A vaguely futuristic, synthesizer-drenched album punctuated with anthemic choruses and bluesy beats, Aquemini tackles many topics such as emancipation, drug addiction and problematic relationships, while exploring the bleakest aspects of humanity. In contrast to much of hip hop music in the late 1990s, OutKast did not tone down the regional qualities, like the harmonica break on "Rosa Parks" and distinctive Atlanta slang and diction throughout. The song led to much controversy with Rosa Parks filing a defamation suit against OutKast.[6] "Rosa Parks" was later nominated for the 1999Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[7]Aquemini also featured live instrumentation and poetic lyricism, such as the reggae horns on the seven-minute long "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" and wah-wah guitar on the closing track "Chonkyfire". The album also included West Savannah, which was an outtake from Outkast's debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The track was also featured as an intro to the "Benz Or Beamer" video, but was held off Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik and not used on the duo's follow-up album ATLiens, finally to surface (admittedly as filler) on this album. The song is the original version and was not re-recorded for the album. A small intro to the song begins at the end of Slump, with Big Boi referring to the song's history.
Lyrics
Delivered by rhythmic vocal abilities and distinctive Southern rapping, the main focus of the album seemed to be on morality. With complex metaphors and dirty South slang, Andre addresses his critics in the album opener, "Return of the G". It's the return of the gangsta/Thanks ta' them niggas that think you soft/And say, "Y'all be gospel rappin'" /But they be steady clappin'/When you talk about bitches and switches/And hoes and clothes and weed.... Aqueminis catchy lyrics are a mix of street-wise and common sense. RapReviews.com noted that "Aquemini is full of small moments that make you nod your head and look forward to hearing them again."[8] "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" featured a soulful hook by Sleepy Brown and introspective lyricism by Big Boi and Andre. In addition to the very detailed metaphors, Big Boi recited his lyrics in spoken word style for the song.
When I first met my SpottieOttieDopalicious Angel I can remember that damn thing like yesterday The way she moved reminded me of a Brown Stallion horse with skates on smooth like a hot comb on nappy ass hair I walked up on her & was almost paralyzed her neck was smelling sweeter than a plate of yams with extra syrup eyes beaming like four karats apiece just blindin' a nigga felt like I chiefed a whole O of that Presidential My heart was beating so damn fast never knowing this moment would bring another life into this world
At the time, mainstream rap was almost entirely dominated by Puff Daddy's New York-based Bad Boy label, which was criticized for putting out music that hip-hop fans claimed was commercially watered-down both lyrically and in terms of production. OutKast's sound was hook-laden and accessible, yet distinct and fresh at a time of stagnation in the hip hop community.
The album's creative depth accompanied with its innovative, natural rhymes and funky, characteristically Southern beats was praised by many critics, including the L.A. Times, which called Aquemini a "brilliant slice of hip-hop". It also received a "classic" ranking of 5 mics from The Source magazine, which later wrote of the album that it "possesses an uncanny blend of sonic beauty, poignant lyricism and spirituality that compels without commanding".[9] In a November 1998 article, What Magazine praised Aquemini, as they wrote,
Some critics appreciated the absence of a materialist focus. Rolling Stone declared that the album proved "that you don't have to sell out to sell records"[10], while PopMatters agreed, claiming "(i)n a year where excess was romanticized by nearly everyone, OutKast was one of the few commercial groups concerned with more than just 'the Benjamins".[11]Q magazine called Aquemini "breathtaking in its ambition... (Aquemini) makes most rappers seem drab and doltish in comparison", [12] while others have identified the album as alternative hip hop or compared it to progressive rock and bands like Pink Floyd.[13] The music website Nude as the News called "Rosa Parks" "one of the best rap songs ever crafted." [14] The album was later ranked #21 on Chris Rock's list of the Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums of all time. [15]
The clean version of the album has shortened versions of "Return of the G", "Rosa Parks", "Aquemini", "Synthesizer", "Slump", "West Savannah", "Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 1", "SpottieOttieDopalicious", "Y'all Scared", "Liberation", and "Chonkyfire". The interlude "Nathaniel" was omitted as well.
Encyclopedia
top
