Outkast Wins One for Hip Hop
So, what if they dressed like Indians?
COMMENTARY, Charles Jones,
YO! Youth Outlook, Feb 18, 2004
It’s been a week or so since this year’s Grammy Awards, and it’s just setting in for me: The realization that hip-hop – my culture and my music – have been recognized as the dominant force and best music in entertainment right now. Period. When Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was announced as the best album of the year, I was in my living room jumping up and down in celebration as if I had heard my name called.
I thought it was great and highly deserved for Missy Elliott’s Under Construction and ‘Kast’s Speakerboxxx… to receive nominations and I wanted Outkast to win but something in the back of my mind (like history) told me that “the man” just wouldn’t let two dope boys in a Cadillac ride off with the right to call themselves the best in the business. How many black musicians over the years have not only changed the game, but improved on it, and still were denied their status as one of, if not THE, elite. Something in me was positive that Oukast would get The Funk Bros./Sonny Rollins treatment.
As evidenced by Outkast’s inclusion in the “Church of Funk” performance set, they have not only revitalized hip-hop, but rejuvenated the mainstream music industry’s interest in other forms of Black music (such as tha funk). And are also in my opinion, the driving force behind the creation of the Grammy’s new “alternative hip-hop” category. While staying true to the music and culture of hip-hop, they have managed to become pioneers by expanding their musicality and originality beyond break-beats or stale samples and scratching/ singing/ yelling hooks, turf-tales and tough-talk.
By taking hip-hop to its known limits and dancing on the line, Outkast have become the personification of hip-hop at it’s finest. That’s why I was screaming like a mad idiot when they won, because hip-hop won. Because we won. Every MC at home writing a new rhyme, or standing in a cypher engaged in heated battle mastering his craft, every DJ and every would be producer in their kitchens cooking up their hottest beat now has a chance for their music to be recognized as the best in the business. A new door has been kicked in and there is no way they can ever shut it on us again.
This is bigger than Halle and Denzel getting the golden men. Because hip-hop is my culture and Outkast are my kind, because we’ve known for years how talented we were and could no longer be denied recognition. I know, It sounds good but can hip-hop be consistent and continue to dominate album charts and soundscans? Can hip-hoppers make music that will stand the test of time? The answer to both questions is: Yep. Been doin' it for years now.
The only thing I didn't like about Outkast concerning the Grammy’s was Andre 3000's choice of motif for his “Hey Ya” performance. I’m not offended (being part indigenous) but I was kind of disappointed. Not in his performance, mind you, but in his choice of outfit. If he wanted to go “native” he could have done more or – in this particular case – less, and it would have been cool and wouldn't have come off goofy or offensive, which is not the image that Outkast wants to put out there. Although I don't see at all why Native Americans would be upset that a black man dressed as “an Indian” (albeit a tacky one) in the first place.
Many -- some studies say more than half -- Black Americans have Native blood in their veins. Seminoles, in particular, where bolstered enough in numbers by runaway slaves that they are the only tribe that was able to fend off the white man and remain the only truly “free” tribe left in America. Every year at Mardi Gras “Black Indians” from around the nation come together and dress in the most flamboyant tribal wear imaginable and parade through the French Quarter. Our shared history of oppression is literally in our blood. So unless you’re a “fashion guru” – a black man in a tacky green Brave get-up is nothing to get upset about.
Besides, they won a Grammy for best album of the year. Not a Vh1 Fashion Award. 1 of 1
I thought it was great and highly deserved for Missy Elliott’s Under Construction and ‘Kast’s Speakerboxxx… to receive nominations and I wanted Outkast to win but something in the back of my mind (like history) told me that “the man” just wouldn’t let two dope boys in a Cadillac ride off with the right to call themselves the best in the business. How many black musicians over the years have not only changed the game, but improved on it, and still were denied their status as one of, if not THE, elite. Something in me was positive that Oukast would get The Funk Bros./Sonny Rollins treatment.
As evidenced by Outkast’s inclusion in the “Church of Funk” performance set, they have not only revitalized hip-hop, but rejuvenated the mainstream music industry’s interest in other forms of Black music (such as tha funk). And are also in my opinion, the driving force behind the creation of the Grammy’s new “alternative hip-hop” category. While staying true to the music and culture of hip-hop, they have managed to become pioneers by expanding their musicality and originality beyond break-beats or stale samples and scratching/ singing/ yelling hooks, turf-tales and tough-talk.
By taking hip-hop to its known limits and dancing on the line, Outkast have become the personification of hip-hop at it’s finest. That’s why I was screaming like a mad idiot when they won, because hip-hop won. Because we won. Every MC at home writing a new rhyme, or standing in a cypher engaged in heated battle mastering his craft, every DJ and every would be producer in their kitchens cooking up their hottest beat now has a chance for their music to be recognized as the best in the business. A new door has been kicked in and there is no way they can ever shut it on us again.
This is bigger than Halle and Denzel getting the golden men. Because hip-hop is my culture and Outkast are my kind, because we’ve known for years how talented we were and could no longer be denied recognition. I know, It sounds good but can hip-hop be consistent and continue to dominate album charts and soundscans? Can hip-hoppers make music that will stand the test of time? The answer to both questions is: Yep. Been doin' it for years now.
The only thing I didn't like about Outkast concerning the Grammy’s was Andre 3000's choice of motif for his “Hey Ya” performance. I’m not offended (being part indigenous) but I was kind of disappointed. Not in his performance, mind you, but in his choice of outfit. If he wanted to go “native” he could have done more or – in this particular case – less, and it would have been cool and wouldn't have come off goofy or offensive, which is not the image that Outkast wants to put out there. Although I don't see at all why Native Americans would be upset that a black man dressed as “an Indian” (albeit a tacky one) in the first place.
Many -- some studies say more than half -- Black Americans have Native blood in their veins. Seminoles, in particular, where bolstered enough in numbers by runaway slaves that they are the only tribe that was able to fend off the white man and remain the only truly “free” tribe left in America. Every year at Mardi Gras “Black Indians” from around the nation come together and dress in the most flamboyant tribal wear imaginable and parade through the French Quarter. Our shared history of oppression is literally in our blood. So unless you’re a “fashion guru” – a black man in a tacky green Brave get-up is nothing to get upset about.
Besides, they won a Grammy for best album of the year. Not a Vh1 Fashion Award. 1 of 1
