Outkast Album Preview: From The Whole World To The Entire Universe
By now everyone should know that Outkast's double LP, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, could have easily been released as two separate albums, as the two members seemingly have two separate musical agendas on the project — separate from each other, and separate from the rest of the music industry.
Andre 3000, who wants to blow up in Hollywood, pulls from his jazz, funk and, most prominently, R&B influences to tell a bevy of love stories, while Big Boi sticks to the Kast's brand of eclectic hip-hop space tripping. The almost-ten-year vets continue to throw rap's rule book to the wayside and experiment with the abnormal.
courtesey of mtv news
I just wanted to say that im a huge fan of Outkast and i think they are really the best music period. They appeal as a "RAP" duo, but there music has always been so much more creative and unique than main stream rap. If you havent checked them out because you dont like rap than your making a big mistake. Any album from thier catalolouqe is fucking superb. This new CD is a double CD but each CD is an individual CD for each member. Its really cool of them to combine thier solo efforts into one package because it will save the public a lot of money. I just downloaded Andre 3000's first single called Hey Ya and it is unbeleivable. It is not even remotley in the realm as what passes for hip hop today. I really made this thread to try and let people know about the upcoming album. I would suggest downloading Hey Ya to get a feel for the new sound and support good music by buying the CD.
this gonna get moved.
3....2.....1.....
sorry, insomnia makes you forgetfull
blast off.
but for effing real, outkast are unstoppable. they are the quality machine that devours everything that can be thrown at them. will they ever disappoint? very unlikely. effing geniuses.
hey ya is on a level far beyond Stankonia. almost on sum doo wop shit. can't wait to get this.
I will buy this
tomorrow?
Quote from: Pblast off.
but for effing real, outkast are unstoppable. they are the quality machine that devours everything that can be thrown at them. will they ever disappoint? very unlikely. effing geniuses.
hey ya is on a level far beyond Stankonia. almost on sum doo wop shit. can't wait to get this.
you heard hey ya? Thats some crazy funky shit isnt it? i cant stop listening to it.
Quote from: Bankyyou heard hey ya? Thats some crazy funky shit isnt it? i cant stop listening to it.
wordski. that's where my sig was from, "shake it like a polaroid picture". it's madness when he gets stuck on a word and then the random yell gets him out of it:
"...nothing is forever,
then what makes, then what makes, then what makes, ( X more)
WHAT MAKES
love the exception."
great first single. especially now, in these horny times.
Quote from: PQuote from: Bankyyou heard hey ya? Thats some crazy funky shit isnt it? i cant stop listening to it.
wordski. that's where my sig was from, "shake it like a polaroid picture". it's madness when he gets stuck on a word and then the random yell gets him out of it:
"...nothing is forever,
then what makes, then what makes, then what makes, ( X more)
WHAT MAKES
love the exception."
great first single. especially now, in these horny times.
isnt it great to hear hip hop music where the lyrics mean something
Oh shit, I just heard Hey Ya
that was fucking sweeeet
sorry, first listen and I think it's annoying (Hey Ya)...I have to give it another try though.
I've been listening to Hey Ya nonstop for the past week. It is unbelievably cool. You could kinda get a sense of where Andre was going in The Whole World, and here's the culimination of that...so far. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. I'll be buying it at midnight the night before it comes out.
Big Boi's single is also available for (legal) download at Arista's site, and it is great too. But Andre is taking things to the next level.
Quote from: GhostboyI've been listening to Hey Ya nonstop for the past week. It is unbelievably cool. You could kinda get a sense of where Andre was going in The Whole World, and here's the culimination of that...so far. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. I'll be buying it at midnight the night before it comes out.
Big Boi's single is also available for (legal) download at Arista's site, and it is great too. But Andre is taking things to the next level.
can somone create link to Big Bois new song?
