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Outkast "Idlewild" The last CD Ever
by Outkast? Dre Retiring? Turned down appearance on
Oprah. |
The word from Atlanta is that R&B
supergroup Outkast has turned down Oprah Winfrey's offer to appear
on her show in early September.
It’s not part of the hip-hop boycott, however. Sources tell me that
Antwan 'Big Boi' Patton wants do the show, but Andre '3000' Benjamin
has declined, effectively nixing the deal.
Outkast has a soundtrack and a movie called "Idlewild" due on Aug.
22 and 25, respectively. The CD is a single-disc set, unlike their
Grammy-winning, best-selling "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," which
spawned the mega-hit "Hey Ya!"
The movie musical sets the duo as musicians in a southern speakeasy
in the 1930s, sort of a "Cotton Club" with Ving Rhames, Terrence
Howard, Cicely Tyson, Patti Labelle, Macy Gray and Ben Vereen
co-starring.
I’m told that Benjamin and Patton are at odds about everything
involved with the promotion of the album.
"Andre is only interested in acting now," says my source.
Indeed. Benjamin has several acting projects scheduled in the near
future. He’s also in Guy "Mr. Madonna" Ritchie’s unfortunate
"Revolver," which has been universally panned and is already on DVD
in Britain and Canada.
Nevertheless, Benjamin sees himself as a thespian.
"When their deal is over with Arista, he’s outta there," my
source says.
Benjamin is said to be averse to doing almost anything to help the
album, and that decision is making Patton properly upset.
"He’s only doing stuff to help the movie," my source says.
The "Oprah" appearance, which couldn’t even happen until the show
returns from summer reruns on September 6, would certainly be a
boost. On the other hand, by then two weeks will have already passed
since the release. It could be a moot point by then.
Outkast is an ongoing truce anyway. The two artists literally make
separate songs that are combined together. Benjamin no longer tours
with the group, and Patton is said to be steamed about the way
things have gone.
The group has already released a single from the album, an ebullient
number called "The Mighty O," and based on — or shall we say heavily
influenced by — Cab Calloway’s immortal "Minnie the Moocher."
Ironically, it features the Outkast duo rhyming together for what is
said to be the first time in six years.
But that may be the last time they appear together on anything.
"Since Andre had a baby with Erykah Badu, his whole perspective has
changed," says my source.
One source who says he’s heard a few of the album’s songs was also a
little surprised about their subtext.
"It sounds like they’re singing about each other," he said.
But of course, Andre and Big Boi are probably just in character
AUDIO:
"Mighty O"
MightyO_64.ram
MightyO_64.asx
MightyO_96.ram
MightyO_96.asx |
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