In a fascinating reflection on the early days of Outkast, Big Boi revisited a memorable and revealing chapter from their rise to fame during a recent episode of Conversate With Killer Mike. The Atlanta rapper recounted an incident from the mid-’90s when Outkast shared a stage with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan in Chicago, a performance that left them questioning the authenticity of the crowd’s support.
The story emerged after Cutmaster Swiff, Outkast’s longtime DJ, discussed the uncomfortable energy the duo often experienced as one of the few Southern acts on national lineups. Swiff noted that they frequently found themselves in the same hotels as East Coast crews, which sometimes fostered an atmosphere of “fake love” rather than genuine support. This sentiment set the stage for Big Boi’s recollection of the infamous sound issues they encountered while performing.
“I remember when we used to do a lot of shows with Wu-Tang,” Big Boi recalled. “We was closing. And when we got to perform, them n***as pulled the plugs on the speaker or something like that… We thought they did. Fucked our sound up.” Although he admitted there was no concrete evidence to support his claim, the timing felt too coincidental to ignore. “I’m pretty sure it was them,” he added, reflecting on the tense atmosphere.
This incident took place long before Outkast and Wu-Tang developed their later chemistry, culminating in their 1998 collaboration “Skew It On The Bar-B.” At that time, the South was still fighting for recognition on national stages, often met with skepticism from the East Coast gatekeepers. Despite the audio issues, Outkast persevered, keeping their performance alive while grappling with the unsettling experience backstage.
Big Boi emphasized that while the moment felt tense, it shouldn’t be framed as outright hostility between the two groups. “It was always love,” he stated, though he acknowledged that certain incidents felt “subliminal” and made them question the depth of that love.
His story serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges Outkast faced during their formative years, a time when they were determined to earn respect in an industry that often overlooked Southern artists. It highlights the hard work and resilience that propelled Outkast to success, city by city, as they co-headlined with groups they would eventually come to regard as brothers.
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