Quote from: Bankycan somone create link to Big Bois new song?
http://www.arista2.com/mp3s/the_way_you_move.mp3
Sloth, the CD doesn't come out until the 23rd
Oh thanks man
Quote from: PQuote from: Bankycan somone create link to Big Bois new song?
http://www.arista2.com/mp3s/the_way_you_move.mp3
gracias mi amigo
Andre 3000 is the man. He is probably one of my favorite people in the current music industry. When I saw The Strokes in November 2002 in Atlanta, as I was waiting on them to hit the stage, I glanced up at the balcony and who was sitting there chilling? None other than Andre 3000. A few people besides me recognized him, but sadly I don't think most others knew who he was. I just think it's incredibly cool that a hip-hop artist is also into music like the Strokes.
Anyway, the new album should be great. I like Big Boi too, but I'm anticipating Andre 3000's disc more.
He said that the Strokes and the Hives are really big influences on his current sound.
I saw both videos on launch
Big Boi is elevating the current rap out there
but Andre is out of this world already
Quote from: tremoloslothI saw both videos on launch
Big Boi is elevating the current rap out there
but Andre is out of this world already
haha tru..
ok i'ma go watch those videos now.
Quote from: PQuote from: tremoloslothI saw both videos on launch
Big Boi is elevating the current rap out there
but Andre is out of this world already
haha tru..
ok i'ma go watch those videos now.
http://launch.yahoo.com/artist/default.asp?artistID=1020326
thnx dawg.
same thing i'm saying about 21 Grams.. yay it's green! also, i totally forgot he was doin the concept of being everyone in a fictional group. hope everyone else feels it. or at least one of them should hit as many as got Ms Jackson, that would be dope for hey ya.
i wanna hear the rest tho, is it burnable yet? last i checked every supposed track from both CDs was a loop of The Whole World. on kazaa that is.
Andre 3000 is Outkast, and his new single is fucking fantastic, even the video... so creative. I read that Andrew doesnt want to rap anymore, says he isnt passionate about it and cant rap about "cadillacs and guns like when I was 17" anymore, and I applaud him for that. Big Boi on the other hand seems to kind of be trying to keep up with dre and his single is awful.
Quote from: Duck SauceBig Boi on the other hand seems to kind of be trying to keep up with dre and his single is awful.
nah on The Way You Move he's taking it back to when R&B was good. i can dig it.
i heard the big boi single, it was pretty good, nothing special though.
Quote from: Pi wanna hear the rest tho, is it burnable yet? last i checked every supposed track from both CDs was a loop of The Whole World. on kazaa that is.
yeah i've noticed that and it's fucking annoying, have to wait a couple of weeks then.
Quote from: PQuote from: Duck SauceBig Boi on the other hand seems to kind of be trying to keep up with dre and his single is awful.
nah on The Way You Move he's taking it back to when R&B was good. i can dig it.
yeah i can dig it also. The video is real entertaining also.
That launch site isn't Mac Friendly.. it keeps telling me that I need an archaic version off Netscape...
anyway, I've seen the "Hey ya" Video and I fuckin' love it... I saw it about a week ago and remember going "Hey, that's where P got that whole "shake it like a polaroid".
and I downloaded "the way you move" and the song is good shit too.
And yeah... all the others are just "The Whole World"...sucky.
oh... 'cept for one listed as "Rooster"... which is just a short instrumental and may just be something off an older album listed incorrectly.
I have good feelings about this album.
yeah its gonna be a solid effort
I'm currently listening to Andre 3000's disc on MTV.com. This is some wild stuff. This is the most creative and freshest hip-hop (if you can even call it that) to come along in, well, ages. I have a feeling that this will end up being album of the year. It's going to be huge.
Quote from: European SonMTV.com.
Listen to the entire albums here (http://www.mtv.com/music/the_leak/outkast/index.jhtml). Good find Son!
Quote from: European SonI'm currently listening to Andre 3000's disc on MTV.com. This is some wild stuff. This is the most creative and freshest hip-hop (if you can even call it that) to come along in, well, ages. I have a feeling that this will end up being album of the year. It's going to be huge.
Oh shit yes this is great....
Any leaked mp3s yet?
one more week
Quote from: European SonI'm currently listening to Andre 3000's disc on MTV.com. This is some wild stuff. This is the most creative and freshest hip-hop (if you can even call it that) to come along in, well, ages. I have a feeling that this will end up being album of the year. It's going to be huge.
nice work
Quote from: Pedro the WombatQuote from: European SonI'm currently listening to Andre 3000's disc on MTV.com. This is some wild stuff. This is the most creative and freshest hip-hop (if you can even call it that) to come along in, well, ages. I have a feeling that this will end up being album of the year. It's going to be huge.
