Customer Reviews

Aquemini

5 star:		(269)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Outkast has done for Hip Hop what Radiohead did for Rock (if you can even still call it that) with OK Computer. Listen, Wu Tang is amazing, The Roots are brilliant, Mos Def, Snoop, Dre, Nasty Nas, Busta, Talib, Beasties, Goodie Mob, Gang Starr... there's a lot of great artists in Hip Hop today but Outkast shines above all of them. Their message couldn't be more on point, their rhymes and delivery aren't even human and must be something they picked up in the outer reaches of the galaxy on ATliens, and the production (sorry RZA) is the best in the business. Also, look at what they get out of their guests... Rae on Skew it on the Bar-B... I've never heard anything that can match that style... and how about George Clinton on Synthesizer? But even Big Boi (who is incredible) can't touch Andre. On Return of the Gangsta, Rosa Parks, Skew it, Synthesizer, and Da Art of Storytellin' Parts I and II he's just... whatever, I can't find a superlative that does him justice. Buy the album. It doesn't get any better than this.

Aquemini is a 9 year old album, but is a still a masterpiece. Anyone who says there are no lyricists in tha south...I guess yall dont remember how sick Outkast was. Outkast was tha second duo to lyrically outshine every group in hip hop (Rakim & Eric B came 1st, of course) Anywayz back 2 tha review, I cant get enough of Aquemini, so much so, I've lost it three times and re-bought it each time. Lemme break it down: Nice musical intro. "Return of tha G" is sort of a poetic track, very real though. "Rosa Parks" was one of tha catchiest singles in 98' cant even lie bout that, great song. "Skew it on tha Bar B" is one of my favorite tracks on tha album. Raekwon spits a rediculous verse. "Sythesizer" is also one of my favorite tracks with a great beat. "Da Art Of Storytellin 1& 2 " are my two favorite tracks on tha whole album, they take story tellin to a whole notha level.
I respect Outkast because they keep it real, extremely original, and gangsta all at tha same damn time. I mostly respect Andre 3000 because he's living proof that you should never judge a book by it's cover. Outkast is ATL's first shinning star, just like Scarface is our's, so alwayz show dem OG's tha respect. AQUEMINI is one of the most lyrical albums I own, so If you like Outkast, you should really already have this album. Lil Cris , 100%

Outkast's Aquemini was the epic album that rap needed and what I needed. To see that rap hasn't just become talk about guns, drugs, gangs and killing. This album shows some real meaning and Andre and Big Boi let you go deep inside there minds, for a look at pure genius.

It starts off with the melodic "Return of the 'G'" Which states that they are still here. "Rosa Parks" follows it being the big hit that made it to MTV and all that, which made me buy the album in the first place. Next up comes the superb "Skew It On The Bar-B" w/Raekwon, this song also made it to MTV, and they spit some interesting lyrics on here.

Next up comes the most interesting, important, deep songs on the album the title cut "Aquemini" with one of the most deep verses ever...Don't get caught up in appearance it's Outkast Aquemini another black experience....Lovely. Then comes a more bouncy track with the always amazing George Clinton "Synthesizer" telling about crazy stuff like fertelizing babies so you have septuplets. Then comes the hometown cuts "Slump" and West Savannah" which are both very tight.

"Da Art of Storytellin' Parts 1 & 2 are two seperate songs, and they both have very detailed stories. Like Andre talks about a girl he once knew Sasha Sasha Thumper Thumper! Its kinda sad. Then comes 2 slower cuts "Mamacita" and "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" which are a nice switch up. "Y'all Scared" w/T-Mo, Big Gipp and Khujo from the Goodie Mob, is just telling everyone if there scared...just say you scared! Then the skit "Nathaniel" of a gangsta rapper, just showing there's no need for it. "Liberation is a tight song almost 9 minutes long with some nice lyrics by Cee-Lo, Erykah Badu and Big Rube, it's very very melodic, harmonious and just sweet. Then the song that was perfect to end an epic album like this does just that. "Chonkyfire" ends it with a half rock half rap blend, and it's really nice.

At the end of that song, in the background it goes and the winner isssssss....OUTKAST! Crowd goes wild....they truly are worthy of some type of award for making one of the most brilliant albums ever.

Outkast has always been one of my favorite hip hop duoes. I love all their albums, but Aquemini is the best of 'em all, it's simply untouchable. Even though it's a bit "old", it still ahead of it's time today, where hip hop is ruined by "artists" such as 50, Fab, Lil' John amoung others.
Andre 3000 has amazing lyrics and Big Boi delivers the craziest flow ever. The whole album is genious, but the standout tracks are:
"Aquemini", "Slump", "Spottieottiedopalicious", "Liberation" and of course "Chunky Fire". these songs are rated 13 out of 10.
What i love about outkast, is their ability to combine hip hop with "music", with that I mean that some of the tracks are more sung tracks than rap, fx "Liberation" feat. Cee-Lo & Eryka Badu, where they all sing and not rap.
In my eyes, you can't call yourself a hip hop fan, if you do not own Aquemini, it's a must-have album, and there is something for everyone
i can't wait for Idlewood

