Outkast’s “Royal Flush” Makes Me Want to Have a Block Party

By Olua

I don’t know about you, but when Outkast released their double album Speakerboxx/The Love Below back in 2003, I was convinced it was the hottest album of the year. Everywhere I turned, I was hearing one of the tracks – and that was fine with me. I loved them then and I love them now. However, their release of Idlewild in 2006 left me a little upset. It was good, sure, but it wasn’t Outkast good. I listen to it now and then, but I still go back to Speakerboxx/The Love Below when I want some sophistifunk.

Keeping in mind that Outkast is probably one of my favorite groups of all time, imagine my excitement if I were to find a leak of what will hopefully be one of their new singles. Can you feel it? No? Well, let me make that a reality.

On Kanye West’s blog, I stumbled upon the first awesome leak of the year. “Royal Flush” is the name of the song, and it has our boys Big Boi, Andre 3000, and features Raekwon. I gave it a listen. And then another listen. And then another. I couldn’t find the lyrics anywhere, so I had to pay close attention…which is no problem for me, really. I turned up my poor beat up computer speakers and listened.

And suddenly, I was back on the porch steps on Decatur Street in Brooklyn, New York, seven or eight years old and only just figuring out that there was more music out there than my mother’s soft jazz. It sounds fresh, but at the same time it sounds deliciously, delightfully, and utterly old skool. I’m telling you, they do the damn thing. It doesn’t have that harshness that a lot of the new (and therefore bad) hip-hop releases do, but it isn’t soft.

As per usual, Andre had the best verse lyrically. He usually does (though Big Boi does occasional show us his amazing prowess). I’m excited about this new album now, though, and I can’t wait to hear more. For now, though, this is all. And as Outkast would say it…

Break.