Books could be written about Outkast's
musical genius and the latest addition to
their collection only solidifies them as one 
of the best rap groups in the game. 
Previously inseparable, Antwan "Big Boi" 
Patton and Andre "3000" Benjamin forged
separate sonic paths on Speakerboxxx/
The Love Below.  Big Boi and Dre show-
case their individual talents and in the 
end, we are left with two incredible CDs 
that can each stand on their own.  

Speakerboxxx

On Speakerboxxx, Big Boi wastes no time getting it crunk, opening his 
side of the Outkast double CD with "GhettoMusick", which follows the 
uptempo rhythms similar to Bombs Over Baghdad and masterfully
interleaves soul samples midway through the track.  While Big Boi is 
generally understood as the more traditional rapper of the Outkast 
duo, having a penchant for strip club culture and pitbulls, he expands 
his musical vision on Speakerboxxx, presenting us with a personal and 
vibrant train of thought.  

Big Boi never strays from his southern roots on Speakerboxxx, giving
us more of that Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik we have come to know
and love.  Best exemplified by "Bowtie", Big Boi paints a canvas of his
love for the finer things in life: "Crocodile on my feet / Fox fur on my 
back / Bowtie `round my neck / That's why they call me the gangsta 
mack / In the Cadillac!! Yeah!"  Yet, on this album, Big Boi give us a 
glimpse of an alternative mind track, showcasing a more diverse 
musical resonance.  He shows us his range, moving from the smooth,
honey sounds of the soulful "The Way You Move" to the MC flows
on "Tomb of the Boom", which features notables such as Ludacris 
and Big Gipp.  Blending the gospel laden spiritual affirmation of "Church,"
the rock guitar rifts of "Bust" and the politically-oriented "War," Big Boi 
gives us a truly complete and thoroughly enjoyable album.

The Love Below

Opening the album with the cocktail lounge jazz of "Love Hater", this 
track give us a glimpse of what we can expect from The Love Below...
rich sounds, creative lyrics, comedy, love, and truly wonderful music.  
The Love Below takes us on a musical exploration of the concept of 
love, the incredible heights, the inevitable lows and everything in between.

Andre takes the rap genre to another level, leaving behind all the 
traditional concepts that have come to define rappers today.  What 
Andre creates is something unique, distinct from the current wave of 
rappers in love (i.e. Ja Rule, 50 Cent and Fabolous).  His authenticity 
challenges contemporary notions of rap and its inherent limitations.  Each 
song on The Love Below is well worth mentioning and the nature of the 
album dictates that each track builds on the last, touching on varying 
aspects of relationships.  

On his part, Dre begins his relationship with a bang, finding his lady and
taking her home on "Spread" and dealing with the morning after on the 
"Where's My Panties" interlude.  The following song is perhaps the silkiest
track on the album..."Protégé" is a smooth account of the ideal woman.  
The song opens with Andre's computerized voice layered on top a 
soft guitar rift.  And when the baseline hits at about the 50th second, 
there's no stopping the groove...

Its seems that it all comes together on "Hey Ya", the song that has received
the most airplay, for good reason.  "Hey Ya" is an modern mixture of
classic soul and 70's funk, blended with Dre rap.  The accompanying
video is just as enjoyable.  However, the sleeper of the album may be the
track "Roses," which is an account of a love gone wrong and the feelings
that follow.  While the rest of the tracks may supercede in popularity, 
"Roses" may be the greatest mix of comedy, relationships and funk on 
the album...the hook is great.


Conclusion
 
With the current rap scene being rather stale, stagnant, and uncreative, 
the release of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below give us a fresh alternative 
to the dime-a-dozen rapper out on the market today.

While album was released back in September, there are too many 
complexities and layers on this double CD that it would have been unfair 
and dishonest to write a review without taking the time to absorb the 
numerous musical elements.  And everytime I listen to this CD, the greater 
my appreciation grows, as I continue to discover lyrics, beats and sounds.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is the most original rap album in the recent
past and continues the success of the Outkast crew.  


Grade: 4.0 Nacatamales (and I'll even throw in a side of gallo pinto)




- December 19, 2003 

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