, We Luv Deez Hoez) and does so in a complex way. This isn’t one-note hip-hop; there’s notes of rock, funk, and r&b that gives the tracks life. Stankonia is perhaps the most ambitious and innovation hip-hop album I’ve encountered so far and it’s fun but balanced energy can be felt. In particular, I loved the bombastic energy of B.O.B. That shit was electric. And Ms. Jackson lived up to its reputation: an emotional checkpoint within the first half of the album. However, there are a few draw backs. Inevitably, the length of Stankonia got to me and I think the second half suffers compared to the first half. I felt it became more rap centric and it kind of started to drag on me. Also, the interludes are a mixed bag. I found Pre-Nump and Drinkin’ Again to be “Sensible Chickle” territory, but the rest…eh. To be honest, as a whole, this is more of a 3.5 for me, mostly due to the second half. But I fell comfortable rounding it up to a four, since the good songs were bangers. Favorite track: B.O.B. Other hits: Ms. Jackson, Gasoline Dreams, So Fresh,So Clean, Xplosion, Toliet Tisha
Pretty cool album, very early 2000s feel hip hop/rap. A couple of well known tracks but maybe feel like the last half was a bit better. BREAK
Would be 4 stars if not for the skits/if it was trimmed down a bit. Still damn good. 3.5/5
Solid hip hop album with generally cohesive lyrical themes, incredibly well produced and creative beats, and interesting/engaging flow with the occasional pleasant hook break.
The Good: They warn us where we are heading… The Bad: What if we aren’t about the Stank? The Ugly: Feeling like an outcast listening to an Outkast album… I do my very best to always push down on Rap… but for me, Outkast, and more importantly Andre3000, isn’t rap. Outkast is funk the way that Flea from RHCP explained what funk is all about: mixture of fun and fuck… Anyway, can’t give the album a 5* because it is a little on the long side for me… but, I did have a funky time, so here’s to their 4*
OutKast is awesome man
So incredibly good
Great album, with 3 of my favorite OutKast songs ever. However, as a whole I dont like it as much as ATLiens or Aquemini, it has better peaks but as an album experience its weaker. The first half is borderline perfect, but the second has songs that dont connect with me.
Musically amazing, the energy is fantastic, blending all kinds of influences into vibrant, bouncy tracks that are just all so fun. I wanted to give this a 5 star, but holding it back is the fact that it is just very bloated. It was 1.25 hours and if it was like 50 minutes this would be a 5.
veszett jó album ez, a bombs over baghdadra még emlékszem is a viva tvből hehe. :D izgalmas zeneileg is, abszolút megérdemel egy négyest
This slaps but suffers for being a bit too long
so versatile, i reallv love outcast and I wish artists made albums like this today.
I settle down on the sofa with my wife and our newborn son, our little Christmas miracle. Our daughter had been asking for a baby brother for Christmas ever since she could talk, and she sits on the floor, excitedly showing her new family member her gifts from Santa. The fireplace is lit, the music is playing and life is.. very good. I catch myself smiling at my wife, and she notices and returns the grin before asking "what?". "I love you" I respond. "I love you too" she says as she snuggles in closer. And then, a noise I haven't heard in a long time - two men, or more, clapping their hands and speaking in unison "BREAK". "Did you hear that?" I ask my wife, looking around to see where the noise came from, but she is already standing up and taking off a wig, throwing down our son onto the floor. My daughter sighs and says, in an uncharacteristically deep voice, "finally" before going out for a smoke. My son is a prop doll. My whole life was a skit. I look into my hands and weep. Pretty good album.
Somehow got both OutKast albums in the span of 4 days but not complaining, a classic album in the hip hop genre and probably OutKast’s magnum opus
I love their singles but their albums never really hold my attention.
It feels a bit odd to get this album *after* their later "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" double-album, but that's life I suppose. I liked it that we got both Big Boi and André 3000 together on most songs, and I also really appreciated the more eclectic style on this album than most 90s/2000s hip-hop albums that we've gotten in this collection. That said, it's also a very different sound than on either half of "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," but nice to hear Andre 3000 moving towards his more melodic/singing style, and I also enjoyed the p-funk vibes on some tracks (especially "I'll call before I come"). A solid (but overly long) album overall, and a few highlights throughout, mainly their singles like "So fresh, so clean" (with a fun video to go along with the song), "Ms. Jackson" (with the horror-style video with head-bobbing animals) and the wild "B.O.B" (with an amazing and hypnotic technicolor video to accompany it, not to mention the creative remix by RAGM's Zach de la Rocha), also the frenetic "Humble Mumble". Although it's not my preferred music style, I can definitely see why this album was so highly ranked.
Some great songs here, esp Gasoline Dreams, So Fresh, So Clean, Bombs Over Baghdad, and even the not as great ones are pretty good. I need to listen to it again to really get my head around it but so far, I think it's a few tracks too long.
Great album.
Great album with some memorable hits.
Great album but a bit bloated
Cool album, some absolute bangers on there.
Some fantastic songs, great energy. Don't love the skits or misogyny.
An all-timer but had never listened to it front to back. I'm definitely more of a "singles and B-sides" Outkast fan but even I can recognize the greatness.
stanklove
Loved this album. So many good tracks. Still fresh and creative in my book, but felt a little less cohesive towards the middle and end.
I love parts and respect it all, but it’s too frenetic to be a regular part of my repertoire.
Psychedelic funky genre changing and bending. Love it.
Unique sounds but majority of songs are hard to bump to
Lots of different bangers here, quite a good listen
A bit long but good. Gasoline Dreams and Ms Jackson took this to a 4
This album rules. 8/10.
Rätt bra
Stonking Honking hits!
Overall: 7/10 I'm so glad these two made music together for a little bit cause their voices and different styles work so well together. I do think this album is a little hit or miss on a personal level but the best songs are so good that it's still a classic. It's way too long and although it's become a staple of hip hop, I couldn't care less about the interludes/skits. B.O.B. is on this album though and that's a top 10 rap song of all time. Fav Song: B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad Least Fav Song: Snappin' & Trappin'
Not a big rap fan but this is both nostalgic and funky
Enjoyed bumping around town to this album in Aunty
I love OutKast but the skits are annoying
Pretty much defined the start of the millennium. Willenium be damned.
