Hey Ya!

by

OutKast

Edit

Creative opposites who created a masterful product, Outkast's Big Boi and Andre 3000 took a bold step for the new album release "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" by each recording a separate solo album and releasing them together under the Outkast name. "Speakerboxxx" is Big Boi's creation, while "The Love Below" is an Andre 3000 production. The first single off Andre 3000's "The Love Below" is called "Hey Ya" and it encapsulates Dre's wondrous musical talents.

"Hey Ya" is an undeniably infectious tune that showcases the full range of Andre 3000's talents. The vocals, drums, bass, keyboard, and acoustic guitar are all performed by Dre' and create a piece of music that stays with you without ever annoying you. As great as this song is, to be fully appreciated, one must watch the video for it. Unlike with artists like Busta Rhymes, who uses elaborate, visually compelling videos to mask poor music and terrible lyrics, Outkast's videos enhance already well-crafted songs, "Hey Ya" (and Big Boi's first "Speakerboxx" single "The Way You Move") being classic examples. In the "Hey Ya" video, Andre 3000 brings his band, The Love Below, to perform in London on an Ed Sullivan style show. The kick is that every member of the band is Andre 3000 dressed up in different outfits and given different names. You have Benjamin Andre on keys, Dookie on drums, Johnny Vulture on guitar, Possum Jenkins on bass, The Love Haters on backup vocals, and, of course, Andre "Ice Cold" 3000 on lead vocals. The originality and creativity of this video supplements the effect of this great song. It goes without saying that hearing (and seeing) "Hey Ya" (as well as Big Boi's "The Way You Move") will make one want to rush out right away and purchase the double album by these brilliant artists just to be able to hear what other gems will make there way through the radio speakers.