If it looked like an R&B album and sounded like an R&B album, it probably was an R&B album in the good ol’days. Things changed when Hip Hop tore up the scene. Hip Hop has definitely had a positive impact on R&B and R&B with out a doubt has had a positive impact on Hip Hop. Rappers have throughout the years infused R&B into their music to give their music a hypnotic vibe. You had Mary J. Blige team up with Method Man and Nas linked up with Lauryn Hill. They made magic together. You even had J Rule and 50 Cent actually sing their raps.
However, I dare to say Andre 3000’s ‘The Love Below’ album was a R&B album crafted by a rapper. The project was his fifth studio album, which was a part of a double album that included Big Boi’s ‘Speakerboxxx,’ released September 23, 2003. Speakerboxxx in many ways stayed true to it’s dirty south roots, while ‘The Love Below’ explored a delicious blend of soul, pop, funk, and jazz. The album was supported with the hit singles “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move,” which both reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The album won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making it the second hip hop album to win the award. NME ranked Speakerboxxx/The Love Below number 44 on its list of the top 100 greatest albums of the decade, while Newsweek ranked the album #1 on its list of the ten best albums of the decade. But who cares about those snobs that sit in their leather chairs behind a stuffy desk and talk numbers all day long. Yes, you might argue or even call me crazy, but the only thing that is crazy (in a good way) is this album, which must have been sent from God and delivered through the honorable Andre 3000. Here are four reasons I think this album should be consider not just an R&B album but one of the best of our generation.
1. Vibe & Mood – Andre 3000 sets the mood initially with the title “The Love Below.” The album’s artwork also gives us an R&B feel with a Valentine’s Day feel amongst pink guns and red roses. It is a flirtatious romantic ode to love. His interludes such as “Where Are My panties” expresses with the insecurities of love. it also touches on the conflict between love and lust and finding the balance between the two. Songs like “Spread” and “Prototype” give you that R&B vibe and sets a mood that is familiar to a smooth slow jam.
2. Creativity – Creativity is oozing out of this album. The videos, concepts, artwork, lyrics and presentation come from such a unique place. It was fresh, but familiar because it took its influence from R&B. Its almost like putting Nas and R. Kelly in a blender creating a super artist. I guess as a creator, Andre 3000 out did himself on this one. He had come a long way from spitting raw rhymes on “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” to witty romantic melodies on “The Love Below”. “She Lives In My Lap” and “Pink & Blue” are songs which dig deep into what is music and gives us that pure feeling.
3. Lyrical Content & Message – It’s all about the message of Love.
4. Innovative – Today when something is innovative, original and creative, it ceases to be R&B. Many may argue against me for considering ‘The Love Below’ an R&B album. However, it is the content as well as the influences that make it hold true to the genre, which Andre 3000 and Big Boi grew up to as well as their family and the country. Innovators such as Michael Jackson, James brown, and Ray Charles used R&B as a common denominator. James Brown funkedified R&B and molded it into a state that was unique. Ray Charles used the framework of Gospel to get his R&B out to his fans and Michael Jackson used his R&B framework to cross over making it POPular. Andre did just that in ‘The Love Below;’ he used the influences of R&B with his Hip Hop expertise and created a work which will forever bridge the gap between R&B and Hip Hop. This could be considered the most innovative album of our generation.
When you get a chance, listen to “The Love Below,” focus on “Love Hater,” “Spread,” “Protoype” and “She Lives In My Lap” and let me know if you agree.
It’s no surprise that Outkast’s 2003 album “The Love Below” is one of their most popular projects. The double-disc release was a groundbreaking combination of rap, R&B and funk tracks – with Andre 3000 taking on the bulk of the production. But was it an R&B album? In this article we’ll look at why fans have debated this question for over 15 years now.
OutKast were already known as trendsetters in hip hop when they released “The Love Below”. It quickly gained traction among both music critics and fans alike due to its bold mix of genres. On top of that, Andre 3000’s songwriting had taken a new direction; his lyrics were more introspective and personal than ever before. Fans couldn’t believe how different the project sounded compared to anything else out there at the time.
But despite all these changes, many people are still unsure whether or not “The Love Below” can be classified as an R&B record. With so much debate surrounding this topic, let’s take a closer look into what made this project so unique and find out if it really fits into the genre of R&B music.
Overview Of The Album
The Love Below is an R&B album by the American hip hop duo OutKast, released in 2003. The double album features a mixture of solo tracks from both members – André 3000 and Big Boi – as well as collaborations between them. It was produced by Organized Noize, who also worked on their previous two albums Aquemini (1998) and Stankonia (2000).
The Love Below received critical acclaim for its eclectic range of musical styles, including soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music and gospel influences. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2004, making it the first rap album to win that award. Its lead single “Hey Ya!” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned OutKast multiple nominations at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Overall, The Love Below serves as a testament to OutKast’s musical growth over the years. With its genre-bending soundscape and thought-provoking lyrics, this groundbreaking album remains one of the most influential records in modern R&B.
Genre Classification
The Love Below is an undisputed classic of modern R&B. It combines elements from multiple genres, such as soul, funk, jazz and rock, to create a sound that is distinctly OutKast’s own. Produced by Organized Noize – the production team behind their previous two albums Aquemini (1998) and Stankonia (2000) – The Love Below captures the duo’s musical evolution over the years.
Featuring both solo tracks and collaborations between André 3000 and Big Boi, this critically acclaimed album won numerous awards including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2004. Its lead single ‘Hey Ya!’ was particularly successful on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, propelling OutKast into mainstream success and earning them multiple nominations at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Overall, The Love Below serves as a testament to OutKast’s creative vision and boundary-pushing approach to music making. From its diverse range of sounds to its heartfelt lyrics, this genre-bending masterpiece continues to be one of the most influential records in contemporary R&B.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that “The Love Below” by Outkast was an R&B album. This can be seen in its production and lyrical content, as well as its influence on the genre overall. From Andre 3000’s smooth singing to Big Boi’s rap verses, this record encapsulates both sides of the R&B equation.
Moreover, “The Love Below” had a major impact on R&B music after its release. It helped push boundaries and expand what could be considered within the genre. By drawing from other styles like jazz and funk, Outkast created something truly unique which has been echoed throughout modern day R&B music.
Overall, there is no doubt that “The Love Below” was an influential and successful R&B album that pushed the boundaries of the genre to new heights. Its lasting legacy will remain for years to come through its innovative soundscapes and soulful lyrics.
