Though they were likely lost on casual hip-hop fans, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was full of subtle indications that OutKast were a lot more inventive than your average Southern playas. Their idiosyncrasies bubbled to the surface on their sophomore effort, ATLiens, an album of spacy sci-fi funk performed on live instruments. Largely abandoning the hard-partying playa characters of their debut, Dre and Big Boi develop a startlingly fresh, original sound to go along with their futuristic new personas. George Clinton's space obsessions might seem to make P-Funk obvious musical source material, but ATLiens ignores the hard funk in favor of a smooth, laid-back vibe that perfectly suits the duo's sense of melody. The album's chief musical foundation is still soul, especially the early-'70s variety, but other influences begin to pop up as well. Some tracks have a spiritual, almost gospel feel (though only in tone, not lyrical content), and the Organized Noize production team frequently employs the spacious mixes and echo effects of dub reggae in creating the album's alien soundscapes. In addition to the striking musical leap forward, Dre and Big Boi continue to grow as rappers; their flows are getting more tongue-twistingly complex, and their lyrics more free-associative. Despite a couple of overly sleepy moments during the second half, ATLiens is overall a smashing success thanks to its highly distinctive style, and stands as probably OutKast's most focused work (though it isn't as wildly varied as subsequent efforts). The album may have alienated (pun recognized, but not intended) the more conservative wing of the group's fans, but it broke new ground for Southern hip-hop and marked OutKast as one of the most creatively restless and ambitious hip-hop groups of the '90s. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Unlike their debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, in which the two portrayed themselves as Southern pimps, many songs on ATLiens feature more unconventional subject matter for hip hop. It also has a notably more laid-back, spacey production sound, which they would continue to a certain extent on their follow-up album Aquemini. Two-thirds of the album is produced by Organized Noize, OutKast's primary production team. The rest is produced by Earthtone III, a production team that includes OutKast themselves and Mr. DJ.
It's deep. So deep that listening to 'ATLiens' you might feel like drowning, but the smooth vo-cals of Big Boi and the earthy flows of Andre always push you back up to the surface. They are players in the truest sense of the word; not just playing for ends but playing to win in the ultimate battle of life over death, good over bad, and righteousness over evil. Yet, it's not that heavy either. This album is nod your head music, shake your ass music. It makes you think and groove at the same time. If you don't want to be challenged by your hip-hop, 'ATLiens' is not the album for you; matter of fact OutKast is not the group for you. They refuse to be conventional in a world of formulaic mediocrity, which may make them harder to grasp but ultimately makes them that much better to listen to.[5]
—Steve Juon
While critically acclaimed, it would not be until they released Aquemini (1998) and most notably Stankonia (2000) that OutKast would receive significant mainstream popularity. The hit single "Elevators (Me & You)" was later included on the "Big Boi & Dre Present... OutKast" greatest hits album in 2001. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
Andre 3000, Big Boi, Big Gipp, Trina Broussard, Cool Breeze, Joi, Tamara & Whild Peach
12
"Millennium"
3:09
Organized Noize
Andre 3000, Big Boi & ShaJuanna Edghill
13
"E.T. (Extraterrestrial)"
3:07
OutKast/Earthtone Ideas
Andre 3000, Big Boi & Witchdoctor
14
"13th Floor/Growing Old"
6:51
Organized Noize
Andre 3000, Big Boi & Big Rube
15
"Elevators (Me & You) [ONP 86 Mix]"
4:36
Organized Noize
Andre 3000 & Big Boi
Sample credits
"Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)" contains a sample of "Danger, She's A Stranger" by The Five Stairsteps.
"Wheelz of Steel" contains a sample of "Focus III" by Focus (from the 1972 album Focus III).
"Jazzy Belle" contains a sample of "Prelude" by Lamont Dozier (from the 1974 album Black Bach).
"Elevators (Me & You)" contains a sample of "Come In Out of the Rain" by Parliament (from the album First Thangs) and SFX from the video game Super Mario Bros.
"Wailin" contains a sample of "To The Establishment" by Lou Bond.
"Mainstream" contains a sample of "Sesame Street" by Goodie Mob.
