#500: OutKast, ‘Aquemini’

 Hello! If you’ve read the Introduction to the Top 500 post I did, then you’ll know what this is about. If you haven’t seen that let me explain: the Rolling Stone website has a list of the top 500 greatest albums of all time based on a poll of people in the music industry.

If you would like to see that article click Here. 

I found this list interesting and decided to listen to all 500 to answer for myself the question of “do I have a favorite genre of music?”.

For each album I am answering these three questions:

1. Did I like/could I recommend the Album overall?

2. Is there a standout track?

3. Would I seek out more from the artist?

I just finished listening to number 500 on the list: OutKast, ‘Aquemini’ and here are my thoughts.

It is not something I think I would have found on my own just browsing for music nor is it something I have ever heard being recommended by anyone in my social groups. That being said, it is funky and full of fun sounds that I haven’t really heard before or at least in this combination. It is considered rap and the lyrics reference contemporary things from when it was written and released in 1998 but the main ideas are definitely not dated. They reference drug deals, experiences with the police, and racism. Overall I admire the sounds and the artist’s abilities as a rapper and in how they are presenting their life experiences to the world.

In answering my first question “did I like/could I recommend the Album overall?” I would say yes. It has its own life and sound to it that I think is undoubtedly unique and likeable. I feel like it is something I could recommend to someone who likes rap or someone who doesn’t really listen to rap and is looking for something completely new to them. I think even if someone isn’t the biggest fan of rap that the funky sounds would help draw them in like they drew me in.

Second, “Is there a standout track?”. All of the tracks seem to all have the artist's touch on them and feel really personal so choosing one is hard because they seem to have been given the same amount of time and care into making them. So while I don’t think there is one standout track, the most memorable to me is titled “Rosa Parks” because of its catchy chorus lines.

Finally, “Would I seek out more from the Artist?”. I am listening to all of these to learn more about my musical taste and because it is the first Album on the list I kinda feel bad to say that this isn’t quite my type of music. I love the funky sounds and I appreciate the personal story the artists share in their lyrics. But I don’t think rap is quite my thing and so feel that while I might listen to the music again on occasion, I don't think I will actively hunt down more of it. This is just how I feel about it and I don’t want anyone to think that I’m against the music or the message, it just isn’t my personal preference.

Thank you so much for reading my thoughts and I hope you join me in listening to the top 500. Please let me know what you think in the comments below and subscribe to see more from me. 

All the posts on the albums are under the labels of Music and 500 albums.