Outkast

Artist Image: Outkast
Attribution
Image Credit: Joe Goldberg (Outkast at Area One, Summer 01), CC BY-SA 2.0

Biography

Outkast (stylized as OutKast) is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast. The group's original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-funk. Since then, however, funk, soul, rock, electronic music, spoken word poetry, jazz and blues elements have been added to the group's musical palette. After forming the group as high school students in 1992, Outkast released its debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994), which gained popularity after the single "Player's Ball" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. The duo released ATLiens in 1996, which displayed stylistic differences from the band's debut and featured outer space-inspired themes. The albums Aquemini (1998) and Stankonia (2000) further expanded Outkast's musical experimentation. In 2003, the duo released a double album entitled Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which featured the number one singles "Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move". The group starred in and created the soundtrack for the 2006 musical film Idlewild. Since 2007, Outkast has been on hiatus and both members have pursued solo careers, although the group moved to Epic Records in September 2011. The duo is one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all time, having received six Grammy Awards. Over 25 million copies have been sold of OutKast's eight releases: five studio albums, a greatest hits release, and the Grammy Award-winning (for Album of the Year) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album containing a solo album from each member. Along with their commercial success, OutKast has maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1991
Number of Albums 24
Record Label
Website
Wikipedia Outkast on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

Where did André 3K grow up?

Atlanta, Georgia

...nown by. His birthday is May 27, 1975, and he grew up primarily in Atlanta, Georgia . André 3K has been involved with 22 Grammy nominations, including ...
How many Grammy nominations has André 3K been involved with?

22

...he grew up primarily in Atlanta, Georgia. André 3K has been involved with 22 Grammy nominations, including six wins! He and Erykah Badu, a renowned R&...
What is the name of the Grammy winning album?

SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below

...together. They are most known for their Grammy winning album, SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below . This album is fascinating because André 3000 and Big Boi did...
OutKast's blend of gritty Southern soul, fluid raps, and lowslung funk epitomized what wing of hiphop's rising force during the mid to late '90s?

the Dirty South

...oduction crew epitomized the Atlanta wing of hiphop's rising force, the Dirty South , during the mid to late '90s. Along with Goodie Mob, OutKast took ...
What was Big Boi's name?

Antwan Patton

...es in addition to their commercial success. André Benjamin (Dré) and Antwan Patton (Big Boi) attended the same high school in the Atlanta borough of E...
André Benjamin and Antwan Patton attended the same high school in what Atlanta borough?

East Point

...ton (Big Boi) attended the same high school in the Atlanta borough of East Point , and several lyrical battles made each gain respect for the other's s...
What label did OutKast sign to after high school?

LaFace

...rs for TLC and Xscape. Signed to Antonio L.A. Reid and Babyface's local LaFace label just after high school, OutKast recorded and released Player's Ba...
What was the name of the hitmaker for TLC and Xscape?

Organized Noize Productions

...r the other's skills. They formed OutKast and were pursued by Organized Noize Productions , hitmakers for TLC and Xscape. Signed to Antonio L.A. Reid a...
What was the name of the song released by Outkast after high school?

Player's Ball

...l LaFace label just after high school, OutKast recorded and released Player's Ball , then watched the single rise to number one on the rap chart. It sl...
How long did Player'S Ball fall from the top spot on the rap chart?

six weeks

...o number one on the rap chart. It slipped from the top spot only after six weeks , was certified gold, and created a buzz for a fulllength release. Tha...
Which album hit the Top 20?

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

...d, and created a buzz for a fulllength release. That album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik , hit the Top 20 in 1994 and was certified platinum by the ...
When did Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik hit the Top 20?

1994

... release. That album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, hit the Top 20 in 1994 and was certified platinum by the end of the year. Dré and Big Boi also ...
Who won Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards?

Dré and Big Boi

...e Top 20 in 1994 and was certified platinum by the end of the year. Dré and Big Boi also won Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards....
In what year did Aquemini hit number two?

