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Tres Generaciones Tequila, a 50 year old brand introduced by the family that elevated tequila to a symbol of Mexican pride, and Billboard are partnering together for a year-long celebration of music’s transformative power to unveil the top songs that have energized, uplifted and excited six select cities, known as the ‘Get Up Anthems.’ These playlists are curated through a mix of editorial insight and data analytics, and honor the songs that define each city’s history and culture.
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In a tucked-away studio in Atlanta’s Westside, the A’s own Killer Mike and London on da Track sat with Billboard editors Damien Scott and Trevor Anderson to pay homage to the city’s musical legacy. As the deliberations unfolded over Tres Generaciones Tequila’s signature serve for the city of fAtlanta: The Batanga, Rocsi Diaz deftly moderated the passionate discussion of the top 10 Get Up Anthems. After sifting through an initial catalog of 30+ hometown hits, a consensus emerged: a tie for the coveted number-one spot. In this revered space, two tracks stand tall as epitomes of the city’s hip-hop prowess: “Player’s Ball” by OutKast and “Rubber Band Man” by T.I. Despite their release in different eras, both songs embody the city’s cultural impact and enduring influence on hip-hop.
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“There are two distinct eras in Atlanta!” emphasized the Grammy-award winning rapper as he adjusted his posture in the seat to defend the need for a tie. He explains that the first era marked Atlanta’s emergence with its own unique sound, distinguishing it from other cities like Miami and the second involved redefining that sound. “T.I.’s ‘Rubber Band Man’ is as equally important as ‘Player’s Ball’ because it defined what Atlanta was going to be for the next 20 years. And you can’t unimportant one of those for the other because they were both drastically informative of what we [Atlanta] were going to become.”
“Player’s Ball” burst onto the scene in 1993 as OutKast’s lead single off their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, marking the duo’s arrival as pioneers of Southern hip-hop and their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number thirty-seven. Released when East and West Coast acts dominated the genre, the song helped shift the spotlight to the South, showcasing Atlanta’s unique musical identity. Its celebration of the player lifestyle and vivid portrayal of Southern culture resonated with audiences, establishing OutKast as an ambassador of Atlanta’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.
A decade later and “Rubber Band Man” emerges as a rallying cry for T.I., reflecting the grit and resilience of Atlanta’s streets. The track was pivotal in T.I.’s career, serving as a breakthrough single that propelled him to superstardom. Released amidst the burgeoning trap music movement, the song helped solidify T.I. ‘s reputation as a genre pioneer and established him as one of the leading voices in Southern hip-hop. Lyrically, “Rubber Band Man” explores themes of perseverance, hustle, and street authenticity, resonating with listeners who identified with T.I. ‘s come-up story and unapologetic swagger.
Both “Player’s Ball” and “Rubber Band Man” exhibit distinctive production styles that have garnered acclaim within hip-hop’s pantheon. “Player’s Ball,” helmed by Organized Noize, exudes a laid-back, funk-infused cadence that epitomizes the quintessence of Southern hip-hop. Its utilization of live instrumentation and soulful sampling constructs a sonic tapestry imbued with timelessness. Conversely, “Rubber Band Man,” produced by David Banner, introduces a darker, more foreboding palette punctuated by resounding 808s and haunting melodies. The track’s hypnotic cadence and atmospheric production mirror the gritty realities of Atlanta’s streets, providing the perfect backdrop for T.I. ‘s raw lyricism and commanding delivery.
Decades after its release, “Player’s Ball” remains a beloved classic in hip-hop culture. Its influence can be heard in the work of countless artists inspired by OutKast’s innovative approach to music and storytelling. The song’s infectious groove, clever wordplay, and timeless appeal continue to captivate audiences, solidifying its status as a cultural touchstone.
From OutKast’s infectious grooves to T.I.’s gritty lyricism, each song reflects the city’s rich tapestry of sounds, stories, and experiences. Through their distinctive production, compelling lyricism, and cultural resonance, these songs, although separated by decades, embody Atlanta’s spirit.