Oh this is heat. Even if you gave this to me a year ago I would have rated it MUCH lower. It’s got amazing grooves and the flow is just incredible. Sounds even better when you peep on public transportation Fav song: Spaghetti Junction
Having been familiar with hit singles like Ms. Jackson but never hearing the full album, I was surprised at how varied and experimental this record could get. At times, the age of the album shows through the ABAB style rhyme patterns or out of time flows that some features have, but still are enjoyable lyrically. I give it 4 out of 5 stars because there were songs that I would probably skip if I weren't giving the album a concentrated listen, but I still see the appeal of them. Stankonia is an album that has definitely earned it's critical acclaim and I encourage anyone and everyone listen to it.
Really enjoyable listen with some awesome classics.
Revolutionary and really fun album. Unfortunately it suffers from too many interludes and a few misses.
Fun, great songs,
😀
lot of bangers in the album. lots of variety with funk, jazz, and even guitar solos. Favorite track: ms.jackson other picks: so fresh so clean, bob, gasoline dreams
Some high water marks achieved. Enjoyed the unorthodox flow and beats. Between a 3.5-4/5
So fresh and so clean! Pretty enjoyable and creative despite the sophomoric misogyny typical of this genre. I'd listen to it again.
So cool and fresh
really modern feeling record - lots of fun and really spectacular showing from the most consistent group of the century... i just always felt like this was their third best album ... i just love the 90s shyt a bit too much i suppose
there are 2 certified classics on this album and I liked the rest but didn’t love it. Was impressed listening to the lyrics and how progressive and meaningful they were.
Classic. Not my personal fav album but can’t be ignored
Clearly a cultural staple of southern rap, it’s got some phenomenal tracks. It’s a little long (as with a lot of rap albums from the late 90s), and some of the material doesn’t age well, but it’s a classic.
Outkast were one of the coolest hip hop groups out there and "Stankonia" was their breakthrough album. They really took their time with this one and allowed the ideas to develop and diversify. There's a very eclectic mix of styles here, including electronic music, rock and gospel, but it's firmly held together by hip hop. Outkast were also trailblazers in the Southern hip hop movement. Before this, most big names in the genre would have been localized to New York and California, the two coasts that dominated hip hop and famously opposed one another. On top of all that, Outkast stood out for having more progressive attitudues about women than many of their contemporaries. Women in these songs are mothers, daughters, and partners to be valued. They're also sometimes victims of systematic sexism and Outkast calls on us to be allies. And through all of the social messages, experimentation, and representation of their region, the music is also just fun and catchy. Although they weren't at the level of "Hey Ya!" just yet, it's easy to catch yourself singing along to songs like "Ms Jackson" and "So Fresh, So Clean".
Saved 7/24 songs to the playlist. First time really listening to OutKast outside of the more popular songs they’re known for. Really good listen.
Listened to on 1/20/25. I enjoyed this album a lot with very good songs such as 'B.O.B", "Ms. Jackson", "Toilet Tisha", 'So Fresh, So Clean" and "Spaghetti Junction". Outkast's energy and lyrics are highlights of this album, the energy they carry is great. What brings this album down is the interludes which are boring, among that, the one song that I did not like was Snappin' & Trappin' which felt offbeat and clunky. Otherwise, I enjoyed this album a lot, i would rate it a 4/5.
solid album
Classic.
There are some real bangers on this album. Can't believe its 25 years old.
WE BOUNCING. Honestly it was a pretty good album, got me boppin in the morning
I was afraid it was gonna be another album ruined by skits like the Notorious B.I.G., but thankfully the interludes weren't that distracting here. Its very refreshing to hear OutKast just spitting bars here and actually rapping, their 2 big hits feel more like RnB. Favorite songs here are Gasoline Dreams, B.O.B. and Xplosion, where they do just that. The runtime is a bit long but a good album nonetheless.
4+
Theoretically OutKasts best album. Has some great songs, I would say it’s decent overall.
Obviously I remember the songs here. Mrs Jackson and my classic Spanish rendition - but I've never listened to the whole album. Glad it was served up to me.
Honestly wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. I was a bit worried about the runtime, but Stankonia managed to stay consistently good all throughout its a bit bloated 73 minutes. That being said, although I liked pretty much every track, there wasn't a single truly impressive one (apart from maybe B.O.B.). Also, unnecessary interludes are unnecessary.
This isn’t my favorite OutKast album but it is still an incredible, undeniable monster of a record. “Bombs Over Baghdad” is one of my all time favorite songs. It was also cool living through the time when this album absolutely owned popular culture. And it couldn’t have happened to two more talented performers. OutKast is as good as hip-hop gets and amongst the best of pop music generally. This album is funny, smart, catchy; basically everything you could want out of a record. This would get full marks from me if it was a single album rather than a double.
A bit of a tiring one to listen to with 75 minutes and several interludes, but it is definitely a good album.
Energetic and creative Always liked ms Jackson, but never listened to the whole album before. B.O.B is 🔥🔥🔥
Classic album. This put Atlanta on the map. Andre 3000 is one of the greatest rap artists of all time. People sleep on Big Boi a bit too. He's not Andre, but they were a solid duo. It was so different when it came out, and it's still different than anything else out there now.
84% Best: So Fresh, So Clean; Ms. Jackson; Spaghetti Junction; B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad; Humble Mumble Must-Hear? Sure
"We're bouncing". Mycket omväxlande men på ett bra sätt! Många riktigt bra features på detta album! Hade faktiskt glömt hur bra det här albumet är bortom Ms. Jackson. 4/5 toasters.
