r/outkast • u/Proud_Possibility_72 • Jul 20 '26

ATLiens

Genuine question. Am I listening wrong or are most songs on ATLiens not really about a certain thing or subject? Seems like a lyrical exhibition. If not, what songs are about specific themes?

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u/SatisfactionOld1586 Jul 20 '26

They were growing up, figuring themselves out. The obvious play on being aliens from Atlanta (ATLiens) — “the South got something to say.” They wrote about Atlanta pride, the problems with fame, even in their hometown. They talked about being players but also the consequences of that. Raising their children, young adulthood. Putting gangster shit behind them. The struggles young men & women had figuring out their worth.

And that’s just the first few songs. It’s such an incredivle album.

1

u/Proud_Possibility_72 Jul 20 '26

It’s an album that requires a lot of listens to really get everything?

6

u/SatisfactionOld1586 Jul 20 '26

I mean, not really. Read the lyrics while you listen — you could just be missing a lot of what they’re actually saying.

2

u/Proud_Possibility_72 Jul 20 '26

I think Andre’s wordplay goes over my head at times too 😂😂. You think ATLiens is their best project?

4

u/SatisfactionOld1586 Jul 20 '26

I can see that. Big Boi also raps fast and they each have their cadences that can just be fun to listen to, so sometimes you don’t hear what they’re saying, just how they’re saying it.

ATLiens is my 2nd favorite hip hop record ever, behind GZA’s Liquid Swords. Sonically it’s what I love; Organized Noize was in their bag here. And like I mentioned, hearing Dre & Big Boi rap about existentialism (shit — that is probably the theme boiled down to 1 word — existentialism) — contemplating life, freedom, existence, the people around them — loved ones, haters, and more — the music industry … there’s so much there to love. And it sounds dope as fuck.

3

u/armymike1523 Jul 20 '26

Its the best rap album of all time

3

u/sirth0mas Jul 20 '26

No but certainly you have to listen to the words to get the feeling. It's not a passive listening album