ATLiens

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

ATLiens · OutKast's second album was released in 1996. The debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik had made the group known, but at the 1995 Source Awards the duo were booed. André 3000 answered that the South had something to say. The label gave the two more creative freedom, and they recorded in various studios in Atlanta and New York. They wrote some thirty-five songs and kept fourteen. For the first time they produced themselves, under the name Earthtone III, alongside Organized Noize.

The record sounds spacious and calm, with lots of echo and reverb from dub and reggae, and gospel influences. Elevators (Me & You) was the first song they made together, and Wheelz of Steel stands out for Mr. DJ's scratching. The title combines ATL, Atlanta, with aliens. Critics read in it a feeling of alienation from American society. The record was received with praise.

Listening

Track list

1. 1You May Die (Intro)1:06Apple Music ↗
2. 2Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)2:42Apple Music ↗
3. 3ATLiens3:51Apple Music ↗
4. 4Wheelz of Steel4:03Apple Music ↗
5. 5Jazzy Belle4:12Apple Music ↗
6. 6Elevators (Me & You)4:25Apple Music ↗
7. 7Ova da Wudz3:48Apple Music ↗
8. 8Babylon4:25Apple Music ↗
9. 9Wailin'1:59Apple Music ↗
10. 10Mainstream5:18Apple Music ↗
11. 11Decatur Psalm3:58Apple Music ↗
12. 12Millennium3:09Apple Music ↗
13. 13E.T. (Extraterrestrial)3:07Apple Music ↗
14. 1413th Floor / Growing Old6:51Apple Music ↗
15. 15Elevators (ONP 86 Mix)4:37Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