http://www.mtv.com/news/a...kast.jhtml

Outkast's Andre 3000 Gets Down With Norah Jones, Big Boi Takes Us To 'Church'
03.14.2003

If you're one of those Outkast fans who've been scratching their heads, questioning why you haven't seen Dre at most of the group's public appearances of late, it's because he's been in the studio trying to uphold his side of the bargain.

Andre 3000 is only about 80 percent done with his solo album, which is going to be included in the ATL's duo's double LP, Outkast Present … Big Boi and Dre. Now being scheduled for release around Memorial Day, the other half of the album is, of course, Big Boi's solo opus.

Of what he has finished, Dre has politicked collaborations from this year's Grammy golden girl Norah Jones and fellow newcomer Vivian Green. Meanwhile, Big Boi, who has been done with his record for weeks, has guest appearances from Jay-Z, the Dungeon Family, Twista and Killer Mike. Both Outkast partners will also have a couple of cameo spots on each other's albums. The group handled much of the production itself.

The first singles will be out within the next couple of weeks. Big Boi's song is called "Church" and Dre's cut is titled "Prototype."

According to the group's manager, Big Boi's "Church" bears an aural resemblance to the organ-driven "Ms. Jackson" and "Rosa Parks," while Dre's record has a style that's just as unpredictable as he is.

Always thinking about raising the bar, Outkast are planning to shoot a 30-minute mini movie with Brian Barber in the next couple of weeks in either L.A. or Phoenix. The film will include videos for both "Church" and "Prototype."

Meanwhile, Dre is also focusing on full-length feature flicks. He just finished work on the Harrison Ford action/comedy "Hollywood Homicide," and is gearing to wrap up production on the romantic drama "Love Hater" this summer.

After his stint in front of the camera, Dre plans to rejoin Big Boi for a tour.

—Shaheem Reid

More info on the album...

http://www.mtv.com/news/a...kast.jhtml

New Outkast LP 'Like Two-For-One Lap Dance Day'
01.17.2003

Outkast's latest protégé, Killer Mike, explained the hip-hop duo's upcoming project best. "It's like two-for-one lap dance day at your local gentleman's club," the titanic rapper said backstage at Monday's American Music Awards.

Due in late May, Speakerbox/Love Hater is a double album with disc one being a solo release from Big Boi and disc two a solo effort from Andre 3000.

"We both produce and we both do every little part of the music, so when you at home in your own kitchen or at Stankonia [studio], you're working at different vibes," Big Boi explained of the project, which he emphasized "has never been done before." "From a production standpoint, you get more done in a shorter amount of time."

Both discs will be treated like solo releases with separate singles and videos dropping simultaneously. Big Boi's first single is called "Church," while Dre's will be "Prototype."

The rappers will appear on each other's albums, along with a carnival of collaborators, including Jay-Z and Killer Mike on Big Boi's "Flip Flop Rock."

"It's just like any other Outkast album — we use extra spices and preservatives where we need them," Big Boi said. "The Dungeon Family is there, we also got Jay-Z, Bubba Sparxxx, Killer Mike, Bun B. from U.G.K."

While Dre's Love Hater will be somewhat of a concept album about relationships and will tie into a movie he plans to star in of the same name, Big Boi's Speakerbox will be more of a straight-up ode to classic hip-hop.

"We're taking it back to the essence of just beats, rhymes and straight funk," he said. "We're trying to make love to your earlobe through the speaker."

Big Boi and Dre recorded more than 40 tracks apiece, but each disc will be narrowed down to 14 tunes. "We still have like four albums of material that we're going to put out later in the year," Big Boi promised.

Meanwhile, Outkast will appear on several tracks on Killer Mike's debut, Monster, due March 11. The first single, "Action," is at radio and video outlets now and will be followed by "A.D.I.D.A.S.," which, like's Korn's song of the same name, is an acronym for "All Day I Dream About Sex."

Killer Mike, who appeared on Oukast's "The Whole World" single, is joined by Big Boi on "A.D.I.D.A.S." A video will be shot next month in Atlanta during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

"It's gonna be lots of ladies, lots of athletes, lots of sex, drugs, rap and roll," Mike said.