Oh shit yes this is great....
Any leaked mp3s yet?
The whole album is on Soulseek. Oh well..
do you think for awards that each solo album could be nominated or only the collective double cd?
Any awards will be given to the double CD since theoretically it is one album. If they wanted individual award nominations, they could have released each album seperately under their own names.
I have decided that this album will quite possibly be the best album of the year.
Even if just for the Andre 3k disc.
Quote from: RegularKarateI have decided that this album will quite possibly be the best album of the year.
Even if just for the Andre 3k disc.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Agreed. Hell, the Andre disc even tops
Hail to the Thief. I can't wait for them to tour. The songs will be ridiculous live.
man outkast is the shit. I was just watching MTV and they were on TRL. Andre 3000 went on there with a guitar an played some "Hey Ya" acoustic.
Fuck the state of hip-hop where talantless ass clowns hold goblets and make "hit" records
Quote from: European SonI can't wait for them to tour. The songs will be ridiculous live.
Andre said he's not going to tour. Big Boi will be doing his stuff, but I'm really not too interested in seeing him solo.
I hope I can get off work in time tonight to make it to Tower Records by 1am. But if not, tomorrow's only a day away.
i saw Outkat live a couple of years ago. It was during their Stankonia tour. The concert was incredible. They played all the hits and did an encore of B.O.B. It is still the best concert ive ever seen.
Quote from: GhostboyAndre said he's not going to tour..
That makes me cry. How sad. Cmon Andre.....
Listening now
I started with Big Boi's disc Speakerboxxx and it's fucking great so far
The love below is one of the most remarkable albums I've heard in a very long time. Andre 3000 is a damned genius. They are selling this for 10.99 at best buy...pick it up NOW...they were flying off shelves when I was in there today. I wonder how people are going to take to Dre's disc since there is so little actual rapping on it. Fucking fantastic
"Motherfuck the wagon, come and join the band."
Andre 3000
Hey you guys, I ended up liking Big Boi's disc more
i dig Andres new sound but he needs to keep rappin.
I had to go to two stores after work today to find a copy. Currently engulfed in Dre's disc, which is just...damn.
I'll get to Big Boi later and report back. Hopefully.
Dre's disc is so much richer than Big Boi's...don't get me wrong they are both great...but I can see myself listening to Dre's for years to come where as I will prob get tired of Speakerboxx fairly soon...I love them so much together it's a real shame they are basically broken up.
They aren't breaking up
They will. It is inevitable. This is their "White Album". By that, I mean that this is the point where they start drifting apart musically. They may make another album or two together like The Beatles did, but this is the beginning of the end.
Yes they are. Andre will not be touring...so there is no more "touring" Outkast. He already says he is totally done rapping and wants to move on. Unless they are going to continue releasing double albums...they are broken up. Big Boi is also at odds with Andre over the production of this disc because Andre refused to finish his album while Boi had been done for almost a year. It's not official but it is safe to assume Outkast as a group is prob. over...but as solo artists anything can happen.
Trem, I can see why you like Big Boi's disc more. Me, I think it's an easy decision: they're both incomparably great. This is the best album of the year. I'd previously have probably given that title to Hail To The Thief, but the thing about that album is that its greatness was sort of anticipated and had a familiarity to it. Which is the same way Big Boi's disc is. What Hail To The Thief lacked is what Andre provides on The Love Below -- an entirely new sound, a new direction. It's amazing stuff.
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The NY Times did an interview with them recently in which they 'vigorously denied' a breakup. Anybody read this?
Quote from: cinemanarchistYes they are. Andre will not be touring...so there is no more "touring" Outkast. He already says he is totally done rapping and wants to move on. Unless they are going to continue releasing double albums...they are broken up. Big Boi is also at odds with Andre over the production of this disc because Andre refused to finish his album while Boi had been done for almost a year. It's not official but it is safe to assume Outkast as a group is prob. over...but as solo artists anything can happen.
pretty false post here
there is a new outkast CD coming out in March.
