Sorry if there's been a gazil' Outkast threads, but just to put a nail in it for all those who are scared they may sucka for the hype...

I just checked out the Outkast website, and wow, the Andre's bio is full of references to some of the greatest funk influences that ever lived, sans James Brown.

Apparently:

Southerplayalisticadillacmuzic is, "sparse samples and live instrumentation reminiscent of the golden era of 70's soul".

Hmmm. Bit vague there...they mean Marvin? Otis? Al? Sam? Oh, but wait...

ATLiens was "gleaned from the spirit of Sly Stone, George Clinton, AND MANDRILL"

Oh my God, all hip-hop can claim some of George's pie, but I aint never heard noone claim Mandrill, let alone Sly! Mandrill fans, who happen to own this CD, can you confirm this? Or is it a reference to a sample?

Then, Stankonia claims to "revisit the spirit of George Clinton, Jimi Hendrix AND EDDIE HAZEL". I aint got this CD also, so those that have, do Outkast rip guitar like a God damn mofo just like Hendrix? And what the FUNK are they referencing to Hazel? They best have something more than a riff to back this shit up!

Then, The Love Below claims to...claims to...hmmm, oh there it is, claims to give you "pleasantly surprising songs like 'Hey Ya', a funky jam that sounds like a cross between the Beatles and the classic Motown sound of early 60's." Ok fair enough they aren't going to gives props to Prince because that's too obvious right? Many people here seem to give Prince the props I assumed it was blatant.




So I decided to Kazaa the whole Love Below album. I thought well
if they have the balls to acknowledge Mandrill, Hazel, Hendrix, Stone and Clinton on their previous discs, it's gotta be true, and maybe this Prince tip he's on might be for real.

And the songs are great! Some are even kinda catchy! I'm assuming the Hendrix/Hazel/Stone/Mandrill influences went outta the window for this one, which is surprising considering the website says, "The Love Below proves that Andre 3000 is one of the most gifted musicians that his generation has produced". His guitar playing ain't nothing to go tell mummy about. But yeah, it's a good solid album though.

I can see where the hype is coming from...like, this is to hip hop what Miles was to Jazz or Prince was to Pop. But it ain't that much a big deal...really. Screw the Prince parallels... other than, ooh, he does a mix of styles on one CD, and maybe his voice in places, and some wackness here and there... but to say thay The Love Below is the "best Prince album that he never wrote" seems a bit spastic after having just listened to this album desperately wanting to experience new 'Prince' funk, and in the end just realising the guy (Dre) actually has his own identity. Sadly for us this means that there's NOTHING like DMSR on here (unfortunately yet more hype on the org), but this is not to say Dre' ain't got the funk! The similarities to Prince are very superficial - you can hear it I guess, and you can see it I guess, but luckily for him (save against plagiarism), and unluckily for those who desperately want their new Prince to arrive, Dre' ain't got shit on P. DMSR? What the funk?

Moral of the story, if your ears are pricking at the bull shit that's flying around here, and you are impressed with his audacious influence nods for past albums, then just kazaa the tracks first before you spend your money, then go get a good funky hiphop album (maybe sling Spearboxxx in the bin, I dunno. Haven't heard that yet), but don't be expecting your DMSR, let alone your Sly, Jimi, Mandrill and Eddie.

Me loves Mandrill!

Supernova said:

But do Outkast? And does it come across on ATLiens?

Taureau said:

That's one of Outkast's albums that I haven't heard, so I don't know. It's surprising that they gave them a plug tho. Mandrill is the greatest band from the '70s that never got the mainstream recognition they deserved. Much of their music was so adventerous and uncategorical that it was probably over the heads of their record company, and they didn't know how to market them. They could be called a "Funk" band by those who weren't capable of hearing anything beyond that, but that misses the whole picture on their extremely varied repetoire. They were so much more. World Music, and then some.

They compare him not just to Prince, but Zappa, who he must also dig. The Love Below is like Prince in that it takes chances artistically, the way Prince used to do, and no longer does very well. Unlike most newer Prince albumbs, it isn't slick, and has the insane weirdness of 86-87 P from back in the day. No one is saying he is equal to Prince, but right now, Andre whoops his little, nasty, purple ass.

It is the best album of the year, and Speakerboxx is great too.

Prince no longer takes chances--that is the point of our love for Andre.

Outkast suck ass

2freaky4church1 said:

I'd dissagree after showcasing The Rainbow Children to many non-biased non-Prince fans who can hold great discussions on all forms of music, and after listening would affirm what I believe - that this album is one of Princes GREATEST artistic challenges...moreso can be said of news. NOW this doesn't necessarily mean that it's all good, but not artistically bold? Not taking chances? Come on, WTF? Just because it might grate here and there, doesn't mean shit. The Love Below grates 'here and there' also. But the biggest counter for your arguement is that Dre's very own website affirms that the shit he's doing now, is the direct channeling of 'spirit' from shit like Mandrill. To creat wacky fusions is nothing new at all, and at least the guy admits this, if that is what he's implying from his influences. I get the feeling it's all horses for courses really, and those that dug most the Prince of 80-87 are undoubtedly gonna be sentimentally touched by Dre's fusion. And I gotta admit I do see it, and dig it - not only is it touted as the saviour of hiphop, but if it starts some sort of artistic revolution in the genre it'll sure get my stubborn ears involved.

Princes recent stuff might not necessarily be completely innovative for music in general, but, come on, nor is The Love Below (q.v. Mandrill, Clinton, Hazel, Hendrix, and erm, what was it? Oh yeah, early Prince )...


[This message was edited Sat Dec 6 16:30:02 PST 2003 by Taureau]

garnis said:

predictable.

2freaky4church1 said:

I hear ya- Dre will never be Prince, but shit there's some whack stuff on here that mmakes me a fan and I'll be getting the next cd the day it comes out, like I do with Prince.