OutKast

Lyrics

[Intro: André 3000]
One, two
One, two, three, yeah!

[Verse 1: André 3000]
Inslumnational, underground
Thunder pounds when I stomp the ground (Woo!)
Like a million elephants or silverback orangutans
You can't stop the train
Who want some? Don't come unprepared
I'll be there, but when I leave there
Better be a household name
Weatherman tellin' us it ain't gon' rain
So now we sittin' in a drop-top, soakin' wet
In a silk suit, tryin' not to sweat
Hit somersaults without the net
But this'll be the year that we won't forget
The 1-9-9-9 Anno Domini, anything goes
Be what you wanna be as long as you know
Consequences are given for livin'
The fence is too high to jump in jail
Too low to dig, I might just touch hell—hot!
Get a life, now they on sale
Then I might cast you a spell
Look at what came in the mail
A scale and some Arm & Hammer
Soul-gold grill and a baby mama
Black Cadillac and a pack of Pampers
Stack of questions with no answers
Cure for cancer, cure for AIDS
Make a nigga wanna stay on tour for days
Get back home, things are wrong
Well not really, it was bad all along
Before you left adds up to a ball of power
Thoughts at a thousand miles per hour
Hello, ghetto, let yo' brain breathe
Believe there's always mo', ow!
[Chorus: André 3000 & Morris Brown College Gospel Choir]
Don't pull the thang out, unless you plan to bang
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Yeah, ha, ha, yeah)
Don't even bang unless you plan to hit something
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Yeah, oh-ah)
Don't pull the thang out, unless you plan to bang
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Ha, ha, ha, yeah)
Don't even bang unless you plan to hit something
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!

[Verse 2: Big Boi]
Uno, dos, tres, it's on
Did you ever think a pimp rock a microphone?
Like that there, boy, and will still stay street
Big things happen every time we meet
Like a track team, crack fiend dyin' to geek
OutKast bumpin' up and down the street
Slant back Cadillac, 'bout five niggas deep
75 MC's freestylin' to the beat
'Cause we get crunk, stay drunk, at the club
Shoulda bought an ounce, but you copped a dub
Shoulda held back, but you throwed a punch
'Posed to meet your girl but you packed a lunch
No D to the U to the G for you
Got a son on the way by the name of Bamboo
Got a little baby girl, four-year—Jordan
Never turned my back on my kids, for them
Should've hit it, quit it, rag-top
Before you re-up, get a laptop
Make a business for yourself, boy, set some goals
Make a fat diamond out of dusty coal
Record number four, but we on a roll
Hold up, slow up, stop, "Control"
Like Janet, Planet, Stankonia's on ya
Moving like Floyd, comin' straight to Florida
Lock all your windows, then block the corridors
Pullin' off my belt 'cause a whipping's in order
Like a three-piece fish 'fore I cut your daughter
Yo quiero Taco Bell, then I hit the border
Pitty-pat rappers tryna get to five
I'm a microphone fiend tryin' to stay alive
When you come to ATL, boy, you better not hide
'Cause the Dungeon Family gon' ride, ha-ha!
[Chorus: André 3000 & Morris Brown College Gospel Choir]
Don't pull the thang out, unless you plan to bang
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Ah, yeah)
Don't even bang unless you plan to hit something
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Ah, yeah)
Don't pull the thang out, unless you plan to bang
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah! (Y'all over, yeah)
Don't even bang unless you plan to hit something
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!

[Break: Morris Brown College Gospel Choir]
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!
Bombs over Baghdad, yeah!

[Bridge: André 3000, Big Boi]
André
B-I-G
B-O-I
Bob, bob, bob, bob
OutKast
South of Georgia

[Outro: André 3000 & Morris Brown College Gospel Choir]
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top
Bob your head, rag-top (One, two, one, two, three, let's go!)
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival
Power music, electric revival

Hey music lovers! Today, I want to take you on a journey through one of the most electrifying and politically charged songs of all time - "B.O.B." by OutKast. This groundbreaking single, released as the lead track from their fourth album, Stankonia, catapulted OutKast to greater heights and solidified their status as pioneers in the world of hip-hop. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to dive into the mesmerizing world of "B.O.B."

About B.O.B.

From the moment you hit play, "B.O.B." hits you like a sonic hurricane. Combining the cosmic funk vibes of their sophomore album, ATLiens, with the consciousness-raising lyrics of their third album, Aquemini, OutKast took things to a whole new level with this explosive and psychedelic bass-driven anthem.

Delving into the condition of the ghetto, "B.O.B." serves as a powerful commentary on the social and political realities of the time. It cleverly incorporates a few political references to convey its message, although its title, which stands for "Bombs Over Baghdad," often misconstrued its meaning. One year after its release, the tragic events of September 11th inadvertently turned "B.O.B." into an anthem during the Iraq War, which lasted from 2003 to 2011, adding an unexpectedly poignant layer to the track's significance.

In a 2019 interview with Rick Rubin on his Broken Record podcast, André 3000, one-half of OutKast, revealed that the music of Rage Against the Machine played a vital role in inspiring the creation of "B.O.B." Feeling the urgency in Rage Against the Machine's music, André sought to infuse a similar level of energy into OutKast's work. While the final result may not resemble Rage Against the Machine's sound, the essence and spirit that their music exuded are undeniably present in the dynamism of "B.O.B."

Upon its release, "B.O.B." made an indelible mark on the music scene, gaining both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song reached its peak on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, securing the 69th position. On top of that, "B.O.B." received a coveted platinum certification, further cementing its status as a timeless classic.

Revered by many as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, "B.O.B." has garnered numerous accolades. Rolling Stone magazine honored the track by ranking it as the 50th greatest hip-hop song ever created, while Pitchfork went even further, declaring it the greatest song of the 2000s. The recognition and acclaim bestowed upon "B.O.B." are a testament to OutKast's unparalleled artistry and their ability to create music that resonates with listeners on a profound level.

So, next time you're in the mood for a mind-bending and pulse-pounding musical experience, don't forget to add "B.O.B." by OutKast to your playlist. Let the contagious energy and thought-provoking lyrics transport you to a world where music becomes a vehicle for social change and self-expression.

Woo-hoo! It's time to get lost in the mesmerizing sonic landscape of "B.O.B." - a song that defies categorization, blurs boundaries, and continues to captivate audiences with its electrifying magic.

• Release Date: September 19, 2000
• Artist: OutKast