OutKast’s genre-defying approach combined Southern hip hop with psychedelic funk and R&B, yielding timeless records and crossover hits that dominated radio and critics’ lists. André 3000 and Big Boi remain celebrated for OutKast’s artistic innovation and cultural influence.
OutKast's name was chosen to reflect feeling outside the mainstream — the stylized spelling OutKast became a signature brand for the duo and Atlanta rap's rise.
Practice Questions
Q:Who are the members of OutKast?
A:Andre 3000 and Big Boi.
OutKast is a duo consisting of André “Andre 3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, two Atlanta-based rappers who brought unique lyrical styles and inventive production that helped redefine Southern hip-hop in the 1990s.
Q:When did OutKast form?
A:In 1992.
OutKast formed in 1992 after Andre 3000 and Big Boi met at high school in Atlanta, Georgia. They soon signed with LaFace Records, launching their career as one of hip-hop’s most innovative duos.