The fourth album from Outkast might not be the first album people mention in their discography but it was their most experimental. The anticipation for ‘Stankonia’ was high but also one of intrigue. The first single ‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)’ took a bit of getting used to. The high energy, 153 beats per minute single was not something terrestrial urban radio was used to. One could argue that Outkast single handedly changed the course of mainstream sound at the time because of it. The evidence was clear that like their previous albums, Outkast was still on a mission to make each album radically different from the last.
I remember hearing this album for the first time after getting an advanced promotional copy (hence the album cover. Thanks Margaret). By this time ‘B.O.B.’ is the only single out so hearing songs like ‘So Fresh, So Clean’ and ‘Ms. Jackson’ almost provided a sense of normalcy while listening. ‘Stankonia’ did however offer more of that unexpected bounce and energy ‘B.O.B.’ prepared us for. ‘Snappin’ & Trappin’ sounds like Hip-Hop on speed and ‘Gangsta Sh*t’ is like the hardcore street version of ‘Spottieottiedopaliscious’ from their previous album. What makes ‘Stankonia’ great is on paper these songs and features might seem all over the place but the sequencing of this album might be what made it work all these years.
The listener is taken on a rollercoaster ride with exactly the right “turns” and “speeds.” When ‘We Luv Deez Hoez’ seem like the album could be headed towards a down fall, ‘Humble Mumble’ comes in to save the day. This for me made songs that I didn’t initially think were strong fit right into the album and give the overall project a win.
Outkast understood their sound by the year 2000 and although Organized Noize did a few tracks on this album, what the people heard musically was overwhelmingly of Big Boi and Andre 3000 as Earthtone III. Features also included Goodie Mob, B-Real, Erykah Badu, Sleepy Brown, Slimm Calhoune, Backbone and the introduction of Killer Mike. An amazing feat of Outkast was getting me to enjoy a track with guest Gangsta Boo. I was never in a headspace to hear her but Outkast once again created magic, as well as a clever song that we ALL can relate to in ‘I’ll Call Before I Come.’
‘Stankonia’ has always been a fun listen throughout the years. It’s an album that although has had success, there is this silent lack of respect for it but quite possibly because it was light years ahead of it’s time. What did you think of the album?
Singles include:
‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad),’ ‘Ms. Jackson’ & ‘So Fresh, So Clean’
Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2
Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!!
Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO
