“The onstage is just a kid having fun. It’s an outlet, playing dress-up, going out and having fun. It’s really kind of like kid instincts. My true self, Andre Benjamin, is more reserved than Andre 3000.” — Andre 3000
Formed
1992 – Atlanta, Georgia.
Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000)
Net Worth: $50 million
André Lauren Benjamin, better known as André 3000, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, dancer and philanthropist. He is best known for being a part of hip hop duo Outkast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi.
Antwan Patton (aka Big Boi)
Net Worth: $50 million
Antwan The American rapper, songwriter, actor, and record producer André Patton, better known by his stage name Big Boi, is most known for being one half of the hip hop group Outkast with André 3000.
Both Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton attended Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta, Georgia’s East Point neighborhood. Up until they made the decision to combine their talents as Outkast, they were regular lyrical foes. Local producers Organized Noize went after the pair to help create the core of the Dungeon Family group. After making a cameo on a TLC remix, Outkast’s first single, “Player’s Ball” was released through Atlanta-based LaFace Records.
In the end, “Player’s Ball” topped the national rap chart, appeared on the LaFace Christmas album, and made it to the pop top 40 in 1994. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, a full-length album, debuted in 1994 and debuted in the top 20 pop albums. The successful singles “Atliens” and “Elevators (Me and You).” were featured on the two follow-up albums, Atliens and Aquemini, which both peaked at #2 on the albums list. Outkast was swiftly overtaking other Southern hip-hop acts in terms of commercial success.
Music critics hailed the 1998 release of Aquemini as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. Rosa Parks, a pioneer in the civil rights movement, sued the group over the song “Rosa Parks.” Parks objected to the lyrics’ profanity because she thought Outkast had used her name and identity to sell themselves. The issue was resolved out of court in 2005 following dismissals, Johnnie Cochran’s intervention, and a Supreme Court decision.
Wesley Clark’s casual reference of Outkast in the fall of 2003 was used in a campaign ad to demonstrate Clark’s familiarity with youth culture.
Outkast released their fourth album, Stankonia, in 2000. Again, all of the reviews were glowing, and for the third time running, the duo debuted at #2 on the pop albums chart. The album included “Ms. Jackson.” Outkast’s debut #1 pop single. According to rumors, Andre 3000’s split from singer Erykah Badu served as inspiration for the song. Eventually, 4 million copies of Stankonia were sold.
The release of Outkast’s subsequent album took three years. Speakerboxxx / The Love Below is essentially a 2-disc compilation from the pair that contains 2 individual albums. Big Boi’s Speakerboxxx is essentially a rap party record. Andre 3000’s song The Love Below delves further into funk and pop. Outkast’s debut #1 pop album became a success at last.
The first two singles from the album, “The Way You Move” and “Hey Ya!” were made available almost simultaneously. Both songs peaked at number one on the pop charts, with “The Way You Move” overtaking “Hey Ya!” for the top spot. Over ten million copies of the album were sold. The duet Speakerboxxx/The Love Below closed the Grammy Awards presentation with a slightly off-putting performance of “Hey Ya!” that angered the Native American Cultural Center. In 2004, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below received the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Although the duo disbanded in 2006, Andre 3000 and Big Boi have both participated in a number of musical and acting endeavors on their own.
