Outkast Reunion! (Not at Roo tho)

Album rumors?


Queen Latifah recently made waves when she insinuated that André 3000 and Big Boi were working on a new album together as part of OutKast‘s 20th anniversary celebration. While she later backtracked from the statement, it’s hard to imagine the duo doesn’t have something else up their sleeve, especially if those 40 festival shows shows are as big a hit as we all imagine they will be. Revolt TV recently went looking for answers, and what they’ve discovered should intrigue fans.

Revolt caught up with the ATLiens’ long-time producer, Mr. DJ, and learned that both André and Big have been spending time in their Stankonia Studios recording music. Don’t jump the gun though, because the rappers haven’t been in the booth together. Instead, Mr. DJ says the pair have been working on solo albums, with André’s potentially dropping his by year’s end. That would be the first time he’s released a strict solo album, excluding The Love Below.

However, even if they’re not working on a new OutKast record at the moment, it doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future. “I get the feeling that the energy and camaraderie from the tour will bring everything full circle,” Mr. DJ told Revolt. “We may make it back in for an album following that.”

Revolt also touched upon new movements within the Dungeon Family, the collective made up of OutKast, Goodie Mob, Sleepy Brown, Rico Wade, and others. Goodie Mob’s Big Gipp divulged that a DF reunion is indeed being planned, and that many members will make appearances at OutKast’s festival gigs, specifically mentioning Georgia’s CounterPoint. Dré also recorded a verse on the track “Benz Bitch” for former DF member Future’s new album, Honest.

It seems that the festival reunion tour is only the beginning of what’s next for OutKast. Though as Revolt’s Reed Jackson points out, it might be worth considering if the (slight) risk of an inferior album is worth the risk. “If a recent string of forgettable and unfortunate reunions are any indicator, the notion of Outkast’s potentially subpar reunion album brings on the broader question of whether just having the duo back together is good enough, or if the reunion must spawn recorded greatness in order for it to be a success.” Some food for thought, though if anyone could buck the trend, it’d be OutKast.

- consequenceofsound.net/2014/01/an-update-on-outkasts-reunion-album/

I am really excited about the Kanye news but i am hoping this doesn't completely keep Outkast off the lineup. Here's to getting them both!

I can't believe I'm seeing this.

emoney

My dislike for rap has nothing to do with it my confusion for the festival hype of Outkast. I understand why people are dying to see Kanye, Eminim, Jay-Z, etc...
I fully expect a large rap/hip-hop fanbase to be excited for Outkast, but not the amount of people here that seem genuinely excited that this day has finally come.

I just had no idea they commanded such a following, that required them to headline festivals. If it were not for this board, I would have assumed they'd be a tent show.

So, you don't like rap, but you're feeling pretty in tune with how rap fans feel about various rap acts and their statuses?

Exactly my point. I understand rap fans being excited, but that is not usually enough to headline giant festivals. Kanye/Jay-Z/Eminem, are so big outside of just the rap world. They are mega stars.
I don,t believe you have to be a mega star to headline Roo, as long as you have a broad fan base. I have never thought of Outkast as being a mega act, outside of rap circles. I figured people who aren't into rap only know Hey Ya, and maybe Miss Jackson. I just did not realize they had such a broad fanbase.

How old are you? I turned 31 a couple days ago and Outkast is hands down the biggest, most universally loved musical group of my generation...out of any genre. Age is probably the difference here

I'll revise to say that Onion was wrong to suggest Outkast could be at a tent. That is ridiculous. But at a fest like Roo, I wouldn't be shocked to see them as #4 or #5 on the lineup playing at the Which or pre-HL. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all jacked up to see them at Gov Ball and they are a huge reason why I didn't wait one second to buy the ticket. But to headline at Roo, they would need to be a #1 or #2 (since they are not really a Sunday-type of act). And I wouldn't be shocked to see them do a LN Which slot.

When does it happen? I thought Sunday is usually reserved for the Widespread Panics, Phish, and Tom Pettys...

hahaha, what?
Outkast is the most universally loved music group, of any genre, of our (I'm 34) generation? Now I know you are trolling.

Outkast is my favorite hip-hop/rap group. I've loved them since I was a teenager. My parents allowed me to listen to them (cause they secretively enjoyed some of it themselves, Outkast does have a wider range of appeal). I think, in part, it's their quirkiness, some of their tracks are very "danceable." It's the bouncing back and forth between the two's separate and unique personalities that make them more interesting for some. I just rarely spoke about Outkast on the board or anywhere for that matter, cause it's a Led Zeppelin thing- just never thought it would happen.

Love that you included DMB at the tail end there.

Pearl Jam, U2, and Nirvana are too old to be included in the generation being discussed, and I would say Outkast is still arguably more beloved than at least Pearl Jam. The only other band on this list that might be more beloved than Outkast by the generation in question is Radiohead.

Here's the thing with the Outkast reunion. It is a huuuuuuuuge deal. They're universally loved even by people who don't typically listen to hip-hop. They have a diamond-selling album under their belt. Their albums (especially Stankonia and Aquemini) are consistently ranked near the top of best-of-the-decade lists by critics. They're massively successful commercially and they're massively successful critically, something very few artists manage to achieve. If Outkast had only played three major festivals (say, Coach, Bonnaroo, and Lolla), they would've easily been a far and away #1 for all of those festivals. No-brainer. Since they're playing every single festival in the US, though, I think they've become a viable option to be #4 at Bonnaroo. It'd be hard to envision an act that's #1 at Counterpoint being the #1 name at Bonnaroo.

Also, as a side thought, I wonder how much money they're asking from festivals per show? It can't be that much if all these mid-tier festivals are booking them, which I find interesting.

I would say it's between them and Radiohead, honestly.