You know what, usually this blog focuses on discoveries within music or, as the title says, moments that make you say “whoa.” This time around, I want to switch it up just a little bit, rather than a true WHOA moment that has already happened, I wish to talk about WHOA moments that I wish would happen, so to speak.
What do I mean? Well, dream collaborations! Yes, dream collaborations, the types that would make me cry and allow me to die a happy 19-year old death.
Since I noticed while writing this that half of my entries include OutKast, I decided I’d split this into two editions: OutKast Collabos, and General Collabos. Be forewarned: 90% of these entries will probably have to do with the Dungeon Family in general, so prepare to see a lot of Cee-Lo or Bubba Sparxxx thrown around.
PART I: The OutKast Collaborations
10. OutKast featuring Semi-Sane Michael Jackson
Never going to happen, I know, but a young man can dream right? Michael has recently announced his farewell tour and one can more than likely assume that the album that was supposedly going to be released last year along with Thriller 25 is no longer in works, regardless, the chemical imbalance of generations inside me would be extremely satisfied with this kind of collaboration. The King of Pop with one of the greatest Rap Groups/Duos of all time.
9. The Isley Brothers featuring OutKast (more specifically Big Boi)
While it’d be extremely possible for Dre to appear on this track as well, this is the kind of collaboration that I see Big Boi taking part in moreso than Andre. If The Isleys were to create a “Contagious” type track, then Big Boi is the guy for the job, but if it were to be a “Move Your Body” style of song, Andre and Big Boi are perfect fits. No OutKast song sticking Ronald Isley on the chorus, I want all 291 Isleys in the studio, recording the song, with Dre and Big added to the mix.
8. OutKast featuring T.I.
Entirely possible. In fact, predictable, make it happen.
7. OutKast featuring Tupac/Biggie
If Mrs. Wallace and Ms. Shakur have both allowed their children’s hidden works to be remastered and republished by everyone else, why not let one of the most influential groups take a crack at it. I’m drooling at the mouth thinking of Andre 3000 and Tupac on the same track. Seriously.
6. Andre 3000 featuring Eminem
I would love to see two lyrical masterminds come together and cause the Universe in and of itself to explode. They have such similar styles that are so vastly different, Eminem is no longer the insane, violent and tempermental guy that first jumped onto the rap scene in 1997, but he can still hold his own with anyone. How many rappers do you know can make a whole song about nothing, yet provide more lyrics in that song about nothing than Gucci Mane or 95% of these so called rappers today could even dream of doing? Combine that with a guy that can go hard on a children’s show (Class of 3000 - All We Want Is Your Soul, look it up), and you have one track that would never leave my Zune, car, or mind.
5. OutKast featuring B.o.B.
Anyone that knows of B.o.B. knows that OutKast is one of his biggest influences, so I’m sure he’d jump at the opportunity to work with them. I hope he gets that chance soon.
4. Lupe Fiasco f/ OutKast
No comment, when LupEND is in production, make it happen.
3. OutKast featuring Kanye West and Common
This would be huge, and it would have me lose my bladder immediately. I can hear Dre and Big on a Kanye produced beat, with Common making a guest appearance. As great of artists as Common and Kanye are, they’d take a backseat to OutKast, but would still come pretty hard, I would be sure of it. I just want to know why this hasn’t happened yet, Common does a collaboration with Cee-Lo every album (more on that later) so why can’t he make it happen with another member of D.F.?
2. Natasha Bedingfield featuring OutKast
As much as Dre likes to work with pop/blues acts, I wouldn’t completely rule this possibility out. Natasha is quickly emerging as one of my favorite R&B artists as of right now (Pocketful of Sunshine is a great album, pick it up), pair her with Dre on a funky beat and you’ve got me sold. It probably won’t gain much attention, not as much as “Green Light” gained, but those hardcore OutKast fans, like myself, would be pretty pleased with this one.
1. Jamiroquai featuring OutKast/OutKast featuring Jason Kay
Seriously. You may be disappointed, but you know what, this is the collaboration that would allow me to die a very happy death, regardless of how I died. Jamiroquai is one of my favorite acts of all time, and OutKast IS probably my favorite act of all time, and their styles are so similar, that it makes SO much sense for them to collaborate. Jamiroquai’s funky live jazz beats would work well with an OutKast appearance, and an OutKast song wouldn’t miss the slightest beat with Jason Kay’s voice all over it. I want this, I want it now, even if I have to pay both groups to make it happen.
Honorable Mentions:
T-Pain featuring Andre 3000
OutKast featuring Ludacris
Gorillaz featuring Andre 3000
