|
}} ''Aquemini'' is the third studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released on September 29, 1998 through LaFace Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius (Big Boi) and Gemini (André 3000), which is indicative of the album's recurring theme of the differing personalities of the two members. The group recorded the majority of the album in Bobby Brown's Bosstown Recording Studios and Doppler Studios, both in Atlanta, Georgia. Released as the follow-up to the duo's 1996 album ''ATLiens'', ''Aquemini'' expands on the previous record's outer space-inspired compositions by incorporating live instrumentation. The commercial success of ''ATLiens'' allowed for more creative freedom for the group, which led to the members self-producing the majority of the tracks. The band employed a large number of musicians for the album, who frequently entered and exited the studio throughout the recording process and had a major influence on the writing development of the album's songs. Lyrically, ''Aquemini'' explores various themes including human nature, addiction, and interpersonal relationships. The album was certified platinum in November 1998, only two months after its release, and was certified double platinum on July 2, 1999 by the Recording Industry Association of America. ''Aquemini'' peaked at number two on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Four of the album's tracks had already or would later become singles, although some were limited (promotional) releases and not available commercially. The record also received rave reviews from music critics, who praised the album's musicality and unique lyrical themes. It was ranked at number 500 in the book version of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. ==Background== In 1994, the American hip hop duo OutKast released their debut album, ''Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik'', which was recorded when members Big Boi and André 3000 were eighteen years old. Bolstered by the success of the single "Player's Ball", the record established OutKast as prominent figures in the Southern hip hop scene.〔Nickson (2004), pp. 32–33.〕 After the album was certified platinum, LaFace Records gave OutKast more creative control and advanced money for their 1996 follow-up album ''ATLiens''. On ''ATLiens'', André 3000 and Big Boi abandoned the "hard-partying playa characters" of their debut album in favor of personas that were more futuristic, and produced many of the songs on their own for the first time.〔Sarig, 2007. p. 140〕 Critics praised the group's maturing musical style on the record, which debuted at number two on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 chart and sold nearly 350,000 copies in its first two weeks of release. The single "Elevators (Me & You)" reached number 12 and spent 20 weeks on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. After the release of ''ATLiens'', André 3000 entered a relationship with neo soul singer Erykah Badu, who was part of a burgeoning movement in the urban music scene described as "more bohemian than ghetto".〔Sarig, p. 171〕 André 3000 adopted a more flamboyant style of dress during performances in promotion of ''ATLiens'' that included large glasses, blond wigs, and marching band uniforms. Badu gave birth to his first child in November 1997, which presented new artistic inspiration for the rapper.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Aquemini」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|