New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Sunshine Sachs) Ingenious and iconic recording artists and performers, Antwan "Big Boi" Patton and André "3000"
Benjamin today announced via Outkast's newly launched social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and www.Oukast.com that their return to the stage for their 20th anniversary will include festival dates around the world. After headlining Coachella this April, the influential group will be the marquee act at over 40 festivals around the world throughout the Spring/Summer of 2014 (dates to be announced).
"It's truly an honor to celebrate 20 years and still be free to do music the way we choose," said Big Boi. "Don't just think outside the box, know that there is no box. I'm looking forward to rocking the stage with my Bro Ski and to all the fans - stank you smelly much, this is for y'all!"
"And imagine, all we wanted to do was rap! I am thankful to have been a part of a group that allowed me to explore anything that came to mind and have fun doing it. Returning to the stage together is the most exciting way for us to thank everyone for their 20 years of supporting Outkast," said André 3000.
It is impossible to quantify the creative impact and influence of Grammy-Award winning rap duo, Outkast, or the work of its members, André "3000"
Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. Together and individually, these Atlanta natives have set the bar for originality, blasting genre boundaries and combining mediums since their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was released in 1994.
The seismic effects of their originality continued to be felt with each subsequent release and, globally,
Outkast has sold more than 25 million albums. Their critically lauded, Platinum-Certified sophomore album ATLiens (1996) was one of the rare works of art to be appreciated for being ahead of its time, in its own time. The double-Platinum Aquemini (1998) and quadruple-Platinum Stankonia (2000) received the highest praises from the loftiest critics to the most dedicated of Hip Hop fans. Both albums were ultimately enshrined in Rolling Stone Magazine's definitive list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2012. The Diamond-certified Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003) was not only a massive commercial success, it also earned six Grammys, including Album of the Year, making
Outkast the first rap group ever to win the award in that coveted category. In 2006, the duo pulled off the unexpected by releasing Idlewild, a film both members starred in, and the accompanying soundtrack which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
In recent years,
Big Boi and André 3000 have frequently collaborators with a multitude of artists.
Big Boi has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, Luscious Leftfoot: The Son of
Chico Dusty (2010) and Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors (2013). André 3000 appeared in Be Cool, Semi-Pro, Four Brothers, and the upcoming
Jimi Hendrix biopic, All Is By My Side. Benjamin's own high-end clothing line,
Benjamin Bixby, debuted in 2010, at which time GQ Magazine named him "Best New Designer of the Year."
In January 2014, to celebrate Outkast's 20th anniversary, the duo confirmed plans for a headlining festival run that will begin Friday, April 11 at the Coachella Valley
Music and Arts Festival, then continue with dates throughout the spring and summer.
