Outkast to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: You can't separate Big Boi and Andre 3000 anymore

"I'm disgusted with this world and I can hardly breathe and told so many lies, I don't know what to believe."

I saw Outkast in 2014 at Austin City Limits. They didn’t have any new music to play. There was nothing to promote.

It was simply the love of the game and perhaps one last opportunity to tour off of the name before Andre 3000 changed his mind. Andre and Big Boi haven’t had a full project together since 2006’s “Idlewild.”

There were concerns about how much Andre wanted to be there.

The man has been on record in interviews and in music about no longer being interested in performing, let alone rapping. This is of course years before his Grammy-nominated flute album, “New Blue Sun.”

So when Andre makes an appearance, you go see him.

But this wasn’t just about ‘Dre, this was about the last time we would ever see Outkast as a performing duo.

That evening, Outkast brought us together. I was by myself but I met two women from San Antonio who were cool enough to allow me to kick it with them.

It was bittersweet. This wasn't like some contractual obligation. This wasn't Hall and Oates beefing. They owed the fans one more chance to see them as Outkast and that would be that.

This was simply two men who were in different places in their lives and when the mics cut off, they would return to saidlives.

There’s a trend on the internet where people try to separate or pretend one didn't coexist without the other. Andre is often discussed as one of the greatest wordsmiths ever (rightfully so). He’s placed on GOAT lists and hip-hop Mount Rushmore’s (I find the idea of the Mount Rushmore list silly.)

While the ‘Dre is still an incredible rapper even as a designated hitter (as a feature), it’s incredibly shortsighted to leave his rap partner out of these discussions.

Big Boi has released several critically acclaimed solo projects since the departure of Outkast, while Andre moonlights as a freelance rapper, features and no solo album aren’t deserving enough for any consideration of the coveted GOAT.

But Andre doesn't need a title.

I think Outkast is the greatest rap group of all time (argue with your mother). On April 27, it was announced that Outkast would officially be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The sixth consecutive year a hip-hop act gets an induction.

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will be on Nov. 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

When Big Boi and Andre 3000 get inducted, it won’t be some goofy Mount Rushmore waiting for them. There won’t be podcasters arguing their place.

It will be them going in together. As they started and as they intended.