By Jamil Weeks

Across the nation, battle lines have been drawn. The trenches have been dug as gathering armies fortify their positions. Sounds like an opening scene out of an Oliver Stone war film. In this case, I’m referring to what has become a never ending clash between the dueling Mobb Deep and OutKast regimes, and the battleground is social media. In what has now become an annual event, the two fan bases clash like two warrior tribes in an epic saga over rap duo superiority. What side you choose can depend on what region of the country you were raised or what style of rap you fancy. This is the North vs. the South. NYC vs. ATL. Street vs. alternative. As a fan of both groups, I was fortunate enough to experience their prime music in real time. Both groups have contributed to the culture immensely. Classic albums, influential singles, slang, fashion, artistry, you name it. Despite the repetitive nature of the debate, the online chatter has made me wrestle with this idea of who I prefer between the two. After weighing many factors, I decided to give an honest assessment over which group should be crowned the best, despite my deep love for the music from both camps.

Discography

When it comes to the phrase “three album run”, you can make a sound argument that both Mobb Deep and OutKast each had the greatest consecutive three album releases in the 90’s and beyond. Undeniable classics were birthed from both camps However, when it comes to solo projects and mixtapes, Mobb Deep gets the edge when you also factor in their classics. The Mobb’s catalog is deeper than their Southern counterparts. Prodigy and Alchemist dropped two stellar releases with Return of the Mac mixtape and Albert Einstein: P=MC 2. Also, his HNIC solo debut was a borderline classic. Havoc also got the Alchemist stimulus package with their impressive joint LP, The Silent Partner. Mobb Deep as a group dropped the classic mixtape, Free Agents, and also had other dope albums such as Infamy. Their underrated debut, which featured production from DJ Premier and Large Professor, was also a sleeper. Also do not forget that The Infamous is arguably a top five rap album ever. OutKast, outside of their three album run, did not put out music that fed their day one fans well despite have their biggest hits late in their career. The artistic expression of OutKast was always more of an eclectic journey than your average rapper. However, by the time Stankonia arrived, the experimentation in their music pushed creative boundaries where their music began to transcend traditional hip hop. The group evolved into more of an alternative pop and hip hop blend. While they do deserve credit for pushing the creative boundaries of their music, OutKast’s last couple of albums did not match the quality of their core three albums. The same can be said about Mobb Deep too, but they still catered to their and were able to still deliver great projects. The Mobb takes round one with more consistent quality projects during their career.

Winner: Mobb Deep

Impact

Both duos had an immeasurable impact on the landscape of hip hop. OutKast put Atlanta, which is now the southern Mecca of hip hop, on the map with their funky brand of hip hop. Their music promoted individuality in artists. OutKast paved the way for southern artists to be unapologetically southern, in their slang, accents, and fashion. They embodied the phrase “The South got something to say” in embracing their southern roots, instilling pride in future southern rappers. However, Mobb Deep changed East Coast rap forever. Their “dun language” had everyone from New York City copying their slang. They were the East Coast’s answer to NWA and gangsta rap that had taken over the industry in the early 90’s. Prodigy and Havoc captured the raw street energy of NYC streets in the 90’s, creating a sound that has influenced the underground rap scene til present times. “Shook Ones Pt. 2” is regarded as a top 10 rap song of all time. Mobb Deep completely redefined hardcore east coast rap music. Their music influenced a whole generation of rappers to be authentic in depicting the mentality of the real streets. Rappers copied their slang and NYC artists dramatically escalated gun talk in their rhymes. You can hear their impact on rap from The Lox and The Ruff Ryders from the 90’s all the way up to the present day with crews like Griselda. While OutKast ushered in Atlanta’s rap scene, you do not hear their influence as much on Atlanta’s sound. Future Atlanta rappers embraced a more uptempo street style, where lyricism took a back seat to catchy hooks, ad libs, and simplistic bars. Since the Mobb epitomized the sound of a whole region of the country for generations to come, the infamous duo gets the W with their incalculable impact on the culture.

Winner: Mobb Deep

Lyricism

The knock on Southern rappers is their lack of lyrical dexterity. For the most part this is true, as lyricism is not embraced down South as much as the East Coast. However, there are exceptions. What distinguishes OutKast from most of their southern peers is the bar seminars they conduct on each one of their albums. Both OutKast and Mobb Deep have been praised by critics and fans for their lyricism. While Hav and Pee have proven to be formidable lyricists in their own right, Andre and Big Boi are on another planet when it comes to the bars. The Mobb is more “one note” when it comes to their subject matter. Outside of the streets, their music does not deeply delve into other topics the way OutKast demonstrates in their music. OutKast can do street talk well, but have a proven capability to rap about anything and make it sound hot. Their out-of-the-box thinking offer more of variety and substance in their music. OutKast allows themselves the freedom to take a deeper examination into human condition. While Mobb Deep takes a more straight-forward approach to lyricism, OutKast’s layered songwriting provides a more though provoking listening experience for rap fans. The less traditionalist attitude towards making music allows OutKast the latitude to experiment with different vocal sounds, flows, and deliveries. Thus, OutKast reside on a higher tier of lyricism than the Queens legends.

