Outkast - Stankonia

Stankonia is the fourth studio album by American hip-hop duo Outkast, released on October 31, 2000 through LaFace Records. Following the success of Aquemini, which helped bring Southern hip-hop to a wider audience, Outkast recorded Stankonia in their own Atlanta studio, allowing for greater creative freedom and musical experimentation.

The album blends a wide variety of genres, including drum and bass, gospel, rock, salsa, funk, and psychedelia, while incorporating local Atlanta musicians discovered in the city’s vibrant club scene. André 3000 experimented with melodic vocals alongside traditional rapping, creating a unique dynamic with Big Boi. Lyrically, Stankonia addresses topics such as politics, misogyny, and personal introspection with irreverent humor and insight.

Stankonia debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling over 530,000 copies in its first week. The album produced major singles including B.O.B, Ms. Jackson, and So Fresh, So Clean, with Ms. Jackson reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Stankonia received universal critical acclaim, earned Outkast two Grammy Awards, and was later ranked number 359 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. This album remains a landmark release in hip-hop and a must-have for collectors and fans.