This is the best album by Outkast. That alone is reason enough to make it an automatic purchase. But not only is it the best album by the best hip-hop duo ever, it is one in a handful of the most important rap albums made in the last 15 years. The lyrics, beats, and overall vibe of the album transcends music as a whole. It's an experience, if you will, that can connect to the core of every human, no matter what your race, religion, financial status, or walk of life. In the mist of this, however, Outkast stays true to who they are and their dirty south roots. Both rappers were at their peaks, musically, at this point in their lives and each brought different and amazing skill sets to the table to combine and create this masterpiece. Big Boi never wavers, always bringing the truest and purest street speak to your ears, keeping the thug in the album and the streets the object of everything he says. And Andre brings the creativity and the style to the album, meshing with Big Boi in a symbiotic cacophony of musical favors and styles. And not to dis Big Boi, but Andre may actually be the most underrated rap artist in the history of the genre. If I'm making the starting line up for a hip-hop all-star team it would go something like this: Jay-Z, 2Pac, Nas, Chuck D, and Andre 3000 (with the Wu Tang Clan and Biggie coming off the bench). That's how much I think of Andre. He reaches out and demands your attention with every word he speaks, telling you exactly how it is and how he sees the world, with a flow almost poetry-like in nature. When we look back 100 years from now, in this era of hip-hop, people will see this album and hear the lyrics of Andre (as well as Big Boi) and realize what true hip-hop was and meant at that point in history. With so much crap being produced over the last few years in rap, particularly in commercial hip-hop, this album is breath of fresh air that will always remain relevant and never become dated. It is a true testament to the greatness of hip-hop as hip-hop is supposed to be. This is the best cd I own.

Best Tracks:

Rosa Parks
Aquemini
Slump
Da Art of Storytellin' (1 and 2)
Liberation
Chonkyfire

After Releasing ATLiens in '96 which is considered by me one of the top 3 greatest albums ever, it seemed nearly impossible to even come close to another album like ATLiens. With all the contreversy surronding Speakerboxxx/Love Below it is good to look back at the 90's and see Outkast's first 3 albums which are all 9+/10, 5 Mics worthy:

1. Hold On, Be Strong- Intro

2. Return of The "G"- The song really showcases Dre, his flow is on point, Big Bwoy is found on the second first but I find myself not enjoying his verse as much as I usually do. Good simple beat with some noises in the back that play with the mind. Lyrics= 9 Beat=10 Flow=9 Total= 9.3

3. Rosa Parks- One of the more popular Outkast songs with a great beat, hook and lyrics. AH-HA baby uhhuh ya ya baby I said Ah-Ha Hush that Fuss, everybody move to the back of the bus. Do you wanna bump and slump with us? We the type of people that make the club get crunk. Lyrics=10 Beat=10 Flow=10 Total=10

4. Skew it on the Bar-B- Raar Ya. Featuring one of my favorite MC's RaEKwOn The Chef, (Wu Wu Wu ), he spits a sick verse, the beat is a crazy dance mix and the hook is one that u gotta sing a long to and everyone comes hard on it. Lyrics=10 (Raekwon), Beat=9, Flow=10. Total= 9.67

5. Aquemini- The title track is easily, the best, song on this album. A slow smooth beat, one of my favorite of all time. Perfection of lyrics, relaxed flow. Perfect. Lyrics=10, Beat=10, Flow=10. Total=10

6. Synthezier- A weird song, but you have to enjoy the synthizer of course to enjoy this song. Dre's second verse is pretty sick. Lyrics=8 Beat= 9 Flow=8 Total=8.3

7. Slump- At this point in the album and on (Excluding Da Art's of storytellin) the cd really begins to become a southern album with real hard beats that you'd expect from Organized Noise. It's just a slow southern jam. Lyrics=9 Beat=10 Flow=10. Total-9.67

8. West Savanah- A solo by Big Boi, probably my favorite song in my car, one of the best flows I've ever heard on a song, and another good down south classic. Lyrics=10 Beat=10 Flow=10 Total-10

9. Da art of storytellin' pt 1- The classic Single that tells the story of two girls and problems they went through with the crew. It's a classic if you haven't heard it you probably don't know much aboot rap. Lyrics=10 Beat=9 Flow=9.5 Total-9.5

10. Da Art of storytellin' pt 2- A little 2 minute follow up to pt 1 with a more up pace beat and no chorus. Not much to say about it, it's d.a.s.2. Lyrics=9 Beat=10 Flow=9.5 Total- 9.5

11. Mamcita- Never really felt this song, I think this is the one that hurts the album's overall rating. The first verse by whomever is whack. Lyrics=7 Beat=5 Flow=8 Total-6.67

12. SpottieOttieDopaliscious- One of the first Dungeon Family/Outkast songs I heard. No real rapping going on here, it's mostly a long song of complimation of a great southern beat and some horns. Lyrics= 8 Beat=10 Flow= 8 Total-8.57