OutKast is never a dull moment. BOB is such an amazing song and one which I have a ton of memories on. However, all their albums can be a little uneven at times and their whimsical side sometimes grates on me. 3.5/5
only two good songs, but still fun to listen too
4/5 Gasoline Dreams has quite an annoying quality to it, but thankfully it is immediately followed by the big singles So Fresh, So Clean and Ms. Jackson, the first of which is so smooth, well-produced and well structured. Then of course Ms. Jackson with its weird reverse sounds and amazing hook bangs. It becomes clear Big Boi and Andre are two exceptional rappers who are at the peak of their powers. Then somehow we're plunged back into shit with Snappin' & Trappin'. It's like a joke song, so goofy and awkward. Then 180, another class banger in Spaghetti Junction, followed by the funky, enjoyable I'll Call B4 I Cum. What is going on? The beginning of this album is less consistent than my sleep schedule. The incomparable Bombs Over Baghdad is next, and the urgency, the chaotic energy is so enticing. Just a brilliantly structured track. Xplosion is great, We Luv Deez Hoez is good, and Humble Mumble is fantastic, boring, and annoying at different moments in its 5 minutes. ? is mostly just annoying though for its whole minute. Red Velvet is intriguing, but doesn't really deliver, and Gangsta Sh*t is not very good. I wanted more Cruisin' In The ATL tbh. Toilet Tisha is an exceptional song, and I love the storytelling and the production in equal amounts. Absolute gem hidden in the back end. Slum Beautiful is alright, if not very memorable and then Stankonia (Stanklove) to finish is a slow, massive number which works well as a closer. In conclusion, this album has incredible highs and a few low lows. The interludes are fine, and the rapping and production are uniquely brilliant at times. I do think a scalpel is needed to remove the garbage, and create something exceptional. Gasoline Dreams 2/5 So Fresh, So Clean 5/5 Ms. Jackson 5/5 (FAV) Snappin' & Trappin' 1.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Spaghetti Junction 5/5 I'll Call B4 I Cum 4.5/5 B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad 5/5 Xplosion 4/5 We Luv Deez Hoez 3.5/5 Humble Mumble 3/5 ? 2/5 Red Velvet 4/5 Gangsta Sh*t 2.5/5 Toilet Tisha 5/5 Slum Beautiful 3/5 Stankonia (Stanklove) 4.5/5
A really great hip hop album. Banger after banger. Wonderful stuff. B.O.B will forever be one of my favourite bops at the gym.
So Fresh So Clean into Ms. Jackson. huge high point in hip hop. Snappin' & Trappin' is really crazy with its samples. B.O.B. kills. We Luv Deez Hoez is also really good.
a bit long
Pretty good album.
I had this album in 5th grade. I had no business as a white suburban Midwest kid with this album in 5th grade. It blew my mind. I loved B.O.B. I didn’t know why but I knew the album was cool. There are the undeniable hits of Ms. Jackson and So Fresh So Clean. They pulled you in then smacked me in the face with tales of Atlanta stunting. I didn’t understand any of it. After three amazing left turns two very different dudes from Atlanta continued to crush it. Stunting on every style and refusing to be boxed in. The album is hip, fun, street, intelligent, and sexy. Almost perfect, but not quite. Too damn long!!
Solid effort
Really good. A bit long and repetitive
how many interludes do you think it took for the recording academy to decide stankonia wasn't getting album of the year this record is almost too much of a good thing at times, but "b.o.b." is a 6-star song if i've ever heard one
Didn’t catch all of the standouts because I was working. Good vibe overall, but I didn’t enjoy the new stuff as much as what I already knew. Standouts: So Fresh, So Clean, Ms. Jackson, and B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad.
If I were rating this 30 years ago, it would have been 5 stars, but age has a way of changing you...
Absolute classic
Second one of these I own a physical copy of. Though like the Neil Young album, partial credit this time to my wife. It’s not often she makes a pick at the record store. I love the hits, but deep cut Outcast, for me, isn’t as great as other early 00’s rappers like Nelly, Ludacris, or Talib. Still a solid 4 ⭐️ for BOB, So Fresh So Clean, and Ms Jackson. Dig the song with Erykah Badu too.
So much influences for a single album and all mixed perfectly together. Production is peak as well as lyrics. Maybe too long because some song were a little weak 9/10
Really good especially liked Bob 4/5
There is an underlying Prince influence in this and the last album that take it over the top and make their sound really unique and stand out. On this album I really like the rock elements. It's not as consistent as the last album, and I don't know why they have so many interludes. A
Now we're talking, absolutely monster hip-hop album. The skits/interludes do grate on me a little but not as much as a lot of others. Andre 3000 is probably my favorite MC of all time, and his flow shines all over this one. B.O.B., Ms. Jackson, So Fresh So Clean, the hits just keep coming.
Gasoline goes so hard and Ms Jackson is iconic. The rest is good but there’s too much of it. Need an Andre rap album. High 4.
Stankonia is the best hip hop can offer from one of the best groups to ever do it. The key to its enduring listenability is based in its strangeness at times. Like most great hip hop, and the funk legends that influence the genre, it's that Clinton-cum-Prince esque freakiness that is cooler than the other side of the pillow.
skits really hinder this. could i write poetry to this? y
Tough call because OutKast is a favorite and this is one of their best albums. But the back half loses steam and the flow gets broken up by the skits. More like a 4.5.
Gasoline, Fresh & Clean, and Ms Jackson are all amazing songs. Bombs Over Baghdad is probably one of the best songs ever recorded. Can't give it a five because of all the filler though.
4 stars
Very good album. I remember listening to this in the lab at college, it was very popular. Some of my classmates were making an mp3 player (it was a long time ago) and they played this album over and over, it never got old. I still like it a lot, it has great beats any lyrics. They are very skilled rappers with great flow, what's not to like?
I will make this short: one of the very few records of the genre I actually like and love and repeatedly listen to. It still is from a place culturally very remote, but it gives me the idea of hat I actually might have a chance to understand. Musically, this is anyhow top notch.
It’s a classic obviously! Favorite track: Spaghetti Junction
Hadn’t listened front to back since it came out. Listening again, it one of my favorite rap albums of all time…. Still a 4!
Echt super nice, heel de dag naar zo'n muziek geluisterd
How have I never listened to this album before?! I'm very familiar with the singles from OutKast, but for some reason I've never checked out any of their albums and now I just feel silly. Really good stuff here. 4.4
Very fine.
To properly carry on the legacy of George Clinton, as this albums opening track implies, artists can’t just be weird for weird’s sake. There also needs to be elements of creativity and purpose to the work. These guys are the proper heirs to that legacy.
Pretty good overall. 3.5* rounding up based purely on how much I love B.O.B.
