Outkast are one of the most successful hip-hop acts of all time, pioneers of Southern rap and an experimental fusion of other styles and a Musicheads Essential artist. Few modern hits have been as pervasive and omnipresent as Outkast's, "Hey Ya!", but the story of this hip-hop duo began a decade before that song took over the world. The year was 1992, and rappers Andre "3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton were just 16 years old, taking part in rap battles in the cafeteria of their East Point Atlanta high school. They bonded over their shared love of A Tribe Called Quest and futuristic funk icons like George Clinton and Sly Stone. Their earliest recordings were rooted in the Southern rap genre, but already hinted at the psychedelic, supernatural and jazz influences that would seep into their sound.

As their music evolved, so did their fan base. After experiencing success on the rap charts with their earlier singles like "Player's Ball" and "Rosa Parks," Andre 3000 and Big Boi experienced a true crossover moment with their 2000 album, Stankonia, and their first pop hit, "Ms. Jackson." With their 2003 album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Outkast's legacy was solidified. The double album spent seven weeks at number one, won Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, and is regularly included on lists of the Greatest Albums of All Time.

The pair reunited for a successful tour in 2014, including a headlining spot at Coachella, but as for their career as a duo, they seem to prefer pushing forward and exploring new territory rather than revisiting their old hits.