It's hard to believe that OutKast has been around for more than 12 years -- a virtual eternity in hip-hop circles. But the Atlanta duo remain relevant through constant revolution and reinvention. In 2003, their galvanizing double disc,
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, marked what seemed an insurmountable creative apex for Big Boi and Andre 3000, yet the pair continue to stretch the boundaries of hip-hop with their follow-up,
Idlewild. Despite being billed as an official album, the project primarily serves as an admirable musical counterpart to Kast's theatrical release of the same name, set in the jazzy 1930s. Keeping in line with the film's era, Dre kicks his vaudeville-singing act in high gear. Mr. 3000's vocal twang and charismatic flair swing best on the juke jointin' "Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry About Me)" and the Prince-reminiscent "PJ & Rooster." Big, on the other hand, raps with exquisite detail and confidence throughout, and the delectable "Peaches" and the autobiographical "The Train" are lyrical standouts. Although the partners in rhyme spend more mic time apart than not -- continuing to fuel breakup rumors -- whenever they converge on the same track, the results are magical, as on "Hollywood Divorce" and "Mighty 'O'."
Idlewild might have resonated even more strongly with more such collaborative moments, but truly, separate but equal never sounded so good.
Anslem Samuel
![Title: Fight the Power: Greatest Hits Live! [CD/DVD]](https://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0854750001103_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg)