It will play as the soundtrack of a musical they are doing with HBO films that also comes out in March
booyaa
banky...what happen to all the hot bitches in yer av's man?
Quote from: aclockworkjjbanky...what happen to all the hot bitches in yer av's man?
well to be honest, i originally took my last one down from Britney Rolling Stone because that fucking picture was everywhere. Before its release it was a really good avatar but then i got sick if it i mean someone on the site had a close up of her ass as just thier avatar. So when i went looking for somone else i read a post you had made and i decided to take a break from the hot girls. I think the post was in the Top 5 favorite movies thread, any ways, i didnt feel like you were dissing me because of them but it just made me realize that i got way more response for my avatars than anything i could ever post. So i justed decided to drop the "hot girl" pics until i could find another one i really liked and i dont want to force it. So i went with a few and am now with a Revolutions one and i got the idea from a Mac and cbrad post... I dont know when the right pic comes along i'll change.
Quote from: tremoloslothHey you guys, I ended up liking Big Boi's disc more
me too......
thisis not their best ..
I think Acquemini is one of those albums that will just never be topped. So in that respect, I agree that it's not their best.
But I can't get that one Dre number, Let Down Your Cool, out of my head. It's so damn beautiful.
yeah..I agree aquemini is their best ..so far..
BTW: on big boi's disk..I still can't get ghettomusik out of my head that song is fun....
I think this is their best disc to date...but a very close second is ATLiens
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dont get it twisted. This is Outkast's best Album and one of the best Albumbs ever made.
Fuck it, they're all regoddamndiculously amazing!
Quote from: GhostboyFuck it, they're all regoddamndiculously amazing!
nicely put
Happy Valentintes Day is the shit
Umm, I think Dracula's Wedding is the highlight of this piece.
I was just reading the cover story about them in Complex, and it had a little bit of info about their HBO movie. They're doing it like the album, it'll be two hour long films starring and co-written by each one individually. Big Boi's is about some time travelling gangsters and Andre's is (this is sooo perfect) a mortician who falls in love with a corpse. I might have to get HBO just to watch this. Or at least go over to a friend's house.
Quote from: GhostboyAndre's is (this is sooo perfect) a mortician who falls in love with a corpse. I might have to get HBO just to watch this. Or at least go over to a friend's house.
that sounds about right
Fiddler on the Mother Fucking Roof
Quote from: NewtronUmm, I think Dracula's Wedding is the highlight of this piece.
I have to agree here. It's just so fuckin' nuts
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fuck stankonia
Quote from: Pedro the Wombatfuck stankonia
i was gonna make a cheap joke about parental advisory music and your age but im not gonna because that wouldnt be very nice.
Andre's continuing to explore new talents.... (http://playboy.com/arts-entertainment/celebphoto/andre3000/index.html)
I liked the thing from the Onion that shows them on Leno with the caption
"OutKast Universally Accepted"
ON SNL TONIGHT
I'll comment here finally. With Dre's album, overall it is magnificent in most of the songs it can create. I have problems with some of the songs in being ripped of higher potential, but magnificence everywhere for the most part. I think my major complaint is that with all the variety, the album lacks the feeling of being a whole album, as if came from one mind thought lyrically and sound wise. Lyrically, you could argue that it comes from the point of view of "soulful observance" by Dre, but so many other albums could say that with just writing typical songs. I wish Dre would have dug deeper for something more complete. Some great songs are on display, but the albums feels like a display of songs only.
And to comment on songs ripped of potential, the most obvious for me is Vibrate. The chorus was some of the best words on the entire album, but juiced to the max on repeat. The song also was intruding with the layer of hip hop beats to a backing band of some very classical music. I just wish Dre would have explored lyrically more and have exploded with the classical music for higher texture. With Love in War, the beats are good, but what is more banal in modern music than preaching love instead of war? A lot of times on the album, Dre's observation is fickle to the point where you wish he had an overall idea or plan to drive the album. The album is still wonderful and has been in my cd nearly forever, but it misses on being a masterpiece for these reasons. Genius is with Dre still.
I honestly have listened little to Big Boi's disc. Maybe in the next year or so.
