Yet another reason why Outkast is pretty much better than everybody

The members of Outkast are what I like to refer as the O.G.'s of Southern hip-hop. Sure, there are other groups that might fit the description better. They may have been around longer or even been more influential, but none did what Outkast managed to do in my book. With Big Boi's forthcoming solo effort and Andre 3000 popping up randomly with no album in sight, it leaves me reminiscing on a time when it wasn't an earth shattering event to see both members in the same place and on the same stage.

Now, they've consistently put out hits since their debut but there is something you absolutely have to understand about this group. It doesn't end and begin with songs like "Hey, Ya!" Some of their best works were never singles. Their sound is distinctly southern with a twist: catchy, fun but far more cerebral than songs that ask you to simply lean and rock with it.

The best example I can think of is the song "Liberation" off of their Aquemini album (a classic that every hip-hop lover needs to own, no excuses.) I'll always remember the first time I heard it. I was in middle school and my older cousin brought over a tape and told me to listen to it. Now I may sound a little dramatic, but this song changed how I viewed music as a whole. I can honestly say I had never heard any other rap song like it. In fact, the most unique thing about it is that there's no rapping in it. It's one part confessional, two parts gospel and an equal part opera and spoken word. Basically everything the typical rap song isn't.

It features some of the Dungeon Family's shining stars like Ceel-lo and Big Rube along with Erykah Badu and tackles everything from the drawbacks of fame to family issues. It's probably one of the most thought provoking pieces of music I've ever heard in my life. Imagine that coming from the South. Don't believe me, I implore you to take a listen: