It takes a few listens to sink in, but on Aquemini, Outkast have pulled off a rare feat in hip-hop: they've made a good record that's a masterpiece of subtlety. What's more, it's their third record, and they've yet to fall into a rut--and that alone puts them in line for an award. The Organized Noize production crew is sublime, working with live musicians and crafting hook-filled soundscapes that complement Big Boi and Andre Benjamin's melodic patter. (See "Rosa Parks,""Chonkyfire," and the epic "Liberation," which features Erykah Badu, Cee Lo, and Big Rube--and clocks in at just under nine minutes.) Classy and intelligent, Outkast haven't sacrificed anything in their quest to make challenging, innovative hip-hop that forgoes idle boasting for the duo's message. A sample, from the title track: "Now, question: Is every nigga wit dreads for the cause? / Is every nigga wit golds for the fall? Naw / So don't get caught in appearance."--Randy Silver

uuid:	5472E297-8062-4583-B95E-B78B13B3CBAB
upc:	0730082605328
tracklisting:	Hold On, Be Strong Return of the "G" Rosa Parks Skew It on the Bar-B Aquemini Synthesizer - George Clinton Slump West Savannah Art of Storytellin' (Pt. 1) Art of Storytellin' (Pt. 2) Mamacita Spottieottiedopaliscious Y'all Scared - Big Gipp Nathaniel Liberation - C-Lo Chonkyfire
title:	Aquemini
rating:	4
purchase date:	09-05-2005
published:	29-09-1998
price:	$18.98
net Rating:	5
last lookup time:	137384640
genre:	Gangsta & Hardcore Southern Rap Experimental Rap
fullTitle:	Aquemini
currentValue:	$6.55
created:	137384640
country:	us
aspect:	Audio CD Explicit Lyrics
asin:	B00000BKI1
artist:	OutKast