25 years ago today, Big Boi and Andre 3000 came together to release ATLiens on LA Reid and Babyface’s LaFace Records.
On this album, the two take the forward step of separating themselves from the G-Funk style that they referenced on their first album "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik", and expanded their influence and created a sound that fit the southern landscape that they came from.
The record features Outkast's work with producers Organized Noize, who incorporated elements of dub, psychedelic rock, and gospel into compositions. Lyrically, the group discusses urban life as hustlers, existential introspection, and extraterrestrial life, which lends to the album's title that has been interpreted by critics as a commentary about the feeling of being isolated from American culture.
ATLiens debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, and sold 350,000 copies in its first two weeks, received critical acclaim by music critics, who praised the record's lyrical content. It has been certified double platinum, and spawned the singles "Elevators (Me & You)", "ATLiens", and "Jazzy Belle".
ATLiens has been listed as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.