Outkast won Favorite Hip-hop/R&B Group at Monday's American Music Awards.

—Corey Moss

Can Vivian & Norah handle Outkast's rawness?? Boy, I can't wait 2 hear what its sound like.

LOL Dre reminds me alot of Prince.

Thanx 4 the 411 btw,,!
[This message was edited Sun Mar 16 3:35:20 PST 2003 by Harlepolis]

Good stuff, could use a new Outkast LP... the next must have on the horizon.

The question I have is will the albums be available seperately as well?

classic77 said:

No, it's always been a double CD to make sure Outkast fans support both at this stage. The success of their individual singles will decide whether they do fully separate efforts in the future I guess.

the rap game really needs a jolt right now and i think outkast will shock/rock the world as usual lol caint wait 2 hear what they got cookin in the stankonia kitchen

i'm anxious to hear what dre has in store.. don't care about big boi's release that much. dre is the talent in outkast imo. great characteristic voice..

Essence said:

I'm hoping that they remain together. They balance each other out quite well... Big Boi keepin Dre grounded, while Dre keeps Big Boi transcendant. It has proven to be quite a successful creative tension.

I've heard about this Double Set for like 2 Years now.what's up with the LA Reid Folks from LaFace talking about making 2 Sets in one? TLC was gonna do a Seperate 3 Disc Thing as well.anyway with Outkast anything has to be better than Corny Mess like "The WHole World"&that Weak "Scobby Doo" Track.this should be interesting even though I think they have Peaked IMHO.still dig there First Album best of all&the others were Good IMHO.the Greatest Hits was Good but was missing something for me.

mistermaxxx said:

LOL

How can they have peaked when dre 3000 is playing bass and guitar?

How can they have peaked when southern rap still runs the rap game?

The whole world was corny, um it was better than anything rkelly has produced since 12 play.

XLBubba said:

You wanna Mess with me ok? R,Kelly blows them Both away IMHO.SOuthern Rap was Uncle Luke&2Live Crew before Outkast,Scarface&Ghetto Boyz. anyway Outkast Can't touch the KING OF R&B IMHO.they Need R.Kelly to teach them how to Balance out there Music.please don't try to get into any argument with me because you aren't worth my time.

mistermaxxx said:

While I think "Stankonia" contained some of the strongest songs they have put out so far ("Red Velvet," "Toilet Tisha," "B.O.B.," "Ms. Jackson," etc.), I do think that "Aquemini" and "ATLiens" were both as whole LPs stronger in consistency.

Still I don't believe they have "peaked" at all. I'm looking forward to this release with great anticipation.

purpleone said:

I think Big Boi's disk is going to be the sleeper. I think he is going to suprise a lot of folks.

NuPwrSoul said:

I think they got a bit too Pop in spots.I feel that LA Reid has tugged at them a bit&they are kinda going that way IMHO.I think the Cats are Talented&something about them makes me wonder how they would fair with say EPMD in there Prime putting out Albums with them?? I think they have Peaked because they can still come out with Tight Songs but I can't really see them taking there Style any further unless they Split up?? as a Group I think it's as Good as it's gonna be IMHO.

mistermaxxx said:

Whoa! I usually agree with you on most things and I always respect your opinions, Maxxx, but this is one of those times where I don't. No way has Outkast reached their peak yet, AND you think R Kelly is better than them??!! Oh the humanity!! They outshine him almost everytime, as far as creativity! R Kelly ain't usually doing jack new, and yes, I have heard the new album. I give Kelly his props for being prolific and all of his talents, but he's NOWHERE near as imaginitive as the Outkast crew.
[This message was edited Tue Mar 18 15:35:46 PST 2003 by alexnvrmnd]

alexnvrmnd said:

I Dig R.Kelly 5 times more than Outkast.Outkast while I dig them&things by them they at times seem a bit on the Fad tip.R.Kelly for me has made better overall Albums than them IMHO&also did a Better job at Balance R&B&Hip-hop than them trying to mix R&B IMHO.it's Cool.I respect you as well.but I Dig R.Kelly Big Fan of His Work,I Like Outkast but they aren't doing anything for me anymore than what EPMD had done.IMHO Outkast is More Safe than anything over time.tell you the truth on LaFace Records I was more Partial to Goodie Mob than Outkast a bit anyway.

