5 Blazing Hot OutKast Performances
After months of rumors, Coachella finally confirmed that OutKast are reuniting at the annual festival this year. Today, it was announced that they’ll return to New York City for the annual Governor’s Ball. It’s still unclear if the Atlanta duo plans on releasing new recordings or launching a whole tour, but given they’ve been completely gone since 2006’s Idlewild, anticipation is certainly high for their return in any fashion.
See Where OutKast’s ‘Stankonia’ Ranks on Our 100 Best Albums of the 2000s
Andre 3000 did little to hide his dislike of touring back in the day and OutKast never emphasized their live performances, but they did put on some incredible shows in the 1990s and early 2000s. Here are five great performances.
1. “Rosa Parks”
OutKast stopped by the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show All That in 1999 to play “Rosa Parks.” It’s preceded by a brief “Latanya and Lanessha Inconvenience Store” skit. If you were 12 years old back then, you know exactly what that means. If you weren’t, those words probably seem like gibberish.
2. “B.O.B.”
The debut single from Stankonia stiffed when it first came out, but it’s since been seen as one of OutKast’s absolute best works. This performance was taped at SOB’s in New York City. It’s a tiny room and they absolutely destroyed the place.
3. “Ms. Jackson”
OutKast had an enormous crossover hit in 2000 with “Ms. Jackson.” It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was all over the radio and MTV for months and months. Here is their performance of the song from the World Aids Day Concert in 2000.
4. “Roses”
What’s more hip-hop than Paul Shaffer? The Letterman band leader played organ on “Roses” when OutKast stopped by the show to play their 2003. It’s the only song on The Love Below to feature Big Boi.
5. “The Way You Move/Ghetto Musick/Hey Ya”
OutKast cleaned up at the 2004 Grammy’s, winning Best Rap Album and Album of the Year, a very rare feat for a hip-hop record. They performed a medley of “The Way You Move,” “Ghetto Musick” and “Hey Ya” at the ceremony. At the time, nobody knew it would be their last major performance for a good decade.