Hip Hop 50th Anniversary

My favorite Andre 3000 verse of all time

I love Outkast, but this verse made Andre 3000 stand alone

Hip Hop enthusiasts might say Andre 3000’s best verses are his features on other people’s albums such as UGK’s “International Player’s Anthem.” Or, his delicious flow on Rick Ross’ “16 Bars” where 3000’s verse seemed to go on forever.

Contrarians who don’t want to like what anyone else likes might say their favorite 3000 verse is his short rhyme on “The Art of Storytelling (part II)” on Outkast’s mind-bending Aquemini album.

Some people might say that his best verses were his most earnest, such as his heartfelt Stankonia’s ode to Erykah Badu’s mother, “Ms. Jackson.”

They are all be wrong.

In my opinion, 3000’s best verse was a near-hidden track titled “A Day In The Life of Benjamin Andre (Incomplete)” at the very end of Outkast’s final album, Speakerboxx/The Love Below. The song is one long verse totaling 4:51 minutes of expansive, varied, narrative storytelling.

He hits his stride when he talks about his journey, creative lifestyle, and brand for which he became best known.

So changing my style was like relief for the primitive beast/ Yes, I was on the rise, yeast was the street/ To make bread, never primary concern/ Just to hop on these beats and wait my turn/ I’d meet Muslims, gangstas, bitches, rastas/ And macaroni n****s/ im-pastas.

- Andre 3000, A Day In The Life of Benjamin Andre (Incomplete)

If you don’t know him after listening to this song, then you never will.

Honestly,

Ed.

I am a poet, essayist, and civic strategist celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop in Birmingham, Alabama. Get to know me better here.