#9 - Phil

Outkast

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

2003

The most original and progressive rap group of all-time were faced with perhaps their greatest challenge at the decade’s start – to write an album that could surpass their most popular and universally praised work ever, 2000’s Stankonia (“B.O.B.,” “Ms. Jackson”). Much like Radiohead, Outkast’s Big Boi and Andre 3000 knew there was no way they could move forward after such an acclaimed record unless they did something radical. So they made Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double-disc album just under 2 hours and 15 minutes in length, with each rapper handling one of the discs. Radical enough for ya?

Speakerboxxx is Big Boi’s album, a jazzy-electronic infestation of his most catchy rhymes and hooks. “Ghetto Musick” is one of the most unique-sounding rap songs I’ve ever heard; its robotic discotheque chorus could have only been contrived by an artist this out-of-the-box genius. “The Way You Move” became a #1 hit for a reason, as Big Boi’s integration of trumpets and Sleepy Brown’s soulful voice are perfectly complemented. There’s even a track where Big Boi’s son comes in for a freestyle verse!

Andre 3000’s The Love Below throws every rule for what a hip-hop record should sound like out the window. He hardly raps at all, focusing solely on building an atmospheric escape of sex-crazed dreams. “Prototype” alludes to Jimi Hendrix’s psychedelic acid rock, as Andre confesses “I hope that you’re the one / If not… you are the prototype.” Just to give you an idea of how spicy this record is, some of the other tracks are named “Spread,” “She Lives in My Lap,” and the hilarious skit “Where Are My Panties?” Yet thrown right in the middle of this musical porno is my favorite single of the decade, “Hey Ya!” I was at a wedding reception this summer and the entire place went crazy when this song came on – kids, grandparents, and college grads. From its funky beat to its absurdly addictive chorus, I truly believe “Hey Ya!” will be remembered as one of the greatest songs of our generation.

Best. Double-disc. Ever. -P.W.

I don’t think this album is an exception to the rule that double albums are a bad idea simply because of the sheer length. These guys just can cut their albums down to a proper size. Aquemini, Stankonia and this double album are all praise-worthy but none of them manage to clock in even close to under an hour, which deters me from revisiting them very often. Regardless these guys have a series of amazing records under their belt that really culminated with this double album. I have to say though, that I’m not as much of a fan of the Speakerboxxx half as I am with the more funk-driven The Love Below. - Ryan

If you were so inclined, you could sit for 2 hours and 14 minutes listening to Big Boi and Andre 3000 spin their disjointed web of early-'00s hip-hop. It's a fascinating listening culling a number of huge singles (one of the biggest crossover hits, "Hey Ya"), but I can't help but always feel exhausted by this listen. If this double album was reduced to a single 45-60 minutes of the best stuff, it would be the ineffable high point for Outkast. Instead it's a good record with just too many damn leftovers. - Steve