Another repeat
André 3000 is as talented a musician as the other greats on this list. Hard to follow ATLiens (their best IMO, and hopefully on this list) but it’s solid. BOB, Ms. Jackson, So Fresh & So Clean, Gasoline Dreams, Snappin & Trappin w/ Killer Mike, yeah.
Let the record show I like Outkast. Going 4 because of 3 exceptionally good songs... but there are 24 tracks. Feel a bit nit-picky because this is in theory everything I should want in a band... interesting music, lyrics, funny, spanning genres, certified hits. BUTTTTTT I wish they would have been a littleee more focused. They eliminated a lot of constraints which led to some great music, but some of these tracks could have been a lot better. Still a lot of the old school 5 second loops with some dressing on top. I feel like Andre was super into Prince, Hendrix and George Clinton, mixed that with Atlanta rap and made that his personality. It is cool how commercially successful this was, looking back this is dramatically different and endlessly more interesting than the popular songs in 2000. Glanced and names like Destiny's Child, Matchbox 20, Train stood out (all due respect). The song ATLiens is worth listening to if you're still in an Outkast mood.
I didn’t grow up on this album, and I kind of associate OutKast most closely with the cheesefest of Hey Ya. I don’t have very established tastes when it comes to rap. I like flow that sounds super rhythmic, fun hooks, real instruments or sampling that sounds like music, and I think duos in rap are pretty fun too, especially when they compliment each other with this kind of a tenor and bass timbre. Checking a lot of boxes here. Songs I hadn’t really heard before that were fun: Gasoline, Humble Mumble, Hoes. Could totally see a higher rating, but it was like 20 minutes too long. I also wouldn’t push back that hard on a lower rating from someone who actually knows what they like in hip hop. A real tsunami of lyrics this week with Leonard Cohen and now OutKast.
Really enjoyed this one took me back to my youth andre 3000 and big boi are pretty underrated as rappers in my eyes
Solid dirty south hip hop
This is the type of album I stick around on this website for
Because of how much I love the album Aquemini (10/5 album for me), I have tried many times to enjoy Stankonia to the same degree, but it always loses me. It has some fantastic tracks on it for sure, but as a whole it doesn't stay as consistent, and it's just too damn long. 3.5/5
Favorite Tracks: So Fresh, So Clean, Ms. Jackson, B.O.B.. Fun album - great lyrics and production. I don't really care for the skits, but they don't get in the way too much as the album goes on. Very enjoyable overall.
Big OutKast fan. This isn’t my fave album of theirs but I get why it’s on the list. Some serious bangers.
This is ambitious, well-performed and the production sounds fresher than a lot of more recent albums. It's not even close to being my kinda thing aesthetically, but I respect the accomplishment.
I was a bit nervous about this one but it deserves the accolades. A hip hop album of substance and texture. Not the perfect article but definitely stands out in that genre.
already heard, some great hits, kinda weird early digital instrumentals, but does sometimes work (BOB). rapping is soo good from both members, genuinely some of the best of all time. but boring/long instrumentals/choruses are the main limiting factor. favorite songs: Ms. Jackson, so fresh so clean, bombs over Baghdad, Gangsta shit. Definitely potential for change, but probably like this slightly less than Aquemini. overall around 8/10
That's not my taste in musik. But some cool songs
I very much enjoyed my time with the album. It’s far from perfect, but there are some songs on here that I discovered that are fantastic. This was a great car ride album, vibes were great throughout. 4/5
A hip hop classic
Pidin aika hyvänä räppi albumina jossa kivanlainen suondi!
Meget tæt på en 5’er, særligt fordi jeg har den mistænkt for at være den eneste på listen fra Outkast… den er virkelig stærk fra start til slut. Big Boi og Andre 3K er begge nogle af de bedste nogensinde, og der er så mange vilde beats og features på
Awesome album, great songs. Love what both Big Boi and Andre 3000 brings to the table
Really quite an excellent album. Bold and beautiful, iconic and withstanding.
often brilliant... not sure it's life changing for me, but I enjoyed it a great deal!
Weirdly I’d never bothered listening to this album before, despite rating Outkast highly and enjoying most anything that André 3000 and Big Boi put their names to (including Ms. Jackson, naturally). Weirder still, for the first few tunes, I wasn’t really feeling it. Then about a third of the way through - or certainly by the time B.O.B. assaulted my senses - it all started to click, and I remembered everything I love about these guys. Track after track of funky, experimental hip-hop with hooks for days, oozing with personality and a sense of fun. Oh, and I was wrong about the first few tunes, too. 4.5
Some classic classic OutKast on this album. Actually ashamed to say I have only ever listened to the most popular singles from this album but this was a great body of work by OutKast. Sometimes it felt slightly chaotic but I think that was intentional - having listened to the whole album, Ms Jackson and Fresh and Clean, do feel slightly misplaced on Stankonia but I think that's what adds to the chaos and charm of the album. Really enjoyed it!
I'm not keen on the general rap album archetype of the time with loads of interludes and skits, but when this is good it's so good
Pleasantly surprised to be honest
Not my favourite work from Andre 3000 but probably the best Outkast album. Fav tracks are Humble and Bombs Over Baghdad (and MS Jackson ofc)
Brilliant album not always may genre of music but the experimental sides of the record scratched my interest
What an album to get on a Monday morning. I’ve always loved it and was happy to blast it.
Pretty good. Nice variety and good samples. I like it.
Their second-best album. Fire!
I dont like hiphop. I liked this
Shit this is good. Just a fun record - a few moments of misogyny, but not nearly as prevalent as some of the Gangsta Rap on this list.
A great rap/hip hop album with a lot of different feels, good hooks, and good production
I loved it. I think this could be a five but I'm going to need to give it a few more listens. Pop, hip hop and rap all there working together beautifully.
The hits just keep coming. I’ve been waiting for this one! I was excited to see what new things I'd find on here beyond some of the ones I already know like So Fresh, So Clean, Ms Jackson, I'll Call B4 I Cum and BOB. Turned out most of the other songs were skits and a few others I wasn't a huge fan of but I did also keep Humble Mumble mostly because I love Erykah. I think I would still put Speakerboxx/Love Below above this album, but its great none the less.