1998

...g Boi also won Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards. Aquemini followed in 1998 , also hitting number two and going double platinum....
What was the name of the artist who went double platinum in 1998?

Aquemini

...g Boi also won Best New Rap Group of the Year at the 1995 Source Awards. Aquemini followed in 1998, also hitting number two and going double platinum....
How many Grammy Awards has the duo received?

six

... is one of the most successful hiphop groups of all time, having received six Grammy Awards. Since then funk, soul, pop, electronic music, rock, spoke...
Who is André Andre 3000 Benjamin?

Atlanta native

...have been added to the group's musical palette. The duo consists of Atlanta native André Andre 3000 Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Georgiaborn A...
What was André Andre 3000 Benjamin formerly known as?

Dré

...o consists of Atlanta native André Andre 3000 Benjamin (formerly known as Dré ) and Georgiaborn Antwan Big Boi Patton. SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below is on...
How many brothers and six sisters did Patton have to move from Savannah to Atlanta?

four

...originality and artistic content. Meanwhile, Patton had to move with his four brothers and six sisters from Savannah to Atlanta. Benjamin and Patton e...
What was the name of the group that pursued Benjamin and Patton?

Organized Noize

...lanta. Benjamin and Patton eventually teamed up and were pursued by Organized Noize , a group of local producers who would later make hits for TLC. The...
What did the duo initially want to be called?

2 Shades Deep or The Misfits

...ter make hits for TLC. The duo initially wanted to be called 2 Shades Deep or The Misfits , but because those names were already taken they later decid...
When did OutKast sign with LaFace Records?

1992

... of the Dungeon Family organization. OutKast signed to LaFace Records in 1992 , becoming the label's first hip hop act and making their first appearanc...
The single Player's Ball reached what number on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart?

number one

... 1994, which gained popularity after the single Player's Ball reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. With successive releases inclu...
In what year did Outkast release ATLiens?

1996

...lboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. With successive releases including ATLiens ( 1996 ) and Aquemini (1998), the duo further developed their sound, experimenti...
On what date was Stankonia released?<extra_id_51> What was the name of the critically acclaimed single released by Outkasta?

October 31st, 2000

...ing with a variety of styles and achieving commercial success. On October 31st, 2000 , Outkast released the critically acclaimed Stankonia, which inclu...
Who certified the album SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below as Diamond?

Recording Industry Association of America

...r one singles Hey Ya! The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America ....
Who formed OutKast in 1992?

André 3000 and Big Boi

...The duo was formed in 1992 by rappers André 3000 and Big Boi . The group's original music style was a mixture of Dirty South and Gfunk, but they later ...
Where did the single Player's Ball reach on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart?

1

...ik in 1994, which gained popularity after the single Player's Ball reached 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. With successive releases including...
In what year did OutKast release a double album?

2003

... in 2000, OutKast continually experimented and developed their music. In 2003 , the duo released the double album SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below, which fea...
In what year did Stankonia introduce OutKast?

2000

... Dre Benjamin and Antwan Big Boi Patton. Upon its release in the fall of 2000 , Stankonia ushered OutKastthe Atlantabased duo of Andre Dre Benjamin (wh...
In what business do risktakers rarely reap the rewards of commercial success?

rap

...000) and Antwan Big Boi Pattoninto the center of the hiphop world. In the rap business, where risktakers rarely reap the rewards of commercial success...
What is B.O.B.?

Bombs Over Baghdad

...ewise praised Stankonia, featuring the quasipolitical hit B.O.B. ( Bombs Over Baghdad ), for its inventiveness and creativity, overwhelmingly calling it...
Where did Benjamin take filmmaking courses?

University of Southern California

...Education: Took filmmaking courses at the University of Southern California . Film appearances by Benjamin include: Hollywood Homicide, 2003; Be Cool, ...
What was the name of the film Benjamin appeared in in 2003?

