Download Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik Album for Free - The Best Funky Rap Music of 1994
Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: A Classic Debut Album
Introduction
If you are a fan of hip hop, you have probably heard of Outkast, one of the most influential and successful duos in the genre's history. But do you know how they started their career and what their first album was like? In this article, we will explore Outkast's debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, which was released in 1994 and marked the beginning of their legendary journey. We will look at how they made the album, what it sounds like, and why it is considered a classic by many critics and fans.
Outkast, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik full album zip
Who are Outkast?
Outkast are an American hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of André 3000 (born André Benjamin) and Big Boi (born Antwan Patton). They met in 1992 at a shopping mall when they were both 16 years old and became friends through their mutual love of rap music. They decided to form a group and named themselves Outkast, meaning "outcasts" or "misfits". They signed with LaFace Records, a label founded by producers L.A. Reid and Babyface, who were known for their work with R&B artists such as TLC and Toni Braxton.
What is Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik?
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is Outkast's debut studio album, released on April 26, 1994. The title is a portmanteau of "southern", "playa", "listic", "cadillac" and "music", reflecting the album's themes and style. The album was mostly produced by Organized Noize, a production team composed of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, who were also part of the Dungeon Family collective that included Outkast and other Atlanta-based artists. The album features 17 tracks, including three singles: "Player's Ball", "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" and "Git Up, Git Out".
Why is it a classic album?
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is widely regarded as one of the best hip hop albums of all time and a landmark in Southern hip hop. It helped establish Outkast as one of the most innovative and versatile acts in the genre, as well as put Atlanta on the map as a major hip hop hub. The album showcases Outkast's distinctive blend of rap, funk, soul and jazz influences, as well as their lyrical skills, charisma and chemistry. The album also addresses various aspects of urban life, such as poverty, crime, racism, drugs and spirituality, from a Southern perspective. The album received critical acclaim from various publications, such as Rolling Stone, The Source and AllMusic, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1995.
The Making of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
How Outkast met and formed a duo
As mentioned earlier, Outkast met in 1992 at the Lenox Square shopping mall in Atlanta. They were both attending Tri-Cities High School at the time and had similar musical tastes. They started hanging out together and rapping over instrumental tracks they found on cassette tapes. They also joined a local rap group called Two Shades Deep, along with another rapper named Cee-Lo Green (who would later become famous as part of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley). However, they soon realized that they had more potential as a duo than as part of a group.
They changed their name to Outkast and started performing at local clubs and talent shows. They caught the attention of Rico Wade, one of the members of Organized Noize, who invited them to his basement studio known as The Dungeon. There, they met other aspiring rappers and singers who were part of the Dungeon Family collective. They also impressed L.A. Reid and Babyface, who signed them to LaFace Records in 1993.
How they worked with Organized Noize and LaFace Records
Outkast's debut album was largely produced by Organized Noize, who had previously worked with TLC on their hit song "Waterfalls". Organized Noize provided Outkast with live instrumentation and diverse musical influences that ranged from funk to gospel to rock. They also helped Outkast develop their own sound and identity that was different from other rap acts at the time.
LaFace Records gave Outkast creative freedom to make their album without much interference or pressure. However, they also faced some challenges from the label's marketing department, who did not know how to promote them to mainstream audiences. They were initially labeled as "alternative rap" or "hippie rap", which did not reflect their true style or appeal. They also had to deal with some skepticism from other rappers who did not respect them because they were from the South.
How they recorded the album in Atlanta studios
Outkast recorded most of their album in various studios in Atlanta between 1993 and 1994. They worked mainly at Bosstown Recording Studios (where TLC recorded CrazySexyCool), D.A.R.P Studios (owned by Dallas Austin), Doppler Studios (where Usher recorded his debut album), Purple Dragon Studios (where Goodie Mob recorded Soul Food) and The Dungeon (where Organized Noize made most of their beats). They also used some samples from other songs, such as Curtis Mayfield's "Pusherman" on "Crumblin' Erb" or Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep" on "Funky Ride".
The Music and Lyrics of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
How the album showcases Southern hip hop, funk and soul influences
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is one of the first albums that defined Southern hip hop as a distinct subgenre within rap music. It incorporates elements from various musical traditions that originated or flourished in the South, such as funk (especially Parliament-Funkadelic), soul (especially Curtis Mayfield), blues (especially Muddy Waters), gospel (especially Mahalia Jackson) and jazz (especially Miles Davis). It also features live instruments such as guitars (played by David Whild), bass (played by Preston Crump), keyboards (played by Sleepy Brown) drums (played by Omar Phillips) horns (played by Jerry Freeman) harmonica (played by Marlon Patton) flute (played by Kebbi Williams) violin (played by Colin Agnew) cello (played by Matt Albert) viola (played by Tania Maxwell Clements) saxophone (played by Jeff Smith) trumpet (played by Melvin Jones) trombone (played by Jason Freeman) tuba (played by Joe Smith).
The album has a warm, organic and funky sound that contrasts with the cold, synthetic and hard sound of many rap albums at the time. It also has a diverse range of tempos and moods that reflect different aspects of Southern culture and lifestyle. For example, the title track is an upbeat anthem that celebrates Southern pride and swagger; "Player's Ball" is a laid-back groove that depicts the annual Christmas party for pimps and hustlers; "Git Up, Git Out" is a motivational message that urges young people to pursue their dreams and avoid drugs and crime; "Funky Ride" is a sensual ballad that invites listeners
Q: When was Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik released? A: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was released on April 26, 1994 by LaFace Records.
Q: Who produced Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik? A: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was mostly produced by Organized Noize, a production team composed of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown. Outkast also co-produced some of the tracks.
Q: What are the singles from Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik? A: The singles from Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik are "Player's Ball", "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" and "Git Up, Git Out".
Q: How many copies did Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik sell? A: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik sold over one million copies in the US and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1995.
Q: What are some of the awards and accolades that Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik received? A: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik received critical acclaim from various publications and critics who praised its originality, creativity, lyricism, production, musicianship and cultural impact. It also won Best New Rap Group at The Source Awards in 1995 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at The Soul Train Music Awards in 1995. It also appeared on several lists of the best rap albums of all time by outlets such as Rolling Stone, The Source, AllMusic, Pitchfork and Complex.