With Outkast you have to expect the unexpected. As tired as that phrase is,it is true with this group.Somehow when you think they have peaked,they manage to surprise.Four classic albums in a row proves how consistent they are maybe th most consistent in hip hop ever. Now I remember Big Boi saying they had some three albums worth of material they arealso looking to release this year. I can't wait for that either.

classic77 said:

I Like them but they are No Public Enemy,NWA,Run DMC IMHO.I put them alongside EPMD.

mistermaxxx said:

Cool! That's what's so great about these boards...we can both respectfully voice our opinions and you can be wrong and I can be right!!! J/K, Maxxx!

mistermaxxx said:

In the same vein, I wouldn't put R. Kelly (whom you call the King of R&B) with Luther, Teddy, Marvin, Stevie, Prince, or any of the other real kings of the genre either. He's still a tier below them, in my mind (and that's still a compliment)!

alexnvrmnd said:

you forgot about Michael in the Kings of R&B.I'd Put R.Kelly on the Top Tier.He has a Proven Track Record as a Artist,Writer&Producer.He also is Good on Stage&The Cat has been in the Business for over a Decade&Change as well.not to mention He is able to Blend not Only R&B,Pop but also gets Much Props from the Hip-Hop Crowd&that ain't easy when you are coming from the R&B& Pop Circle.it's all a matter of Opinion but R.Kelly is BADDD!!!

mistermaxxx said:

IMHO they are more consistent and combine the best traits of PE,Run DMC,NWA,and EPMD.

mistermaxxx said:

Didn't necessarily forget Michael, just didn't mention him (just like Lionel; and don't trip on that one )!! And, R. Kelly good on stage?? When did this happen?? Ah well...like you said, it's just a matter of opinion!

NuPwrSoul said:

Right, Outkast have four consistently good albums of which fans all can choose different favourites. I dug "Whole World" as fun promotion for the hits collection while the Scooby Doo track was cashing in on a trashy film's soundtrack. I'll be waiting to hear this upcoming 2CD set before judging where they're at in their careers...

alexnvrmnd said:

R.Kelly puts on a Good Show Live.He toured just a Couple Years back&in the past.I said Michael for R&B because the Brother doesn't get enough Love.Lionel as a Songwriter but not quite on that Level overall IMHO.

classic77 said:

No Comment.public Enemy was like Bob Dylan of there Era because You listened to Every Detail,Run DMC were the Beatles of Rap they did it all,NWA with Dr.Dre&Ice Cube??? in there Prime Jerri Curl Years??? Outkast can't hang with them three Groups IMHO.Maybe EPMD? but EPMD had a strong hand in the WestCoast Sound so no I can't quite give them that One either.I'd put them behind all of those Groups.

mistermaxxx said:

I agree with you as far as Run DMC doing it all. They opned up all kinds of doors for hip hop music,Public Enemy created one of the greatest albums in music ever, and NWA did their thing but as much as I love some NWA they were a little overrated.EPMD were the first to use the More Bounce sample and yeah they did that for the west coast sound.But if you look at consistency,creativity,originality, among other traits no group past or present is overall better than Outkast.

classic77 said:

Run DMC,Public Enemy&NWA are the Main Rap groups Ever IMHO over the past 20 years.Outkast are Talented but also Have that Cross-Over thing going for them&they kinda fit in.Run DMC were all that.Public Enemy was like a School.NWA:Dr.Dre,Eazy E&Ice Cube.they smear Outkast IMHO.Dr.Dre alone Nuff Said.Ice Cube Nuff Said.EPMD Wicked&were rolling for a Good Minute.

mistermaxxx said:

I Forgot all about A Tribe Called Quest.