Watch the full Atlanta discussion HERE and be sure to follow along on all content for the Get Up Anthems series HERE
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and for this stop, we’re in Atlanta, Georgia. In conversation with Rocsi Diaz, Atlanta natives Killer Mike and London on da Track sat with Billboard’s Damien Scott and Trevor Anderson to curate their top 10 Get Up Anthems for Atlanta. Beyond the final list, this is a discussion of the the honorable mentions that deserved their recognition, but didn’t land in any of the top 10 slots, presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila. Be sure to follow the multi-city conversations at billboard.com/get-up-anthems/
Rocsi Diaz:Our panel previously picked the top 10 Get Up Anthems for Atlanta. Here are four songs that didn’t quite make the top 10, but definitely deserve an honorable mention. “Freestyle,” Lil Baby.
Killer Mike:What he brought in terms of voice and what he brought in terms of structure, he didn’t sound typical. He didn’t sound like stereotypically what you would think Atlanta was. And there was a razor sharpness and edge about him. Young, handsome dude, great voice and man was just spitting up truth. It was just literally like everything he said it felt authentic.
Damien Scott:Yeah, he sounded like he came from like, the early 2000s. And, you know, in the way that everything was so assured and the way he rapped, just felt like …
Rocsi Diaz:Like you’ve been here,
Damien Scott:We’re just talking to you, again, like that same kind of quality of just, I’m just talking to you, I’m just telling you what’s going on in my life. I’m just, I’m not I’m not overexaggerating anything, everything is real to me. And he had a flow that was just incredibly water.
Killer Mike:Yeah Atlanta, actually, he wear it like a masters track. And I love that.
Rocsi Diaz:What did it do on the charts?
Trevor Anderson:You know, so this song has a funny little history on charts, because when it first came through, back in 2017 …
Killer Mike: They slept.
Keep watching to learn more!
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and for this stop, we’re in Atlanta, Georgia. In conversation with Rocsi Diaz, Atlanta natives Killer Mike and London on da Track sat with Billboard’s Damien Scott and Trevor Anderson to curate their top 10 Get Up Anthems for Atlanta. The list includes songs that inspired and energized their city, by Atlanta artists, presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila. Be sure to follow the multi-city conversations at billboard.com/get-up-anthems/.
Rocsi Diaz: We’re not doing that.
Killer Mike: No, you got to do that.
Rocsi Diaz:We’re not doing that, there’s no ties.
Killer Mike: There’s no way you cannot do that. I’ll give you a formal …
Rocsi Diaz:There’s no ties in one to 10.
Killer Mike: There’s definitely a tie.
Rocsi Diaz:There’s no tie.
Killer Mike:You can’t make that rule, and I’ll give you why.
Rocsi Diaz:How I can’t make that rule up?! Guys, I’m just going to speak to the judges. Are you all OK with a tie at No. 1?
Hey, I’m Rocsi Diaz. Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are on a journey to celebrate the impact of music, both on a personal level and as a community experience by curating panels of artists and industry tastemakers to identify the get up anthems for cities nationwide.
This stop, we’re in the A, home of the peach tree, and of course, trap music. Thank you, Nika. With me today is a titan in the music industry, celebrated for his profound influence and lyricism, Killer Mike. Alongside him, renowned producer, London on Da Track, whose signature sound has shaped the landscape of modern hip-hop. Damien Scott, Billboard‘s deputy editorial director, and Trevor Anderson, a music expert and all-around fact checker working with the mighty Billboard charts team.
Now, a few days ago we gathered to kick off the selection process for Atlanta’s Get Up Anthems. Now, beginning with Billboard‘s exclusive chart data, we narrow these 30 songs to 10.
Keep watching to learn more!
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and the next stop is Atlanta, Georgia. Ahead of the curated list, in this ‘Man on the Street,’ we tapped Houston locals to help share some of their favorite hometown hits that have inspired and energized their city, […]
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