"Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" is the fifth studio album by the American duo Outkast, released on September 23, 2003, through Arista Records. This ambitious double album features solo projects from both members: Big Boi's Speakerboxxx and André 3000's The Love Below. Originally intended as separate releases, the two solo efforts were combined due to label concerns about releasing solo albums at the time.
Big Boi's Speakerboxxx leans heavily into Southern hip hop and progressive rap, influenced by the funk of Parliament-Funkadelic. In contrast, André 3000's The Love Below departs from traditional hip hop, embracing pop, funk, jazz, psychedelia, and progressive soul, drawing significant inspiration from Prince. While The Love Below was solely produced by André 3000, Speakerboxxx featured contributions from several producers, including André 3000 himself.
Lyrically, Speakerboxxx addresses socially conscious topics such as single parenthood, philosophy, and politics, while The Love Below explores themes of love and relationships. The album boasts an impressive roster of collaborators, including Sleepy Brown, Killer Mike, Ludacris, Jay-Z, and Norah Jones.
Critically acclaimed, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was celebrated for its diverse sound and innovative approach. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 509,000 copies in its first week, and eventually achieved diamond certification by the RIAA in December 2004. At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, the album won Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, making it only the second hip hop album to receive the former honor.
The album produced five singles, with "Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move" both reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making Outkast the first duo to replace themselves at number one. Other singles like "Roses" also enjoyed chart success, while "GhettoMusick" and "Prototype" were less impactful.
Promotion for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below included extensive media appearances and performances, often featuring the duo separately, which fueled speculation about their future as a group. Despite concerns regarding their potential disbandment, both members denied any plans to separate.
The album is credited with revitalizing the double album format in hip hop and popularizing conscious hip hop themes. By September 2023, it had sold over 11 million copies worldwide and, following an RIAA certification update to 13-times platinum, became the highest-certified rap album of all time.
