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Source: Julia Beverly / Getty / OutKast
An EDM duo called ATLiens is legally feeling the wrath of OutKast for very obvious reasons.
Billboard reports that OutKast sued ATLiens, claiming their name is a blatant infringement on the iconic rap duo’s 1996 album of the same name.
Two lawyers representing Big Boi and André 3000 argued on August 20 that the EDM duo’s use of the name ATLiens, a term used by Atlanta residents, has caused confusion.
“The word ATLiens was invented by OutKast,” the lawsuit states, per Billboard. “Before OutKast created it, it was not used in the cultural lexicon and did not exist. Defendant’s use of the ATLiens mark is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake or to deceive the public.”
The website notes that the EDM duo ATLiens began using their name in 2012. According to the lawsuit, Big Boi and Andre 3000 only became aware of this recently.
Lawyers for the rap group also claim that both groups are in “related musical genres” and that fans could mistake them for Big Boi and André 3000 because of the costumes they wear on stage.
“The duo comprising defendant performs with masks on, thereby concealing their identities such that consumers will mistakenly believe that the members of Defendant are one and the same with — or at least somehow connected to — plaintiff,” OutKast’s lawyers said.
ATLiens Are Leaving The Iconic Rap Duo & Their Lawyers On Read
The “Ms. Jackson” crafters also claim that they tried to “negotiate an amicable resolution to the dispute,” but the EDM group continues to use the name and allegedly made a poster similar to the one Outkast used.
“Management for OutKast has already received communications from third parties querying whether OutKast was affiliated with the defendant’s upcoming show,” OutKast’s lawyers said.
ATLiens has not responded to the lawsuit, but it would be in their best interest to do so.
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Source: Ben Rose / Getty
Big Boi wrote an extensive tribute to the late Rico Wade of the Dungeon Family, sharing it with fans on social media.
As the Hip-Hop world is still reeling from the sudden death of southern rap trailblazer Rico Wade, one-third of the Organized Noize production crew and Dungeon Family founder, Big Boi opened up about the loss of his dear friend and collaborator. In a post shared on Instagram on Monday (April 15), the veteran MC and one-half of OutKast displayed a collection of photos and videos from the breadth of their 30-year friendship.
“This is a different type of hurt …. Slick Ricky Wade .. I know you’re with us STILL … in a bigger role now… Big Angel Energy… the Highest of Vibrations … Praise Yah,” Big Boi wrote in the caption of the post, ending off with hashtags honoring Wade and the Dungeon Family. The video clip in the post was taken from The Art of Noize documentary chronicling the Atlanta, Georgia production team of Wade, Sleepy Brown, and Ray Murray which had previously been streaming on Netflix.
“Rico Wade is one-third of Organized Noize and he’s like the mouthpiece for that collective of producers. He was connected to LaFace Records through Pebbles ’cause he went to school with Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins from TLC. She connected him with Pebbles and through them, Pebbles introduced Rico to LA Reid,” Big Boi says before adding: “He was like the gateway to get to LA, as well as the producers who produced Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. They signed OutKast. Organized Noize were responsible for us signing to LaFace Records. So without Rico Wade, Sleepy Brown, and Ray Murray, there would [be no OutKast].”
The death of the 52-year-old Wade last Saturday (April 13) took everyone by surprise. Many others expressed their grief in posts shared on social media. Grammy Award-winning artist CeeLo Green offered up a heartfelt and lengthy tribute to Wade in his Instagram post. “I speak on behalf of all my brothers and all of your sons we #love you and I cannot thank you enough! I’m forever in your debt. and all of the goodness God has promised us for going forward I shall give you a token of gratitude.. wow my elder is a ancestor now that means you really put that work in… amazing! Job well done.”
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OutKast reuniting has become something mythological that is forever front of mind to Hip-Hop heads. So footage of Big Boi and Andre 3000 kicking it together backstage got social media excited, even if corresponding music from the Atliens is nowhere in sight.
Sir Lucius Leftfoot aka Big Boi was backstage at his partner in rhymes’ show at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA on Saturday (March 2). He gave 3 Stacks props for his flute playing.
“N*gga talkin’ bout he wasn’t planning on playing the flute,” Big Boi joked, while making sure everyone snapping photos and taking video made sure they got the sneakers in the shot.
“Antwan & Andre Flutie Hoooooo,” is how Big Boi captioned the post.
The Internets was here for the reunion—he was in town and on tour to perform songs from his latest album, New Blue Sun—even if 3 Stacks isn’t rapping but focusing on his woodwind game. See some of the commentary in the gallery.
Also worth noting, 3 Stacks linked up with Khujo Goodie, too.
1. Of course, heads think this is why Big Boi pulled up.
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Source: Gregory Bojorquez / Getty
Outkast’s SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below album has achieved the honor of being the highest-selling album ever in rap history.
Last Friday (Sept. 29), the fifth studio album from the duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as the top-selling rap album ever, going 13x platinum. The previous record holder was Eminem’s The Eminem Show which had been certified as 12x platinum just last year. The honor coincides with the album’s 20th anniversary on September 23, which Outkast celebrated on their official Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx4AioEsT_d/
Big Boi celebrated the achievement with a post on his own Instagram account showing him unwrapping the plaque marking the certification and record. “Special delivery just in time for the 20th anniversary 9/23/03…#speakerboxxxthelovebelow Over 13 Million albums sold. ( Diamond & a 3.5 ) What Are Your Jams? @ outkast is everlasting. Stank You Smelly Much …To All Y’all 🛸,” he wrote in the caption.
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The news comes as Outkast is giving SpeakerboxxxThe Love Below and their third album, 1998’s Aquemini special vinyl releases. For Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, it will be 4 LPs featuring the “Platinum Chain” for Big Boi’s album and “Pearls” vinyl for Andre’s album. For the Aquemini release, the 3 LPs will be in a gold galaxy, cloudy magenta, and cloudy green vinyl. Fans can pre-order the vinyl reissues through Get On Down with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below set to ship in November and the Aquemini release to be sent out later in October.
Aquemini also celebrated its 25th anniversary on September 29th with Outkast releasing a new video for the highly popular track “SpottieOttieDopaliscious”. The iridescent animated video was directed by OK Motion Club. “As ATLiens, this project means so much to us. We couldn’t be prouder of what we created and none of it could have been made possible without our incredible team of creatives!”, the Atlanta production company wrote on their Instagram page.
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