"OutKast, pronounced outcast. Adjective meaning homeless, or unaccepted in society. But let's look deeper than that. Are you an OutKast? If you understand and feel the basic principles and fundamental truths contained within this muzik, you probably are. If you think it's all about pimpin hoes and slammin cadillac doughs you probably a cracker, or a nigga that think he a cracker or maybe just don't understand.
An OutKast is someone who is not considered to be part of the normal world. He's looked at differently.He's not accepted because of his clothes, his hair, his occupation, his beliefs or his skin color.Now look at yourself, are you an OutKast? I know I am. As a matter of fact, fuck being anything else."Words from the first Outkast record, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, that dropped back in 1994. Words that laid out the mission statement from the beginning. Outkast wasn't just for the Gs, the backpackers rocking Native Tongues shit, the southern boys looking for their own voice, they were here to represent everyone on the fringes and they have done just that for almost twenty years now, along the way cementing themselves as musical innovators, media assassins, trendsetters, icons, legends, the greatest rap group of all time...no scratch the rap, they transcend that, one of the greatest groups of all time period.
Over a seven year period from 1994-2001 Outkast released four top-notch records (Southerplayalistic, Atliens, Aquemini, Stankonia) that pushed the boundaries of what hip-hop could be each time pushing the envelope a little farther. These records stand against other powerhouses of the time (Radiohead, Pavement, and on any given day might crush them in my opinion.
To really put it in perspective you have to look at how much harder they had to work. In 1994 the idea of a "Dirty South" subgenre was a pipedream. Everything was still all east-west, and here come these kids out of College Park with a cadence and wordplay unlike anything that Billboard had seen in years. Yet, "Players Ball" with it's live funk backbone brokethrough to hit number one on the rap charts. That track immediately hinted at what was to come. It showed these guys spent more time listening to Sly and the Family Stone and A Tribe Called Quest than they did The Chronic and were never going to be mere imitators.
On ATLiens Andre raps about being an artist and keeping his head clear...no weed, no booze...this was during the Master P heyday when New Orleans was nothing but Cris and 8-balls (which is unfortunate as the argument can certainly be made that The Dungeon Family opened the door for all that followed in the south). Aquemini dropped and got hit with 5 mics from The Source, there were Bristol-influenced beats, George Clinton straight funk, and let's not forget furry ass pants and football pads. This was not a rap record, this record was rock and roll attitude for days.
Well, then came on Stankonia. Do I need to say anything? B.O.B might be a top five single of all time. It blew minds worldwide. They dropped the heartfelt Ms Jackson, showed that songwriting ability there, and then still kept the party rolling with So Fresh...there had never been a record like that. Now, I will admit, post-Stankonia results have been a mixed bag musically, a few highlights, some throwaway (though that Luscious Leftfoot record was fucking dope from front-to-back), but it's been during this time I think we have really seen the cultural impact of Outkast. Right now there is a Gillette commercial on ESPN with Andre walking alongside Adrien Brody, Lebron and D. Wade have completely embraced that over-eccentric fashion that Dre brought to the masses, Cee-Lo (Dungeon Family member) is a household name with songs popping up on Glee. Musically they blew the door open for Luda, Nappy Roots, all the southern boys, crossed over the rap-rock worlds without ever fully committing to a watered down blend of both styles, they have as much cred on the street as they do in grad-school circles. They destroyed boundaries, had fun doing it, and never strayed from that original mission statement: they are now and forever have been for all of the outcasts in the world, just now they have helped bring those outcasts from counter-culture to the forefront of popular culture.
So, how does this relate to of all things a Sour Apple Saison? Well, this particular Saison comes from Epic Brewing located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Not excatly a mecca for craft-brewing. The rules and regulations imposed by the city certainly limit what these guys are able to do. But they persevere, they are breaking the rules in their own little way. They continue to follow their passion for brewing REMARKABLE beers in spite of the culture that largely surrounds them, I certainly think this parallels the path Andre and Big Boi could have taken growing up in College Park, giving in to the dope dreams and hood rich life. But instead they just stayed their path and found their voice.
Also, really what is better in the summer than a crisp Saison? Nothing. The bit of apple on this makes it just that much more crisp and good god it goes down easy. This is a big beautiful bomber that I will without shame admit I drink straight from the bottle. 22 oz bottle tipped up hard--that's how we do. This thing is seriously sweet, but on the back end is all that FUNK from the brett that is just barely balanced out. So, we have sweet, summer, funk...sounds like an Outkast record to me.
Epic has this great sense of humor about them also...as evidenced by the production of this beer, but also check their great Big Bad Baptist Stout and the label for their Elder Brett which might be the best beer label ever. While these are all great beers; true craft, great flavor, they don't take themselves too serious which is a huge element of Outkast's appeal. They have that swagger for sure, but still aren't afraid to drop a chorus like "Roses".
Now I am not going to say that Epic has reached legend status, but I do think they are an inspiring little brewery. Maybe some guy home brewing in Idaho right now is thinking if they can do it, so can I. I know they got me thinking that. It's that ability to inspire, regardless of where or who you are that makes these two go so well together. Everybody likes Outkast (and if you don't I don't want anything to do with you probably, just not my kind of people) and who doesn't like apples and beer (see above for my take on you if you don't), serve these two up at your next cookout, and don't forget to toast the guys from ATL and the guys out in Salt Lake--true outcasts for sure...I know I am, always will be, fuck being anything else.
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