Oh My Gosh. I literally LOVE this album. No one can deny that OutKast are so genius when it comes to their lyrics, sampling and overall sequencing of the album - this never ceases to amaze me and it makes me want to be like a gangsta rapper or something
The vibes on this album are off the charts. 4.1 stars
so fresh and so clean
7/10. Some great songs. But some meh also.
It’s refreshing to listen to a rap album that celebrates women instead of objectifying them.
Det här gillar jag. Ms Jackson är såklart en solklar 5a. Men Gasoline Dreams, SoFresh, So Clean och Spaghetti Junction är också riktigt bra Finns flera bra. Kan tröttna på hip hop men det här tröttnade jag inte på.
Överlag väldigt bra.. men det är lite för många låtar som jag inte klickar med. Ms Jackson är ju ett mästerverk till sång. Aningen sönderspelad.
The mixing of the vocals is quite high compared to the instrumentals, but it bothered me less as I listened through. Great instumentals, amazing production, shame that it gets lost a little bit under the louder vocals. They are diverse, covering many influences, using a lot of styles and instruments. Great stereo separation, not much dr wise, but it's not really something you expect from this style Some songs are not really sticking out to me, but overall the package is alright. Like the interludes, makes the album flow more naturally. Great flow, like the delivery. Really like the lyrics, they are original and combine nicely on the verses. Favorite track: Ms. Jackson
Pretty fun album overall. I do like the inclusion of Erykah Badu. There's lots of influence of her music in this album, which I do like. Funky beats with good hooks. A bit too much talking for me though. All in all, not a bad listen. Definitely has a lot of their character throughout.
Not something I’d normally listen to and not sure it’s a repeat listen for me. But I enjoyed this more than I expected to and understand why it’s on this list!
Banger in high school, banger still today.
JA TAK 🤩 Alt for lang tid siden jeg har hørt det her album. Foretrækker Aquemini, men er stadig glad for (meget af) Stankonia også. Synes det er for langt, men her er nogle legendariske sange. 4/5
Some absolute hits on this one. Easy 4/5
I think this is a three, plus a bonus star for being the first album I have reviewed in ages that's not boomer fuel. Many great tracks, fun skits. Get you some. Four stars.
Some really good songs, some that were a lil boring, a lot alot alot of sexual references as well as cudd words and the n-word which makes it a little awkward for me to listen to since I’m white lol
B.O.B is one the greatest songs of all time.
Two artists on top of their game, but the album itself is too bloated
Some songs are peak, a lil horny/funny
The only time I've ever voluntarily listened to so fresh and so clean and I was miserable, aside from that I thought it was a mix of tracks ranging from alright to great. Genuinely unique and innovative on some of these and really simple and catchy on others. Wouldn't go as far as to say that this was a phenomenal album but I could see an argument for great. While I'm just resting at good. Definitely deserves to be on the list especially with the massive cultural legacy and impact Outkast has had. 7/10 Fav tracks - gasoline dreams, Ms Jackson, Snappin and Trappin, I'll call B4 I cum, B.O.B, Xplosion, We Luv deez Hoez, Humble Mumble, Red Velvet, Slumbers Velvet Least Fav - so fresh and so clean
The production on this album is unreal, pretty frontloaded though. The music is dynamic throughout, switching styles and the second half of this is less memorable and slows down quite a bit. The interludes on the album vary from funny to kind of annoying. Overall this album fucks and the slow down in the second half is not necessarily a bad thing, I think if it maintained the energy at the peak of Bombs Over Baghdad this would have honestly been a bit too full on. The hits here are phenomenal (with the exception of So Fresh, So Clean, I have never liked that song and I can't explain why) and the rest of the album is competently made and entertaining. Favourite tracks from this were Gasoline Dreams and Bombs Over Baghdad. Also watching the music videos from this album on MTV a lot probably did a lot of things to my developing 6 year old brain.
Absolutely amazing album
For an album with such critical acclaim, this was rather disappointing. The first half was nothing more than the hits for me, then the back half redeeemed it with some interesting more experimental instrumentations and even some decent skits. Fave Tracks: So Fresh So Clean, Ms Jackson, B.o.B., Humble Mumble, Toilet Tisha 3.6/5
mUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN i EXPECTED.
Really fun
Enjoying it thoroughly! Although I can’t really relate to some of the subject matter it’s fun and different and each song has a diff vibe and story but an over arching thene that connects
Certified. Legendary. Status. It really doesn't get much better than this. It's innovative and creative and manages to alternate between fun and meaningful without giving the listener whiplash. "Stankonia" is a timeless classic and the best of OutKast, Atlanta rap, Southern rap, and a great of overall hip-hop. 4+⭐️
Classic
Solid album. An all-time classic hip-hop album. The length of some songs partnered with their repetition sometimes got old, but great nonetheless.
most likely not my favorite outkast project. the higs are incredible, and there are no low lows, but it isnt one id come back to as a project anytime soon. outkast is one of those musical projects that deserves to be on this list, and if anything i feel that they and the type of rap they represent is underrepresented overall. i really liked it, but it doesnt crack my favorite favorites.
Good album - reminds me of early 2000's/Jack.
Not really my thing but not too bad for what it is. Creative.
This has So Fresh, So Clean and Bombs over Baghdad. This was cute. I prefer the other OutKast album on the list, but this is very good. Too many dicks and hos. But otherwise good.
brabo
Great album. Ahead of its time
A great album from the iconic duo. While it's not my personal favorite from Outkast, it's not the worst. And in a discography of album entirely classics, even the less-good ones are still great.
Rap classic
A great Outkast lp, not (to me) one of their top tier but most commercially successful with the 3 big hits. Too many skits just like most hip hop unfortunately & seems to me you can see the cracks forming here....Still added 7 tracks to 1001 Playlist Experience and it was fun to revisit with my wife.
