NEW YORK (Arista press release) - Arista recording group OutKast scores an "artistic triumph" with the release of their sixth album, declares the Los Angeles Times, as the double-CD 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' debuts across-the-board at No1 on the big five Soundscan charts - Top Current Albums, R&B, Rap, Alternative and Alternative Core - it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, president and CEO, Arista Records.
With an astounding first-week Soundscan total of 509,689 units - boosted by No1 account debuts at Musicland, Best Buy, Trans World, Wherehouse, Circuit City, Hastings, Tower, and Borders - the album went on to debut at #1 on the Top Album Retailers chart; and No2 on both the Top Mass Merchants and Internet sales charts. Shipments have already topped the double-platinum mark and are quickly approaching triple-platinum.
"This is a monumental achievement for OutKast, and a milestone event for everyone associated with Andr? and Big Boi's success over the past decade," said Mr. Reid. "2004 marks the 10th anniversary of OutKast's debut 'Player's Ball' single and Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik album. Those of us who've witnessed their genius through the years can feel a very special pride in this amazing accomplishment."
"Hands down, the year's most ambitious release" (as noted by People, in a 4-star review), 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' is an unprecedented album in which Atlanta-based OutKast's visionaries Antwan 'Big Boi' Patton and Andr? '3000' Benjamin each oversees his own disc. The double-CD (in-store September 23rd) soared to No1 on the vibes of the back-to-back singles "The Way You Move" (from Big Boi's SPEAKERBOXXX, "by itself the album of the year," New York magazine raved) and "Hey Ya!" (from Dr?'s THE LOVE BELOW).
"Hey Ya!", dubbed "one of the best singles of the year" by New York, is in its third consecutive week as the #1 video on MTV's "TRL." The track is bulleting up the BDS and Mediabase Rap, Rhythm, Top 40 Mainstream, and Modern Rock/ Alternative lists. "The Way You Move," judged "outstanding" in Rolling Stone's 3-star album review, is in its third week at No5 on "TRL." The track is bulleted at No11 on the Rap chart, No16 at Rhythm, No18 at R&B/Hip-Hop, and is working its way north on the Top 40 Mainstream and Modern Rock/Alternative side. The videos for both were directed by Brian Barber (FM Rocks).
'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' is the follow-up to October 2000's Stankonia, the triple-platinum breakthrough that won OutKast Grammy awards for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group ("Ms. Jackson," a No1 pop/No1 R&B smash); and December 2001's platinum Big Boi & Dr? Present...OutKast, their first 'greatest hits' collection which included three brand new tracks, one of which, "The Whole World," won OutKast their second consecutive Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group earlier this year.