13. Ya'll Scared- Featuring the Goodie Mob(Check out Soul Food) I don't like the beat so right away it's hard for me to like it. Lyrics=9 Beat= 7 Flow=8 Total-8

14. Nathaniel- Interlude

15. Liberation- One long ass song. Don't really like it though. Lyrics= 9 Beat-8 Flow-9 Total- 8.67

16. Chonkyfire- haha this song is crazy. I always love outkast cause they play with your brain. It's the perfect song to end the album with. Only thing I dont like about it is how the beat changes when Big Boi starts to rap. Lyrics= 9.5 Beat= 9 Flow=10 Total- 9.5

FINAL TOTALS:
Lyrics=9.1 Beat=9 Flow=9.2 OVERALL=9.09/10

(...)

This is a really great album and my favorite from Outkast. The title track is one of my all time favorite songs. It has a remarkably mellow, organic feel and simply amazing poetry from Andre 3000. Other key songs are "Skew It On The Barbie" with Raekwon turning in a great guest appearance over one of Outkast's most aggressive (at this point in their career) beats, "The Art Of Storytellin Part 1" with it's dreamy production and great lyrics, "West Savannah" with it's nice blaxploitation bass/horn beat, and the guitar laced closer, "Chonkyfire." There's other great songs on here too but I'm not going to bore you. The reason why this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is that there are a few weak songs later in the album like "Mamacita" and "Yall Scared." Still, this is a great album from an always unpredictable and enjoyable group. Check it out.

Outkast blew me away from the beginning...this is a hip hop group that transcended their genre in the most innovative way; SICK flows and tight beats-five CLASSIC albums under their belt: "Southernplayalistic", "ATLiens" "Aquemini" "Stankonia" "Speakerboxx/Love Below" it's a shame that groups like this come rarely...trailblazers, pimpz, hustlas & innovators...that is OUTKAST. Who knew that a couple of country boyz, the greatest dynamic hip hop duo ever, could lay it down like dis??

I can't add anymore to what's already been said about this magnificent album accept that it is a MUST for your collection! A+++++

Following 1996's ATLiens, everyone wondered if anyone could possibly follow up especially at a time when everyone was flipping their script to gain attention and sales.

Starting off with a short intro, we come into "Return of the G". Everyone was stunned with 3000's performance. Yea, people knew Andre was a skilled MC but his verses here buried everything he had done. This is certainly a career defining song for him. "Rosa Parks" was a certain classic track with experimenting with the harmonic here. Indeed, I wish everyone has heard this already. Raekwon shows up on "Skew It on the Bar-B" joining to make an excellent collaboration. An album highlight with the title track, "Aquemini" continues this well done run of songs. The famous hook should be known already and the beat is one of the best layering done. Another one of those experimental tracks, "Synthesizer", George Clinton ties this track nicely. "Slump" shows some street struggle lyrics. "West Savannah" is the only solo track here, done by Big Boi. Carried it through.

Even though Outkast has done very well storytelling songs, both parts "Da Art of Storytellin'" showcase this as one of their best. Part 1, unfortunately, doesn't have the Slick Rick feature as seen in the video single. Unfortunately, the perfect glass is shattered by "Mamacita". Its sad, cause this was becoming one of the best runs in hip hop until this. "SpottieOttieDopaliscious"(and we all thought their debut was crazy!), this is really an interlude with all the talking. At just over 7 minutes, there are 3 verses and all 3 are short. "Y'All Scared" brings everything back on top with a great Dungeon family cut. I'm not sure why "Nathaniel" is here but its only over a minute long. "Liberation" is more of a spoken word and you won't get a complain from me, but I've never been a fan of spoken word. Take it both ways. "Chonkyfire" ends everything on an excellent note. Again an experimental track, only two verses and it runs out until a small skit shows up.

And there it is. The plato to making a classic. Two songs shorter and this would have been the best, hands down, album hip hop would ever see. Yup, it couldn't be duplicated. I remember when this came out though, everyone was kind of hit with this in some way. It was just different from what was hot. Outkast took a different route and it paid off, leading to becoming the world's biggest hip hop group.

The duo of Andre Benjamin and Big Boi have really out done themsevles this time with the their third album, Aquemini. The world may not have been ready for such an influential album but it was released anyway. From the first song till the last, the lyrics do not let up. Andre 3000 has really proved himself as an artist in this album. Aquemini had high expectations as it hit stores and not to worry it did not dissapoint. Just like in some of the first albums they showed that one of a kind Andre 3000 and Big Boi style. Some of my song favorites would have to include "Rosa Parks" and "Return of the G" as each of these songs could be replay for hours just listening to the lyrics. It is no different with any other song on the album as it really provides you with a sense of who Outkast is. The rythmes and lyrics that Andre has composed are out of this world. I have never seen or heard of group like Outkast putting it all out on the edge like this. Outkast is possibly the best rap group of all times and this is a must have album just like every other album they have produced.