"ATLiens" is the second studio album by the American hip-hop duo OutKast, released on August 27, 1996, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The album was recorded from 1995 to 1996 at various studios in Atlanta, including Bosstown, Doppler, PatchWerk, Purple Dragon, and Studio LaCoCo, as well as Chung King Recording Studio and Sound On Sound Recording in New York City.
The album is known for its outer space-inspired production, featuring a blend of dub and gospel influences. OutKast, along with producers Organized Noize, experimented with self-production for the first time. Lyrically, the duo explores themes such as urban life, existential introspection, and extraterrestrial concepts. The title ATLiens merges "ATL" (for Atlanta, Georgia, their hometown) with "aliens," reflecting the feeling of being disconnected from mainstream American culture.
ATLiens debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold nearly 350,000 copies within its first two weeks. Critics praised the album's innovative sound and lyrical depth. It achieved double platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with shipments of two million copies in the U.S. The album produced notable singles like "Elevators (Me & You)," "ATLiens" / "Wheelz of Steel," and "Jazzy Belle," and is often listed among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
