February 21, 2001

Outkast : Ms Jackson

Could be the first number one for hip-hop's great psychedelicists...

Funny how Outkast are being cast by the British press as newcomers. They have, for several years now, been one of rap's few consistently innovative forces. 'Ms Jackson' is an excellent first release from their fourth album
'Stankonia'. A plea to their expectant baby mother's mama, letting her know they'll be responsible baby daddies, the track is sparse, funky, simplistic and soulful, with dextrous rhyming that would put E-40 to shame.

Wacky and inventive, like P-Funk, it creates a vibe completely of its own with elements of early-80's soul and a redefining futuristic electro sound. It's good that Outkast now have an international audience. The rap kings of reinvention can lay claim that all of their four albums are genuine classics. Those that lament the lack of movement in the hip-hop genre need to get a back catalogue of Outkast's work to appreciate hip-hop at its best.

A classic track from one of hip-hop's great bands.

Derek A Bardowell

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