~rougerum
To all the Big Boi haters: Quit being so white and predictable... it's good shit.
Did anyone catch the SNL performance? I seem to have forgotten how to properly program my VCR, damn it.
And Big Boi's CD is fantastic. GhettoMusik is amazing amazing amazing, and the rest of it is great. The only one I don't really like much is the church one, and even that one is really good.
Quote from: RegularKarateTo all the Big Boi haters: Quit being so white and predictable... it's good shit.
:kiss:
yeah, big boi's disc was the best of them. dre's was a little hit/missy.
okay hey ya is officially the most overplayed song, at the moment anyhow. i was in my car yesterday and it was on three different stations at the same time.
so now we can gauge how slow the public reacts to things.. 4 and a half months. interesting.
good point P
Yeah, I think the 4 and a half months was because it took that long for it to cross over. They just started playing Hey Ya on the rock station here about a month ago.
a coworker of mine complains about the lack off hip hop on "hey ya".
true story.
true story
i have a law professor who is a loud person, and in saying that i mean he'll spontaneously shout right in the middle of a sentence. he also loves to pick on ppl in the crowd, make fun of them, etc. he's actually a funny (but pretty scary) guy.
anyhow, one of the things he does when he segues into another topic is he'll go "alright!alright!alright!alright!" as is done in said song. now, it is not uncommon for teachers to attempt to be "cool" to impress students, like they'll throw in pop culture references into their lectures just so we'll all know "oh wow you watch MTV too." etc. etc. etc.
so, he offerred extra credit to anyone who could name all the performers in the hey ya video. (andre 3000, the love haters, etc.) one kid did it.
i forgot where i was going with this... well i guess you know a song has reached the very tippy tip of the parabolic curve of popularity when law professors know the fucking video.
Weird, Outkast really didn't lift here
so I know I'm late but I finally picked up this cd a few days ago. I bought Stankonia a few months ago and didn't really get into it. I enjoy the singles and some of the other tracks but I found the interludes detracting from the rest of the album.
I have to first admit that for the most part I dislike rap. I really enjoy QTip, A Tribe Called Quest and what I've heard from Talib Kweli. Reason I bought this album is because I heard Andre's The Love Below was the "lost prince album".
So I've finished listening to The Love Below and it really is amazing. I love how not only does he switch styles in the album but in individual songs. IT does infact have a princian feel.
I'm halfway through Speakerboxx and I love the single but my favorite so far is Ghetto Musick, that song is just pure genius.
As bad as the grammys are, it is pretty important that this was named Best Album.
I'm tempted to look into more of their stuff...should I?
Quote from: SHAFTR
I'm tempted to look into more of their stuff...should I?
.well.i would suggest gettign Aquemini.....its their best..and i don't mean that in the typical"its the best " speel that usually takes but .i'm serious......i think most here would agree its the best one out of thier catalogue...
Quote from: NEON MERCURYQuote from: SHAFTR
I'm tempted to look into more of their stuff...should I?
.well.i would suggest gettign Aquemini.....its their best..and i don't mean that in the typical"its the best " speel that usually takes but .i'm serious......i think most here would agree its the best one out of thier catalogue...
...if not the greatest hip hop album ever.
alright i really like christina's "the voice within." the video is good, too. one long take in black and white; simple, nice (kinda reminded me of a pta video)
Ignoring the fact that I'm not sure how this relates to Outkast, I think that song is really terrible but I listen to it anyway because I like Christina Aguilera for some reason. Kinda like how when Alan Cumming asked Rufus Wainright in Interview magazine who he'd rather do, Britney or Christina, he said Britney because he has too much respect for Christina and thinks she could do something great some day. Anyway, I'd like to see that video. I kinda liked the one for Beautiful, the aging drag queen was a lovely touch.
Quote from: GhostboyIgnoring the fact that I'm not sure how this relates to Outkast, I think that song is really terrible but I listen to it anyway because I like Christina Aguilera for some reason. I kinda liked the one for Beautiful, the aging drag queen was a lovely touch.
i think the song is terrible too and if the video was normal as a video like mariah carey wailing at a beach in hawaii i'd hate it too. and i agree with the beautiful video, directed by jonas åkerlund. i love the bit where the song ends and christina hangs her head in a darkened corner. i also love the video to erm.. can't hold us down, with the huge ass pins and shit.
why are people talking about Christina Augiliera?
you haven't really heard outkast 'til you checked out Dungeon Family!
