Outkast haters are are almost as hard to find as Bob Marley haters.  Like my boy Hec said once, “Who doesn’t like Bob Marley, think about it…”  I’ll admit while Outkast was releasing their earliest work, my walkman was glued shut with my Wu-Tang tape inside.  But after constant influence from my big homie Evan Frey I began to take notice.  Then came Stankonia in 2000 which turned me, and I’m sure countless others, into true fans.  I recall first coming across the “Bombs Over Baghdad” video, it was unlike anything I had ever seen.  The group’s eccentric style made them standout in an always over saturated market and separated them from the rest.  Their ability to maintain such different identities yet stay strong as a group is what ultimately propelled them to their Hall of Fame status.

“Ain’t nobody dope as me.. I’m dressed so fresh, so clean.”

The catchiest tune on Stankonia‘s diverse soundscape is definitely the smooth “So Fresh, So Clean”, which features a sample from the renowned Joe Simon.  It’s hard to even tell if the sample is laid underneath the chorus, but there’s no doubt where Outkast got that funky vocal melody from.  The song was produced by long time collaborators Organized Noize, with Sleepy Brown on the hook.  The record was released as the third single and charted with moderate success… but still a defining moment for the duo. (K.Casey/P.Walsh)

Joe Simon – Before the Night is Over

Outkast – So Fresh, So Clean

via Et Musique Pour Tous

I remember the exact moment I stopped overlooking Rick Ross as an artist; I was watching an interview right before his third album Deeper Than Rap dropped, and near the end of the video I heard this infectious choir, and then Rozay started rapping as the video and song faded out… I needed to hear more.  I didn’t know at the time that I had gotten a preview of “Mafia Music”, The Inkredibles produced track that was the first single off the album.  The organs, the choir, guitar licks, the drums, and ultimately Ross’ flow was what sold me.  No hook, just bars.

Rick Ross – Mafia Music

It’s hard not to love vintage Outkast records.  Somehow each one had something in it that sounded brand new to the game.  Their styles were so diverse and fresh that it made their verses pop off the track, especially when they were rapping to a solid concept like in “Return of the G”.  Over the years, frequent false rumors about turmoil within the group has definitely brought out some Gangsta in these guys.

“Return of the gangsta thanks ta’ them niggas that get the wrong impression. Then the question is Big Boi what’s up with Andre? Is he in a cult? Is he on drugs? Is he gay? When y’all gon’ break up? When y’all gon’ wake up? Nigga I’m feelin better than ever what’s wrong with you? You get down!”

I always loved the drums on this record.  Such a simple arrangement, but that kick – hat – hat – snare slaps hard, and sets the tone for the Gangsta-ness.

Outkast- Return of the “G”

When Pimp C and Bun B started pushing their music around the bottom of the map, Southern hip hop was barely being heard in the rest of the country.  UGK not only contributed to the eventual growth of the South, but they put Texas rap on the radar of the mainstream with the Jay-Z collabo “Big Pimpin”.  One Day is a slept-on record off of their album Ridin’ Dirty built off of a super-soulful Isley Brothers sample. You know the rest — Rest In Peace Pimp C. UGK 4 Life.

UGK- One Day

First off, the Geto Boys album cover is one of the rawest ever. After a long night of drug abuse, member Bushwick Bill shot himself after his girlfriend refused to do so.  This photo was taken after he was brought to the hospital and was used for the album – insane.  On to the music… The Geto Boys are one of the most influential groups in rap history, and along with groups like UGK, put Southern hip-hop on the map.  The group changed members on more than one occasion, but found their most success with members Bushwick Bill, Willie D and Scarface (the real“King of the South”).  In 1992 they released their single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” which reached number one on the charts and cemented the Geto Boys place in hip-hop history. Packed with paranoia, violence, and hallucinations, the song features some of the haunting storytelling of which the Geto Boys became known for.

The song features a sample from Isaac Hayes’s “Hung Up On My Baby”, a track where Hayes shows off his arrangement and composing ability which made Black Moses one of the greatest musicians ever. Laced with Hayes’s alluring guitar riffs, the Geto Boys turned his gem into a classic of their own.  The sampled record contains so many ill loops, there is enough material to make 5 dope beats, at least.  The Geto Boys use the loop at 0:10 for the main sections of the verses, and then the loop at 0:29 for the hook, which contains a melody catchy enough to whistle along with.  I mean, who’s fucking with Isaac Hayes when it comes to providing samples for classic hip hop records… no one? (P.Walsh / K.Casey)

Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby

Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks On Me

via KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous

The amount of music that this man has put out in the last 2-3 years is amazing.  He has mastered his art-form, and now matches that level of skill with a relentless work ethic.  Ultimately, us as listeners and fans benefit.  It’s hard to keep track of when these non-album joints came out, but they are dope and worth listening to.  ”Brand New” is a minimal, but constantly changing beat, on which Weezy goes in extra hard.  ”Pussy, Money, Weed” is a Outkast sample (“Jazzy Belle”) that is given producer Jim Jonsin’s 808 treatment, and Weezy discussing three of his favorite things.  Who can argue that?  He’s acting brand new.  Speaking of brand new, shoutout one of my favorite people, Karla aka HustleGRL for designing Weezy’s new website WeezyThanxYou.com.

Lil Wayne – Brand New

Lil’ Wayne – Pussy, Money, Weed

Scram Jones’ roster of artists goes down south as well, with North Carolina raised rapper Billionz.  I got to spend time with the kid himself recently when he came through NY on a straight studio grind, and I have nothing but great things to say about Billionz, period.  Great energy and really talented. Watch him come up in a big way this year.  Looking forward to getting in the studio with him again. Here’s a track of his featuring Ricky Ruckus, “Fuck It.”

Billionz & Ricky Ruckus – Fuck It

I remember very clearly buying Aquemini when it came out in 1998, and being fascinated by the overall sonic nature of the album, which was unlike anything I had ever heard.  Andre and Big Boi were not the least bit afraid to take their music far beyond what was expected from their region, and pushing it into an almost futuristic place.  The instrumentation throughout Aquemini is fantastic, especially on “Spottieottiedogaliscious,” which features a variety of sounds, including the track’s defining moment; a catchy reggae style horn melody.  This seven minute song is as unique as it’s title, and it bumps as hard as it did when I first heard it over ten years ago.

Outkast – Spottieottiedogaliscious

So Lil’ Wayne’s incarceration got pushed back today until March 2nd.  I hope for all our sake that he does nothing but record from now until then, and something tells me that’s exactly what he will do. “Shooter” is a real cool record that was on Wayne’s fifth studio album The Carter II and Thicke’s second The Evolution of Robin Thicke. Mr. Carter goes in on the subject of southern rappers being viewed as lyrically too basic, and how he on the other hand is … a shooter, “Call me automatic Weezy bitch, I keep spittin’, pow!”  Wouldn’t mind hearing more records from these two.

Lil’ Wayne ft. Robin Thicke – Shooter

Here’s a semi-slept on Weezy track off of the EP The Leak, and also the Deluxe Edition bonus disc of Carter III.  I recall hearing this track when the Weezy mega-buzz was reaching an all time high, and the anticipation for the third installment of his Carter series was brewing.  It contains vocal samples from previous Wayne classics such as “Go DJ”, “Fireman”, and “Cash Money Millionares.”  To me, this song was the beginning of him going in on his verses as a true believer that he was the best rapper alive.

“Yes I’m the best, and no I ain’t positive I’m definite.  I know the game like I’m reffing it.”

Lil’ Wayne – I’m Me