September 29, 1998 · OutKast’s third album gave two very different Atlanta writers space to move together.
1998 – OutKast releases Aquemini
“Rosa Parks” joins a driving rap record to a harmonica break. On “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1),” Big Boi and André 3000 tell separate stories, and André’s recollection of Sasha Thumper changes the emotional temperature of the track.
The title combines the rappers’ zodiac signs. That idea plays out in the sequencing: their interests pull in different directions, and the friction helps an album full of detours hold together.
On “SpottieOttieDopaliscious,” horns and spoken recollections take over from conventional rap verses. The duo’s willingness to let that track unfold at length gives Aquemini one of its most distinctly Atlanta scenes.
Release date and album details · Listen to the album on Apple Music.
1998 – Mos Def and Talib Kweli release their Black Star debut
Mos Def and Talib Kweli released their first album as Black Star on the same day as Aquemini. “Definition” draws on rap history in its hook, while “Thieves in the Night” brings a Toni Morrison reference into a song about self-image. The release pairs neatly with OutKast’s third album as an example of how two MCs can write toward a shared idea without flattening their individual voices.
Read next · Browse Today in Rap History or explore Raptology documentaries.
Natalia is a Rap and Hip Hop enthusiast. After graduating from The New School of New York’s Public Relations Program and taking a course in Journalism at Michigan State University, she decided to dedicate her life to the music publishing business and to the discovery of new talent. She helps new artists gain exposure to the masses via online marketing and publications.
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