De hits zijn totaal niet representatief. Vooral Ms. Jackson kunnen we toch wel creatief noemen. De rest van het album valt iets minder op. Het is meer gericht op wat meer klassieke rap-klanken. Al biedt het zeker wat variatie. Dat laatste ook mede door de gasten. Even Cypress Hill tussendoor is toch prettig. Het is lang een vrij toegankelijk rap-plaatje, dat ik met plezier twee keer heb geluisterd. Maar ergens richting het einde waren ze wel leeg. Het wordt dan wat suf. De inspiratie was op, lijkt het.
intro megga horne gasoline dreams huuuuere geeeil sie rüefed ide gegend ume denn reimeds wie blöööööd. so fresh so clean isch en anti droge song? beat isch seeeehr geil. oke s isch en horny song. de interlude isch anti drige gsi. jetz hends gad e anne frank line gedroppt? ms jackson baaanger. wiso im hintergrund sochli verstimmte hochziitsmarsch? snappin' and trappin' goht richtig dancehall am schluss recht geil. spaghetti junction au eaaasy geil. haha kim and cookie goht um en guy wo z früe chunt. minute man. ill call b4 i cum isch wieder easy horne. B.O.B. huuuere harde beat huere aggro geeeil. yeeeees good shit we luv deez hoez? hm. hahaha seiter ok. humble mumble het erykah badu power dasch cool find huere geill dass noch jedem interlude "BREAK" seged. beats sind immerno huuere geil. red velvet isch so biitz nervig. immerno cool aber nöd meega. gangsta shit mösti glaub nomel gnau lose zums voll checke. glaub? vlt ischs au nöd esooo deep toilet tisha schleppt mer etz chli z viel, de bass isch geil aber s isch chli lang stankonia isch de type neosoul woni nöd soo geil find. guuuets guets album. ich find alles pber e stund eigentlich immer z lang. das isch z lang. interludes sind zum teil funny zum teil weissi nöd wie heeeert sexistisch dases sind. beats sind super de andré isch en rieeeese rapper de big boi isch au huere guet. hooks sind super, richtig guets album. viiiaaaaaaaar.
bin nöd so ready für stöhne am morge hahahah was füren obnoxious ahfang aber gasoline cookt na, sehr high energy so fresh so clean riese banger und gad im ahschluss ms. jackson OEFF HAHAHAHA ICH HASS DE SYNTHI BI SNAPPING & TRAPPIN find d lieder bis jz huuere vilsitig hahaha danke für I call b4 I cum sber au so lofi mässig funktionierts poaaah riese switch zu b.o.b. han nöd gwüsst dass sie so vill funy synthi hend find de text chli unagnehm aber de refrain vo we luv deez hoez uhuere catchy humble mumble riese beaat riiese song?? gangsta shit riese beat sheeesh relativ moderne beat iwie? stankonia nomal insane also das album isch so vilsitig aber doch immer ufem glich guete level, sehr es starchs 4i
The album is cool, sleek and quirky which I don’t think is an easy feat. Masterful genre/sound blending. My stand outs were “So Fresh,So Clean”, “Ms.Jackson” (of course), “B.O.B”.
Some brilliant music. 4.
Ms. Jackson might be one of my favourite hip hop songs ever, but that is mostly thanks to Outkast style, quite unusual in the rap world. Beats are just too good, Andre3000 singing voice is great, pretty good album overall. Some songs are quite rough to listen to after almost 25 years, but the majority holds strong. In my opinion it's only a second best Outkast album.
Several very good songs. Flow is on-point. Could do without so many interstitial things, but eh.
I wish there was a skit free option for hip hop albums. Anyway. This albums really good. It’s a little more coherent than Speakerboxx which was that albums biggest problem. It also blends the strengths of both artists. Ms. Jackson is the best example of this which is just a masterpiece.
The OutKast album that has most of the immediate hits and bangers, but drags just a little too long in comparison with the others.
Not the best album by the great rap duo from Atlanta, but sonically unique, bold and experimental.
Wow, OutKast is more than “Hey Ya”?! ‘Stankonia’ is pretty okay, but it led me down the OutKast rabbit hole, music and videos, and I popped back out with a new group of songs to take along on my journey. The songs are wonderfully variable musically, and thematically and the videos are clearly done by a manic synesthete on acid, and they take the experience that is OutKast to a newer, even better place. OutKast is a beast that ate Robert Johnson and Grandmaster Flash and the Everly Brothers and nibbled on Isaac Hayes and Spike Jones and (weirdly) Flight of the Conchords (or more likely they nibbled on OutKast).
3.625
Great and iconic album. I feel like i think this album was in my memory a mmuch better album but its still great. ust not 5 Star great for me but still one of the big great Projects. 4.5/5.0
There are no other rappers like these guys. They put Atlanta hip hop on the map. Their first two albums got a ton of play from me in high school, but I honestly haven't listened to a complete album of theirs since the 3rd one. I definitely know the hits off this one, so I'm listening forward to hearing this on a continuous play through. The hit songs stand out, so good call making those the singles. The song with B-Real sounds exactly like a song with B-Real should sound. I'm a huge Cypress Hill fan, so that one is a favorite. This is a better produced and more mature album than the previous ones, but I still like the first two better. Either way, Big Boi and Andre are on a different planet from other hip hop artists.
ATL, represent! So many groups are from Seattle or L.A. or generally just East Coast or West Coast, but OutKast proudly represent Atlanta, and Atlanta welcomes the association with such a hip and ground-breaking group. I often speak of OutKast in the same breath as Tool. Their particular genre is not my normal go-to, but they are the innovators of their genre, stretching the limits of the game into new possibilities, and as such, they deserve a respectable listen. Throwing in skits and clever lyrics over a bangin' beat are present but nothing new, but their use of melody and creativity in style (in fashion and videos) and lyrical content demonstrate an ability to lead others in a new direction. They helped to usher in post-gangsta rap, redirecting rap's focus on violence as a cool factor. Gangsta rap fashion was an A-shirt (ahem, a "wife beater") over low-drooped pants that revealed one's boxers; OutKast preferred to be "So Fresh, So Clean" and next thing you know being sharply dressed was the newest flex. They throw in vocoders on "Toilet Tisha" and backward guitar loops on "Slum Beautiful." Not that they are entirely taking the high road; they still luv dem hoes, but they also care enough to make them cum first (or at least "spontaneously combust in unison"). Believe them, Ms. Jackson. They are fo' real.
This was an Xplosion! So Fresh, So Clean.
