Stankonia

by OutKast

Overview

With their groundbreaking discs Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, ATLiens, and Aquemini, the eccentric Atlanta duo OutKast have established themselves as the forerunners of experimental Southern hip-hop. On their fourth release, Stankonia, No. 1 stunners Dre and Big Boi have expanded their eclectic repertoire with an edgy and oftentimes humorous collage of songs heavy on frenzied electric guitar and scattered synthesizer effects. A few of the most flavorful tracks, such as the gospel choir- and electro-funk driven first single "B.O.B." and the neck-snapping "Gasoline Dreams," are propelled by rallying hooks and pumping bass lines. Meanwhile, songs such as the tranquil "Slum Beautiful," which features trance-inducing guitar loops and Al Green-esque vocals à la Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo, are no less breathtaking. Whether OutKast are rhyming over percussive Casio-keyboards and scratch-layered beats on the extraordinary "Humble Jumble," which features the primal screams of Erykah Badu, or inspiring side-splitting laughter with "Miss Jackson," an ode to your baby's mama's momma, Stankonia takes us on a fantastic voyage. Abby Addis

Product Details

Release Date:	10/31/2000
Label:	La Face
UPC:	0730082607223
catalogNumber:	26072
Rank:	6263

Tracks

1. Intro
2. Gasoline Dreams
3. I'm Cool (Interlude)
4. So Fresh, So Clean
5. Ms. Jackson
6. Snappin' & Trappin'
7. D.F. (Interlude)
8. Spaghetti Junction
9. Kim & Cookie (Interlude)
10. I'll Call Before I Come
11. B.O.B.
12. Xplosion
13. Good Hair (Interlude)
14. We Luv Deez Hoez
15. Humble Mumble
16. Drinking Again (Interlude)
17. ?
18. Red Velvet
19. Cruisin' in the ATL (Interlude)
20. Gangsta Sh*t
21. Toilet Tisha
22. Slum Beautiful
23. Pre-Nump (Interlude)
24. Stankonia (Stanklove)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

OutKast   Primary Artist
Big Rube   Track Performer
Goodie Mob   Track Performer
Dré   Vocals
Erykah Badu   Track Performer
B Real   Track Performer
Gangsta Boo   Track Performer
Big Boi   Vocals
Big Gipp   Track Performer
Killer Mike   Track Performer
Backbone   Track Performer

Technical Credits

George Clinton   Composer
OutKast   Producer
Robert Barnett   Composer
Erykah Badu   Composer
André Benjamin   Composer
Ruben Bailey   Composer
Thomas Burton   Composer
Antwan Patton   Composer
Patrick "Sleepy" Brown   Composer
Brian Loving   Composer
Cory Andrews   Composer
Carlton Mohone   Composer
David Sheats   Composer
Mark "Exit" Goodchild   Engineering
Michael Render   Composer

Editorial Reviews

Stankonia was OutKast's second straight masterstroke, an album just as ambitious, just as all-over-the-map, and even hookier than its predecessor. With producers Organized Noize playing a diminished role, Stankonia reclaims the duo's futuristic bent. Earthtone III (Andre, Big Boi, Mr. DJ) helms most of the backing tracks, and while the live-performance approach is still present, there's more reliance on programmed percussion, otherworldly synthesizers, and surreal sound effects. Yet the results are surprisingly warm and soulful, a trippy sort of techno-psychedelic funk. Every repeat listen seems to uncover some new element in the mix, but most of the songs have such memorable hooks that it's easy to stay diverted. The immediate dividends include two of 2000's best singles: "B.O.B." is the fastest of several tracks built on jittery drum'n'bass rhythms, but Andre and Big Boi keep up with awe-inspiring effortlessness. "Ms. Jackson," meanwhile, is an anguished plea directed at the mother of the mother of an out-of-wedlock child, tinged with regret, bitterness, and affection. Its sensitivity and social awareness are echoed in varying proportions elsewhere, from the Public Enemy-style rant "Gasoline Dreams" to the heartbreaking suicide tale "Toilet Tisha." But the group also returns to its roots for some of the most testosterone-drenched material since their debut. Then again, OutKast doesn't take its posturing too seriously, which is why they can portray women holding their own, or make bizarre boasts about being "So Fresh, So Clean." Given the variety of moods, it helps that the album is broken up by brief, usually humorous interludes, which serve as a sort of reset button. It takes a few listens to pull everything together, but given the immense scope, it's striking how few weak tracks there are. It's no wonder Stankonia consolidated OutKast's status as critics' darlings, and began attracting broad new audiences: its across-the-board appeal and ambition overshadowed nearly every other pop album released in 2000.

All Music Guide - Steve Huey