Great Music While High: Outkast’s Idlewild Soundtrack

I won’t go so far as saying that everyone is familiar with dynamite hip hop duo Outkast, but I think it is a safe bet to assume that most people have at least heard of them or have wiggled their ass to one of their signature beats. What is lesser known is that, in 2006, Outkast (Andre 3000 and Big Boi) wrote and starred in an old timey hip hop musical called Idlewild.

The film met with middling success and seemed to vanish back into the creative aether from whence it came. For the record, I love the film. It just smacks of all the funky gangsta soul music that Outkast has been giving us for years.

The soundtrack to Idlewild is simply wonderful. Andre and Big Boi really exhibit their ability to cross-genre pollinate and grow some fantastic music. The songs range from stunningly soulful to downright slap-happy funky.

I’ll post some links to a few of my favorites, but I hope you’ll give the film a shot too and maybe you can experience the music as it happens in line with the plot. At the end of the day, though, what makes these songs great is what makes damn near everything Outkast touches great: I defy you to listen to them and not shake your booty. I was once driving while listening to Outkast and nearly funked myself into a telephone pole. It’s almost too dangerous to listen to while you need to focus elsewhere.

This is what might be considered the title track, “Idlewild Blue”:

“PJ & Rooster” is a fun little number to tap your feet to:

This next song, “Call the Law” is one of my absolute favorites, it tells the story of the wife of a cheating husband who finally snaps. It’s gold:

And lastly, we have “Mutron Angel” a bittersweet soul song:

Thank you for your time, Weedists. Please give Idlewild a listen and let me know if you were able to keep your asses still!

Check out other posts from Weedist’s Great Music While High series!