Only a few good ones
not my style but nice to hear
not as good as Aquemini but still very much worth the listen, my main issue is that this album is just too damn long, cut it in about 30 minutes and you got a 5/5 album - as it is though, 3.8/5
Blij dat ik dezen eens volledig geluisterd heb. Ik had het bijna 5 sterren gegeven, maar daarvoor is het net niet genoeg mijn ding. Wel veel te lang naar mijn goesting. 4.2*
Klassikkotavaraa, omaan makuun myös.
This is a banging album. Listened to it three times yesterday. Favourite tracks were "So Fresh, So Clean" and "Ms. Jackson"; also really liked the "Cruisin' in the ATL" interlude. A little bit overstuffed for me at 70+ mins (like I could've done without some of the, er, beginning noises) but overall this is a damn good album.
So nearly 5* but there were a few duds at the end. Best Song: Xplosion Worst Song: Toilet Tisha
Great album, of course everyone loves the hits like Ms Jackson, B.O.B., and So Fresh So Clean (my personal favorite), but some of the other songs are excellent as well. In particular Gasoline Dreams was a great way to start the album. I also enjoyed the variety and different styles used between songs.
hot damn 83/100
This here is what we call dad rap
I really like this album. It’s clever and complex, but more than anything it’s fun. Lots of good grooves and each song is unique. Ms. Jackson is such an earthworm. One critique is that the album is tad long for my 2024 ADHD. 4.0
should have listened to it all at once, maybe overdone with the interludes?
fun bops
This one is quite a bit different from the previous one that came up here eh? Obvious and dumb thing to say I guess. Very cool, more cohesive, still a bit long and a bit precious with the interludes, but what are ya gonna do.
I had never listened to any OutKast bar the radio hits, so I was pleasantly surprised by this. Some very good tracks and it just about scrapes a 4 for me.
I find it hard to grade outkast. I don't consider them a true favourite but do think they're inherently great. Smart guys. Full gamut from pop smash hits like Ms Jackson, to stank-ass Southern trap music (and even a cameo from a young Killer Mike). There a lot to chew on. Even skits and off cuts are way shaper than average.
Stanky
bellooooo vai a capire perchè mi sia piaciuto così tanto. la pecca è che è davvero lungo, ma per il resto ottimo lavoro
#262. This shit's a classic. Take out the skits and one or two songs and could be about perfect. 4/5: banger
Goð en ekki best
Mint
Good stuff.
I really like this album. A handful of bangers on here for sure. Will definitely listen again. Solid 4 but I think I still like ATLiens more than this one.
Incredible. Very fun album from every perspective imo. Has a nice range of influences on the production that keeps me interested and the wide array of features also hit the mark. Also, somewhat prescient timing for Bombs over Baghdad.
This is some of the funkiest hip hop. I'm glad these guys made on this list. I could do without all the interludes but that's just a sign of the times this was release in, I guess.
There's interesting music here. One of the better hip-hop I've heard so far but still not my cup-o-tea.
Bombs over Baghdad is a stone Cold banger. ms Jackson is good but I've heard it too much. Everything else here is ok, inventive, but I'm only really picking up my ears to the odd track. That's until the second half, which (aside from the crass and off-putting We Love Deez Hoes) is pretty much wall to wall excellent. '?' is exceptional as an almost throwaway idea.
Yes
I was familiar with the hits (Ms. Jackson, B.O.B, So Fresh So Clean) but I'd never listened to the whole thing, which was a bit longer than I would've liked. The duo's chemistry and delivery was great and fun to listen to, like on Spaghetti Junction. Some of the songs with features didn't hit the same though. Also We luv deez hoez reminded me of Laughin to the Bank by Chief Keef because of the hahaha. Above average 4. Edit -- I would say low 4. There are some bangers but some skips for sure.
Enjoyed most of the songs, but some got a little repetitive
Classic
Stankonia is an all-timer. Spaghetti Junction & B.O.B kick ass
As someone who has not listened to Hip-Hop that much, this album is amazing. I like the beats on songs like So Fresh, So Clean; and Ms. Jackson. I think this could have been a little tighter and been an insane 45 min album as some tracks I don't care for. The guitar solo on B.O.B. is psychedelic out of nowhere and it elevates the track so much.
Day164 - i like these foul-mouthed dudes the lyrics are fun and the beats are so good. honestly it has a hand full of really good songs. so fresh,so clean,ms. jackson and b.o.b stood out to me. put them in the rock and roll hall of fame
i've never listened to the full album front to back before (i know shame on me) but dang not including the interludes this has almost no skips, incredible album
A really solid album at its core that suffers from some bloat. I really love the drums, bass, and psychedelic elements. Andre 3k and Big Boi continue to be my favorite rap duo; providing a nice one-two punch of their own styles. This isn't as high up on my tier list for their discography, but it features some of their best individual tracks. I think a 3.75 is what I'd give it, rounding up to 4.
Really enjoyed this one.
