On Halloween day 23 years ago, André 3000 declared, “Ain’t nobody dope as me” on the hit hip-hop album, “Stankonia.” The experimental sounds and recognizable beats on this record still reverberate today, so here is a revisiting review of the ground-breaking creation from the Atlanta-based hip-hop group, OutKast.
“Stankonia” begins with an intro track titled, in an appropriate manner, “Intro,” which displays experimental and psychedelic noises. This intro set me into the experience of the album, containing all kinds of new sounds paired with traditional hip-hop style.
A few of the earlier songs in the album caught my attention, and are already downloaded to my hip-hop playlist. “Gasoline Dreams” kicked off the actual music on the album well, with a rock ‘n’ roll influenced version of rap. But the next song on the album, “So Fresh, So Clean,” hit with a smooth beat and a high chorus. This classic track used pop culture allusions and imagery within its verses, holding my attention during my listening.
The song “Ms. Jackson,” I recognized in an instant, which is a populist rap track that speaks to everyday struggles for some Americans. Its beginning synth and piano with a repetitive beat made my head bob, and I had a hard time not singing along to the chorus while listening to it in the library. With lyrics based on a real relationship André 3000 went through, this tune about family issues and dysfunctional relationships has stood the test of time. This song, while early in the track listing, yielded one of the most pleasing listening experiences on the entire album for me, and brought a nostalgic feeling from when my mom would play it in the car.
On “B.O.B.” (Bombs Over Baghdad), another highlight of the album, Big Boi and André 3000 showcased some of their best rapping abilities. Their fast-paced lyrics and a quick rattling beat impressed me and had my car shaking. I also struggled to avoid singing along with the fast and loud chorus in this track.
Overall “Stankonia”, OutKast’s fourth studio album, succeeds as a hip-hop record. OutKast’s ability to appeal to the mainstream hip-hop market and mainstream American audience overall, while employing eccentric and experimental sounds in their music is a testament to their unique abilities. On a scale of 1-10, I would have to rate this outing from the Atlanta duo a solid 8.