Class is back in session for Atlanta’s favorite hip-hop duo—literally.
Students at Savannah's Armstrong State University have the opportunity to enroll in the first-ever class dedicated to "OutKast and the Rise of the Hip-Hop South."
OutKast — which consists of duo André 3000 and Big Boi — won multiple Grammy awards for its albums "Stankonia" and "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."
Credit: Robb D. Cohen/.RobbsPhotos.com
Credit: Robb D. Cohen/.RobbsPhotos.com
The upper-level English course will be taught by Regina Bradley, assistant professor of African American literature and soon-to-be author of her book, “Chronicling Stankonia: OutKast and the Rise of the Hip Hop South.”
The course, according to Bradley, covers “how pop culture shapes our experiences, gives us language and helps us work through questions.”
Bradley hopes to use OutKast as a “case study on what Southernness means,” she said. OutKast was Bradley’s first introduction to southern hip-hop and what it meant to be young, Southern and black after the Civil Rights Movement.
Students will study the samples, lyrics and instruments used by the duo, compare other similar artists during the era and learn how they influenced subjects of gender, class and of course, race.
“They have these college classes and people can’t do anything with them,” Bradley told the AJC. “But I hope this one helps students extend class conversations outside.”
OutKast’s Big Boi himself even read about the new course in a local paper.
"It's an honor to be studied," he said in an interview with Creative Loafing. "My aunt sent me that article two or three days ago. I am originally from Savannah, and I remember Armstrong, so that is just super dope.
If you’re looking to enroll, you may want to check back next semester. Bradley’s class of 25 students is completely booked up for now.
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