Quote from: ©bradalright i really like christina's "the voice within." the video is good, too. one long take in black and white; simple, nice (kinda reminded me of a pta video)
hahah, i meant to put this in the pop music thread!
i need to get a new dealer b/c i think this crack i've been smoking lately is tainted.
i don't know what's sadder- that i had to edit this post or that it took me this long to realize the original christina one was in the wrong thread. feel free to make fun of me, by all means.
that christina song sounds like an old shania twain song i half-remember, could be From this Moment On. that's why it sounds alrite, sort of.
Cartoon project for Andre 3000
Source: Hollywood Reporter
NEW YORK -- Cartoon Network is developing a potential series project with Andre 3000, one-half of the chart-topping hip-hop group OutKast.
The rapper is hashing out ideas with the cable network for a half-hour special pegged for Cartoon's "Adult Swim" block. If Andre 3000 and Cartoon -- both based in Atlanta -- are happy with the results, the channel will greenlight the special for series treatment.
Mike Lazzo, senior vp of Cartoon's "Adult Swim" program block, quickly got over his reservations about collaborating with celebrities upon meeting with Andre 3000, who has worked as an illustrator. "I'm extremely wary of it, but in Andre's case, I think he is a creative genius," he said. "He has definite opinions of what he likes visually."
While still in the early stages, the project is expected to be inspired by the rapper's life or possibly his alter ego, Johnny Vulture, the guitar-playing wildman seen in OutKast's video for the hit single "Hey Ya!" The special will likely have a musical component similar in style to such off-kilter animated films as "Cool World" and "Yellow Submarine." The rapper is expected to contribute music to the project.
Andre 3000 also is enjoying a burgeoning film career with a role in the "Get Shorty" sequel, "Be Cool." He also is gearing up for a starring role in a Jimi Hendrix biopic, to be directed by the Hughes brothers.
Quote from: MacGuffinHe also is gearing up for a starring role in a Jimi Hendrix biopic, to be directed by the Hughes brothers.
why? why? why? why? :evil:
Quote from: El Duderinowhy? why? why? why? :evil:
who do you prefer? denzel washington or wesley snipes?
Morgan Freeman
haha!! yes, and he narrates it shawshank redemption style.
mos def!
As far as looks and musical talent go (I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on his acting talent), Andre is the best 'name' to fill Hendrix's shoes. If they wanted to cast someone else, he'd probably have to be an unknown; I could see Mos Def doing it, but I think I'd give Andre a shot over him.
OR they could just NOT make biography films about sixties rock stars (pink as janis joplin? i think not...).
bio films are so boring anyway, because they try to cram everything in from birth to death in 2 and a half hours - usually following a very definite structure. child had to endure many hardships and was a genius since birth. as a young adult, more hardships endured b/c nobody will let him get his foot in the door. he gets his foot in the door. makes it big. does stupid shit. dies.
why can't they just make straight documentaries. those are so much more interesting. and they don't star pink as janis mother fucking joplin.
Quote from: bonanzatazOR they could just NOT make biography films about sixties rock stars (pink as janis joplin? i think not...).
YES! THANK YOU!
could this be it? sounds like what you were talking about, i dunno about Jimi Hendrix though
ANDRE 3000 IS SET TO STAR IN HIS OWN FEATURE FILM
Source: Variety
Date: May 17, 2004, 11:30 am
Andre Benjamin, better known as "Andre 3000" of OutKast, has inked a deal for his first starring vehicle with Sam Nazarian's Element Films and Paris Barclay attached to direct.
Benjamin will star in the yet untitled pic, which was written by Charles and Janice Raiteri. In the film, set in the mid-'70s, he will portray an upper-middle-class musical prodigy who falls in love with a lower-class free spirit who happens to be white. Production is skedded to begin in October in New Orleans.