Winner: OutKast

Production

Havoc from Mobb Deep is revered as one of the greatest producers in the history of the genre. Known for chopping up samples until the original song is almost unrecognizable, his solo production on Mobb albums as well as his with Prodigy on earlier albums created a dark, grimy sound inspired by the gritty streets of New York. With contributions from legendary producers Q-Tip and The Alchemist, Mobb Deep was able to immerse you in the seedy underbelly of their dangerous surroundings. While they created beats that emphasized the real side of life, OutKast’s production took you into another world. With the help of Organized Noize and Mr. DJ, OutKast inspired a groovier sound. While Havoc relied more on digging in the crates and beat machines, OutKast employed live instruments in their music, allowing Andre and Big Boi to give pieces of themselves over soulful melodies. The organic nature of OutKast’s sound created an introspective soundtrack that appealed to a wider audience. The crispness of OutKast’s beats sounded as if they were mixed better than Havoc’s trademark dirty sound. The progressive direction of their production placed OutKast in a class of their own, with a style too hard to duplicate.

Winner: OutKast

Stage Performance

Perhaps no single component is more important in hip hop than a rapper’s ability to command a crowd. Proper emceeing is vital to a rapper’s chances at being mentioned with the best emcees. Like most artists, both OutKast and Mobb Deep have had their fair share of mixed reviews when it comes to their live shows. The general consensus overall is favorable to OutKast. Known for their energetic performances, 3 Stacks and Big Boi have been known to be highly engaged with their fans at their shows. Some critics say OutKast lack structure in their live sets. In that capacity, their stage shows mirror the improvised and unpredictable spirit of their music. You cannot say Mobb Deep’s shows are not vigorous in their own right. However, they have a reputation of not interacting with the crowd enough and appearing disinterested in moments during their performances. Thus, a Mobb Deep show lacks the needed intensity to captivate concertgoers the way OutKast has exhibited. OutKast’s ability to hype up a more responsive crowd makes for a more intriguing concert experience that lives up to their legendary status.

Winner: OutKast

Family Tree

You are only as strong as the circle you keep. Both Mobb Deep and OutKast kept a talented, but tight circle. The Mobb had many affiliates that made up their supporting cast. The Infamous Mobb consisting of Big Twin, Godfather Pt. 3, and Ty Knitty. Bars and Hooks for a brief stint. Rapper Big Noyd that has been a frequent guest on the Mobb albums. The singer, Chinky, with her sinister vocals. Perhaps the biggest addition to the Mobb’s musical lineage is The Alchemist. Outside of Alchemist becoming an all-time great producer, no artist in the Mobb’s crew had a huge impact on the game. OutKast was a different story altogether. They assembled the southern version of The Avengers with The Dungeon Family. Consisting of Goodie Mob, Cool Breeze, Organized Noize, Witch Doctor, Killer Mike, and others. In addition to OutKast, Goodie Mob, as well as Cee-Lo as a solo artist, Cool Breeze, and Killer Mike all enjoyed success as individual artists. The collaborative efforts of The Dungeon Family helped bridge the gap between different generations with artists like Janelle Monae and Future being added to the roster throughout the years. The innovative creativity demonstrated by crew members in their work made them more accessible to different demographics when compared to Mobb Deep crew members, who more or less stuck to the script of street anthems. A deeper bench with more talented team members gives The Dungeon Family a higher seed and in the standings.

Winner: OutKast

Overall Winner: OUTKAST

As stated earlier, I LOVE and ADMIRE the music of both Mobb Deep and OutKast. I grew up listening to Mobb Deep, but have grown to appreciate OutKast’s music an old head almost just as much. Ultimately it comes down to style preference. In a way it is hard to compare the two hip hop behemoths because of how different their music is between them. Makes for a compelling discussion over which group is superior to the other. Ignoring any regional bias, BOTH Andre and Big Boi have demonstrated their expertise in marrying complex lyricism with quality songwriting. OutKast edges Mobb Deep, but not by a wide margin. With a loaded catalog featuring music that defined a specific decade and influenced everything after, Mobb Deep are automatic first ballot hall-of-famers in this thing we call hip hop. You cannot go wrong with picking either duo. Both have left their indelible footprints on the landscape of hip hop music. At the end of the day, I remain a huge fan of Mobb Deep’s work. But, I have to keep it real. With groundbreaking music, unique styles, daring fashion, a strong supporting lineup, and thrilling live shows, OutKast checks all the boxes. At the very least, they have a strong case of being regarded as the greatest duo in hip hop. Peace to both Mobb Deep and OutKast for their contributions to hip hop that will outlive all of us. Rest in peace Prodigy.