#49 OutKast, 'Aquemini' (1998)
Previously #500
The album that started it all for me… on this journey, I mean. The very first record that I listened to when I started the original Rolling Stone 500 Albums challenge 8 years ago. I’m going to boldly say that this record will be the biggest jump. From last on the list to Top 50, that’s a pretty major feat. So is it deserving? Well, I enjoyed it more that ‘Stankonia,’ and ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ was always my favourite OutKast album. But it’s unfair to compare them as they’re completely different records.
On their third record, OutKast enjoyed more artistic freedom, thanks to the success of their first two. Andre 3000 had just entered into his much-documented relationship with Erykah Badu, who influenced his music and dress sense. The pair had a baby the year before this record, which also served as inspiration. Employing the use of organic instruments on this one, there was a revolving cast of musicians constantly moving in and out of the studio contributing at will. A lot of the music was born out of jam sessions. The record was experimental for the group at the time; they had created the music in a completely different way to previous releases. It paid off, though. It’s been hailed as one of the greatest records to come out of Southern USA. Big Boy and Andre 3000 are yin and yang; completely different personalities. Like sweet and sour, salt in chocolate, their divisive personalities and styles is what makes this so good. Lead single, Rosa Parks, while being a major jam, is actually a serious statement, a song about Civil Rights pioneer, Rose Parks. A song that is as relevant and important in 2021 as it was in 1998, or even would have been in 1956. Other highlights for me were ‘Skew It On The Bar-B (feat. Raekwon),’ ‘Synthesizer (feat. George Clinton),’ ‘West Savannah,’ ‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious’ and ‘Da Art Of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1).’ It’s a solid collection of music, and a major shake up in the list. This is the reason I decided to re-do the challenge. It’s a completely different list from last time.
#rs500albums