Barclay's feature directing credits include "The Big Time" and "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood." He has directed episodes of "Fastlane" and "The West Wing."
Andre 3000 Stewing Over What To 'Cook Up' For New Outkast LP
He also explains his flurry of recent guest appearances: 'It wasn't like a divine plan or anything.'
Source: MTV
Andre 3000 has been one of the most prolific rappers in hip-hop in recent months, dropping lyrical gems on a variety of artists' singles, remixes and mixtape tracks. He's also been its most elusive figure, ducking the spotlight when inquiring minds — and reporters — come calling.
But Dre finally came out of hiding on Wednesday in Los Angeles while on the set for the upcoming UGK video "Int'l Players Anthem," which features Dre and his Outkast partner, Big Boi. In an exclusive interview with MTV News, he addressed his string of guest verses.
"Really, [it's been] all by chance, it wasn't like a divine plan or anything," he told MTV News from his trailer. "It was locally-charged. You had some guys that are from Atlanta that I know, that are producers, that had a couple of beats. They were like, 'Would you get on the remix?' I said, 'Sure.' "
On Outkast's "Idlewild" soundtrack, Dre responded to critics of his more adventurous musical forays by returning to his tried-and-true rapping style. Compared to previous multiplatinum sales of Outkast albums, though, the soundtrack was considered a commercial disappointment, and little had been heard from Dre since.
His emergence recently on a seemingly random assortment of tracks has come out of nowhere. The spots include guest verses on the remix to Rich Boy's "Throw Some D's" (also featuring the Game, Nelly, Murphy Lee and Jim Jones); the latest Devin the Dude single, "What a Job" (also featuring Snoop Dogg); Lloyd's "You" remix (also featuring Nas); and the Outkast cameo on UGK's single. It actually started in October, when he appeared on the remix to DJ Unk's hit single, "Walk It Out" (also featuring Big Boi and Jim Jones).
"I think [Outkast DJ Cutmaster Swift] told me that it would be a good idea to get on 'Walk It Out' 'cause I like the song anyway," he said. "You know, Atlanta [is] a whole 'nother thing. The song was a jamming song, and it's like, why not? They sent an instrumental — let me see what I can do to it.
"It's all about if I can write to it, because I actually get a lot of offers to be on songs I would really like to be on, but I just can't write in time. I be doing so much, it's crazy. But I wrote my little piece, went to the studio, put it down and they dug it. That was it. To me, it's all about the beat. If it's jammin' so hard when you writin' to it, you just wanna say something."
Part of the reason Dre has been so elusive lately is because he's been focusing on his burgeoning acting career. Currently, he's been in Los Angeles shooting "Semi-Pro," a Will Ferrell sports comedy set against the 1970s-era American Basketball Association.
Still, the movie couldn't hold Dre back from working with Bun B and Pimp C again — Outkast and UGK first collaborated on the "Shaft" soundtrack song "Tough Guy" in 2000. "We grew up listening to those guys," Dre beamed. "They're living legends."
Outkast's participation on the new UGK single came courtesy Three 6 Mafia, who produced the song and were originally to appear as the guest MCs.
"Juicy J did the beat and sent it over," he said. "It was jammin' and I started writing. I hit Bun B on text [message], and said, 'Is it too late for me to get on this song?' — because they were a weekend away from finishing up the album. Bun sent me back a message: 'What? Of course not.'
"What's funny is I tried to rap my verse to the beat so many times and it just didn't feel right," he continued. "[My verse] is more like a conversational piece. So I told the engineer to drop the beat out, and we tried it that way. It worked and we just left it in like that. Honestly, I never thought we'd get away with it because that's a long-ass motherf------ verse!"
Dre admitted that he and Big Boi are talking about the next Outkast album, which may be another dual-solo release, like Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below. "Really, I gotta find out what I'm tryin' to say," he said. "It's almost like a picnic — you call your auntie and say, 'You bringin' some greens? Yeah? OK, I'm not gonna bring any greens.' I gotta find out what I gotta cook up. But to quote James Brown, 'Whatever it is, it's got to be funky.' "
The video for "Int'l Players Anthem" is due to be completed at the end of this month. UGK's next album, Underground Kingz, is due July 17.