Outkast is my favorite rap group of all time. And I don’t mean just among rap groups. I mean they are the best rappers. Andre 3000 would be my favorite individual rapper. Why is this? Why should you believe me? Well, because they are actual musical geniuses, something that most rappers don’t seem to understand. Let me illustrate several points, all of which intertwine to create musical legends:
1) Musical abilities: In many ways this arrives by practice and dedication to the art. But musical geniuses also seem to be a step ahead before they even begin to practice. Jimi Hendrix learned guitar as a child by tying a single string to a broom. I don’t think I could even teach myself on a regular guitar. Both Big Boi and Outkast are incredible not only at rapping, but also at producing entire songs, which is an art form in itself.
2) Individuality: The first step to becoming a musical legend that can survive the test of time is to have your own sound. Artists arrive at this by a combination of having a uniquely creative mind combined with a willingness to “play from the heart”, which takes a lot of guts considering the amount of haters in the world.
3) Diversity: A great artist makes a diverse array of music. Some songs make you want to dance, some make you want to cry, and some just make you want to put your headphones on, lie down, close your eyes, and listen carefully. Each of us experiences a diverse array of emotions and states of mind throughout our lives, it is just that these particular geniuses have the ability to express it all through music.
4) Catchiness: I don’t know if this is the right term, but a great artist understands what sounds good. They know which rhythms and notes will flow together to create the most eargasmic experience possible.
I’m not saying Lil Wayne or Eminem can’t rap, but everytime I hear a new Wayne song it sounds exactly the same as the last. Eminem’s flow is incredible but he only makes songs that are either angry or else annoyingly playful. Chill out dude, smoke some weed. Big Boi and Andre 3000 are artists, not just rappers. I hope these songs illustrate why Outkast wins in my book:
SpottieOttieDopaliscious by OUTKAST
Ms. Jackson [Explicit] by OUTKAST
Ms. Jackson [Explicit] by OUTKAST
Happy Valentine’s Day by OUTKAST
Playa’s Ball (Original) by OUTKAST
Jazzy Belle [Explicit] by OUTKAST
Rosa Parks [Explicit] by OUTKAST