Hollywood Homicide

...ity of Southern California. Film appearances by Benjamin include: Hollywood Homicide , 2003; Be Cool, 2004. Sidelights André 3000 Benjamin and Antwan B...
In what year did Benjamin appear in Be Cool?

2004

...Film appearances by Benjamin include: Hollywood Homicide, 2003; Be Cool, 2004 . Sidelights André 3000 Benjamin and Antwan Big Boi Patton make up OutKas...
What was the name of André 3000's infectious dance hit?

Hey Ya!

...elled by the overwhelming success of André 3000's infectious dance hit, Hey Ya! Every album is a risk, Benjamin told New York Times writer Lola Ogunna...
Who was the New York Times writer?

Lola Ogunnaike

... Hey Ya! Every album is a risk, Benjamin told New York Times writer Lola Ogunnaike . It's not like we make the easiest music to swallow. Benjamin and P...
When were Benjamin and Patton born?

1975

...make the easiest music to swallow. Benjamin and Patton were both born in 1975 , and would later name both a record release and their boutique label Aqu...
Which sign is Benjamin born in?

Gemini

...ation of their respective astrological signsBenjamin, born May 27, is a Gemini , while Patton's February 1 birthdate makes him an Aquarius. He was the ...
Who was born on February 1?

Patton

... 2003; Be Cool, 2004. Sidelights André 3000 Benjamin and Antwan Big Boi Patton make up OutKast, the Atlantabred duo whose exuberant style has reshaped...
What is Patton's birth date?

February 1

... astrological signsBenjamin, born May 27, is a Gemini, while Patton's February 1 birthdate makes him an Aquarius. He was the first of five children in...
Who was the son of a Marine Corps officer dad and a mother who worked as a retail supervisor?

Antwan Big Boi Patton

...c in high school OutKast met as high school students in Atlanta. Antwan Big Boi Patton was the same age, and the son of a Marine Corps officer dad and...
Where was TriCities High School located?

East Point, Georgia

...as a retail supervisor. Both enrolled at TriCities High School in East Point, Georgia , a school geared toward students hoping for a career in the perf...
Who began writing their own raps?

Benjamin and Patton

...ed, initially because of their unusually preppy clothing choices. Benjamin and Patton began writing their own raps, which they turned into mix tapes. ...
When did Benjamin and Patton graduate from high school?

1993

...e Shopping Mall in Atlanta in 1992. After graduating from high school in 1993 , Benjamin and Patton signed a record deal with Laface Records. In 1994, ...
What was the name of Outkast's second album?

ATLiens

...Best New Rap of the Year. In 1996, Outkast released their second album, ATLiens with the singles Elevators (Me &You), ATLiens, and Jazzy Belle. This a...
What award did the album win in 1995?

Source Award Best New Rap of the Year

...tinum, selling over a million units and winning the 1995 Source Award Best New Rap of the Year . In 1996, Outkast released their second album, ATLiens ...
What was the name of the rap group formed by Outkast?

2 Shades Deep

...lic, Sly and the Family Stone, and Prince), they formed a rap group, 2 Shades Deep . In 1994 Outkast released their first album, Southernplayalisticadi...
What was the name of Outkast's fourth album?

Stankonia

...e hit single B.O.B (Bombs over Baghdad), Outkasts fourth studio album, Stankonia (2000), was a huge crossover success. Jackson, and it placed at or ne...
What is the name given to the wardrobe of Dré?

André 3000

...ture, especially the increasingly flamboyant wardrobe of Dré (renamed André 3000 ), and their theatricality and stylish music videos became Outkast hal...
Which song was B.O.B?

Bombs over Baghdad

... videos became Outkast hallmarks. Backed by the hit single B.O.B ( Bombs over Baghdad ), Outkasts fourth studio album, Stankonia (2000), was a huge cros...
How many Grammy Awards did the album win?

three

...they each took the lead on one disc. The album topped the charts and won three Grammy Awards in 2004: album of the year, best rap album, and best urba...