Aquemini
by OutKast

I have trouble understanding why this album isn't universally recognized as their best when it's far more consistent than Stankonia. Stankonia loses its steam after putting all its best songs towards the beginning and it just doesn't reach the watermark set by this album.
I also don't understand why Da Art OF Storytelling (Part 1) doesn't get the acclaim it deserves because it's a fucking awesome song.

funk and politics. listen to it at night when you're having a smoke. (Edited)

Outkast's best. Creative concepts, great lyrics/wordplay, amazingly creative & innovative production. Amazing eclectic collection of great songs (Edited)

OutKast - Aquemini is an album that has achieved legendary status- and deservedly so. They draw inspiration from different genres and combine them to create a unique sound that doesn't sound dated at all despite more than two decades having gone by since it came out. Hold on, Be Strong is a calm intro that doesn't prepare you at all for what's about to follow. In Return of the "G" the theme from the Midnight Express adds a whole new dimension, not to mention Andre delivers one of his finest verses. Rosa Parks is a nice reference to a historical moment for human rights and the fight againist discrimination based on race, but the harmonica is what really steals the show. Skew It on the Bar-B confirms their ambition to attract a wide audience with various backgrounds ("Old school players to new school fools") and of course features Raekwon. The title track is an ode to the strong bond that has formed between Andre and Big Boi("Me and my nigga we roll together like Batman and Robin"). The next three songs, even though they contribute some always timely commentary regarding the future of society and the influence of technology (Synthesizer), or about life on the streets (Slump), or bring some tales from West Savannah, which is Big Boi's hometown, signify a small drop (nothing too bad, still way above average, maybe it has to do with the absence of Andre from two out of these three.). Da Art Of Storytellin' (Part 1) is exactly what it promises to be. Two stories, both very interesting, Andre's is stronger, the tragic ending hits really hard and contains their most iconic line (I said, "What you wanna be?" She said, "Alive"). Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 2) provides another change of direction, leading us to the Apocalypse. Mamacita is the most heavily criticised track. It isn't that bad, but it pales in comparison to everything else. SpottieOttieDopaliscious sees the album take another turn, as it gives us a taste of the night life through a reggae-ish vibe. Y’All Scared features two Goodie Mob rappers as guests, but Andre is the man one more time ("At age fifteen they start smokin' Billy Clint' Now he's twenty-one and wants to know where the time went Hey, hey, hey, what's the haps? Well see your time elapsed"). Nathaniel gives an insight into life in jail and is nicely tied to the next song ("Liberation") which - as its name suggests - explores the concept of freedom. Finally, Chonkyfire is a guitar-heavy closer. (Edited)

From junodog4 TOP 100 COMMENTER 06/24/2012 16:34 | #45284 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Ridiculous. This is OutKast at their most free. They didn't have the weight of the media upon them. They were just the leading edge of funky, creative, Southern rap. So many layers to their sound; lyrically, beats, rhymes, different sounds. This is the shit. On par with the next two OutKast albums.