Hey Ya! : The Unauthorized Biography of Outkast

Rating:
Summary: Good initial look inside one of music's legendary acts
Review: Don't be deceived by the subtitle which says that "Hey Ya!..." is the `unauthorized' biography of the visionary Atlanta Hip-Hop group, OutKast. Don't expect any Kitty Kelley-style revelations. This is only unauthorized because it wasn't written in direct cooperation with the band and to attract buyers with enticing `unauthorized' label. In truth, "Hey Ya!" is nothing more than a 190 page glowing review of OutKast. None of this, however, is a knock against the book because, at its core, it's a fascinating look at the beginnings and evolution of one of the true landmark groups in music today.

From their earliest days after meeting in high school, Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000) and Antwan Patton (Big Boi) set out to make music on their own terms, seeking to be evolutionary and revolutionary. Whereas most hip hop acts were sticking to tired formulas and unoriginal beats and techniques, this duo (which quickly adopted the appropriately title name, OutKast) kept pushing the envelope and trying create something new. This biography deconstructs the group by showing some of their earliest musical influences like, understandably, Run-DMC and George Clinton and the more unlikely Kate Bush (a personal favorite of Big Boi's). It reveals how the two principles disparate styles didn't disrupt the music, but rather enhanced. It gives a nod a to OutKast's earlier supports like Atlanta's Dungeon Family studios and the Organized Noise studios. Most importantly, the author, Chris Nickson, spends most of his effort analyzing how OutKast evolved musically (and stylistically) with each progressive album. Instead of resting on what worked before, OutKast kept taking risks and it made a difference in how they were viewed and in their legacy.

While "Hey Ya!..." may not be a packed with amazing revelations, it still gives fans a good opportunity to get inside this seminal hip hop act. The information is strong and gives fans a stronger connection with this OutKast.