Very funky! Better than both Speakerboxx and The Love Below obvi. Nice to hear Erykah Badu
They are either really horny or really angry and there’s no in between
Awesome instrumentals, a bit weird at times lyrically, overall it grew on me
Fun
-IM SORRY MS JACKSON.. I AM FOR REAL.. -Good classic hip hop feel with a lot of aggressive elements and different vocal styles being experimented with, kind of reminds me of Cypress Hill and Tyler at parts -I feel like they were able to fit so many different kinds of rap into this it’s cool -So Fresh So Clean, Ms. Jackson, BOB, and Spaghetti Junction are my favorites
4.5. Might need to go back and listen for a potential 5. Lyrics are great, beats are unique (funky guitar licks), just a truly unique rap record
### In-Depth Review of "Stankonia" by OutKast **Released:** October 31, 2000 **Label:** LaFace Records **Producers:** Organized Noize, Earthtone III (OutKast), Mr. DJ --- "Stankonia," the fourth studio album by OutKast, marked a pivotal moment in hip-hop history. Released at the turn of the millennium, the album showcased the duo's innovative approach to music, blending diverse genres and pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. This review delves into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of "Stankonia," highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Wordplay:** André 3000 and Big Boi are celebrated for their lyrical dexterity. The album is rich with inventive metaphors, clever puns, and profound social commentary. Tracks like "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)" feature rapid-fire delivery and complex rhyming patterns that demonstrate their technical prowess. 2. **Diverse Themes:** The lyrics explore a wide range of topics, from personal introspection and social issues to party anthems and love songs. "Ms. Jackson" addresses the complexities of broken relationships and the consequences of infidelity, while "Gasoline Dreams" critiques societal flaws and the American Dream. 3. **Character Narratives:** OutKast often adopts various personas and tells stories from different perspectives. This storytelling approach adds depth to the lyrics, making them more engaging and relatable. **Cons:** 1. **Abstractness:** At times, the abstract nature of the lyrics can be challenging for listeners to decipher. Some songs might require multiple listens to fully understand the underlying messages and themes. 2. **Explicit Content:** While the rawness and honesty of the lyrics are commendable, the explicit content and language may not appeal to all listeners. ### Music **Pros:** 1. **Genre-Blending:** "Stankonia" is a melting pot of musical styles, incorporating elements of funk, soul, rock, electronic, and gospel. This eclectic mix gives the album a unique sound that stands out in the hip-hop genre. 2. **Dynamic Beats:** The beats are innovative and varied, with each track offering a distinct sound. The high-energy, drum-and-bass-infused beat of "B.O.B." contrasts with the smooth, soulful vibes of "So Fresh, So Clean." 3. **Live Instrumentation:** The use of live instruments adds a rich, organic feel to the music. This approach enhances the overall listening experience, providing a warmth that is often lacking in purely digital productions. **Cons:** 1. **Cohesiveness:** The diversity of musical styles, while a strength, can also be a drawback. The album sometimes feels disjointed, with tracks that jump from one genre to another, potentially disrupting the flow. 2. **Experimental Risks:** Some of the experimental sounds and production choices may not resonate with all listeners. For instance, the chaotic, almost psychedelic production of "Humble Mumble" might be polarizing. ### Production **Pros:** 1. **High Production Quality:** The production on "Stankonia" is top-notch, with meticulous attention to detail. Each track is layered with complex soundscapes that enhance the listening experience. 2. **Innovative Techniques:** The album features groundbreaking production techniques, such as the use of rapid tempo changes in "B.O.B." and the incorporation of futuristic sound effects in "Snappin' & Trappin'." 3. **Collaborative Effort:** The involvement of multiple producers, including Organized Noize and Mr. DJ, brings a variety of perspectives and styles to the album. This collaborative effort enriches the overall production quality. **Cons:** 1. **Overproduction:** In some instances, the production might come across as overly complex or cluttered. Tracks like "Gasoline Dreams" and "?" could benefit from a more stripped-down approach. 2. **Inconsistent Sound Levels:** There are moments where the mixing and mastering could be more consistent. Certain tracks have noticeable differences in volume levels, which can be jarring. ### Themes **Pros:** 1. **Social Commentary:** "Stankonia" addresses a multitude of social issues, including race, politics, and societal expectations. Songs like "Gasoline Dreams" and "Red Velvet" provide sharp critiques of American society and culture. 2. **Personal Reflection:** The album delves into personal themes such as love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. "Ms. Jackson" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of a failed relationship, while "Toilet Tisha" tackles the sensitive topic of teenage pregnancy and suicide. 3. **Celebration of Southern Culture:** OutKast's Southern roots are evident throughout the album, celebrating the culture and sound of the South. This regional pride adds authenticity and depth to the themes. **Cons:** 1. **Fragmented Themes:** The wide array of themes can sometimes make the album feel scattered. There isn’t always a clear, overarching narrative tying the songs together, which might make it harder for some listeners to grasp the full thematic scope. 2. **Heavy Topics:** The exploration of heavy and complex topics might be overwhelming for some listeners. The album does not shy away from uncomfortable subjects, which could be challenging for casual listening. ### Influence **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Impact:** "Stankonia" has had a profound influence on the hip-hop genre and beyond. Its genre-blending approach paved the way for future artists to experiment with different musical styles. 2. **Mainstream Success:** The album achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and earning multiple Grammy Awards. This success helped bring Southern hip-hop into the mainstream spotlight. 3. **Cultural Milestone:** "Stankonia" is often cited as a cultural milestone, reflecting the turn-of-the-century zeitgeist. Its innovative sound and bold themes resonated with a wide audience, cementing OutKast's legacy in music history. **Cons:** 1. **High Expectations:** The album's success and influence set a high bar for OutKast's future projects. Some fans and critics might compare subsequent works to "Stankonia," leading to heightened expectations and potential disappointment. 2. **Polarizing Elements:** The experimental nature of the album means that not all listeners appreciated its innovative approach. Some fans of traditional hip-hop might find the genre-blending and eclectic sounds less appealing. ### Conclusion "Stankonia" by OutKast is a groundbreaking album that pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and music as a whole. Its innovative lyrics, diverse musical styles, high-quality production, and bold themes make it a standout project. However, its abstract lyrics, experimental sounds, and fragmented themes might not appeal to everyone. Despite these minor drawbacks, "Stankonia" remains a seminal work that has left an indelible mark on the music industry and continues to influence artists across genres.
Always enjoyable. Great stuff.
A true classic of early 2000s hip hop. So Fresh So Clean, Ms. Jackson... All time faves.
Many many classics but too long Album cover: A
banger
I'm listening to this four months late. I just finished listening to Speakerboxx as part of this adventure, so I am well positioned to compare the albums. I liked it a little less, but still really enjoyed it. There are a few songs that weren't great, but there were a lot of standout amazing songs. My favorites were "So Fresh, So Clean", "Mrs. Jackson", "B.O.B." and "We Luv Deez Hoez". The album has a few too many slow and kind of boring songs. They break it up a little from the funky high energy of the other songs, but I never found myself enjoying those breaks. I appreciated the socially conscious focus of the album. 8/10
4.5 Would be a 5 if not for the of the time but still ill advised skit trend between songs.
Bangers. Dodgy interludes.
Really enjoyed this, and did not expect to out of the singles. Not standard skin deep rap, lots going on here
Solid rap album with a few classic pop crossover tracks. Sorry Miss Jackson just takes me back to the days of New Labour, alcopops and feeling like the world was at my fingertips. Now I’m just an old dude, full of anxiety, wondering where it all went wrong. Maybe I’ll release a solo flute album.
Really good but a little bit too long.